60 THE IDYL OF THE SPLIT-BAMBOO 



which is known as " slipping the joints " or knots. 

 This means simply that at no circumference of the 

 completed joint should knots be found opposite to 

 each other; thus every weak spot, as indicated by the 

 situation of a knot, is supported by solid, long-fibered 

 enamel all the way around the remainder of the rod 

 at this point. This staggered construction is the 

 American usual and preferable practise, although we 

 know of one of the most famed of British makers 

 who systematically puts three knots in line but on 

 alternate faces of his joints. Probably he thinks 

 that a more subtly harmonious action of the rod 

 is thereby achieved. 



The arrangement of the six narrow strips of a 

 prospective joint, properly assembled preparatory to 

 being trimmed to length, will be something like that 

 shown in the illustration. Insomuch as these nodes 



Slipping or staggering the knots 



/ 



in bamboo are situated varying distances apart, and 

 even in the individual stems they are closer to- 

 ward the butt end of the cane two strips split 

 from parallel parts of one stalk, and one being 

 turned end for end and thus laid up against its mate, 

 will have their knots mismatched or staggered; and 



