58 EQUIPMENT. 



decoy, than by any explanation I could convey in 

 words. 



White cedar and soft pine are undoubtedly the 

 best woods for decoys, on account both of their 

 extreme lightness and ease of cutting. Pine per- 

 haps is better for heads, being less easily broken, 

 while cedar is the most durable. The timber 

 should be well seasoned and free from knots and 

 sap. For ducks, 2x0 inches is the proper size, 

 but for geese larger timber is needed. 



The timber, being planed on one side and sawed 

 in proper lengths, is next cut around on its edge, 

 according to a pattern representing a horizontal 

 section of the decoy intended. Two pieces are 

 needed for each decoy, which must be gouged out 

 to the proper thickness, thus making the decoy 

 hollow. The head (which has been previously 

 shaped) is fitted and fastened to the top part by 

 a screw from beneath, and the two parts, being 

 roughly hewn into shape in conformation with a 

 side pattern, are, after being nicely fitted, glued 

 or otherwise cemented firmly together, and the 

 decoy rounded and finished smooth. After being 

 thoroughly sand-papered, it should be w^et slightly 

 all over so as to raise the grain of the wood, 

 and when dry should be again sand-papered. If 



