76 THE IDYL OF THE SPLIT-BAMBOO 



little, so as to make the strips narrower on the in- 

 side (pith side). We then place the strip in one or 

 the other of our wooden grooves most appropri- 

 ate as determined by the size of the joint under con- 

 struction with this smooth beveled edge and the 

 enamel surface lying against their respective sides 

 of the groove, and proceed to cut down the other 

 side to a surface parallel with the face of the mold. 

 Plane a little first on one, then on the other of these 

 split sides of the strip, alternately, until the strip 

 very nearly fits flush, with its enamel side up, into 

 this wooden groove, which is larger than the steel 

 groove that you will make use of for the final dress- 

 ing-down. 



Before you reach this stage, it will however be- 

 come necessary to adopt some method both of hold- 

 ing the strip while planing and of guarding against 

 cutting your fingers with the razor-like edges which 

 bamboo presents when cut to triangular form; for 

 no other holding device can compare either in sim- 

 plicity or efficiency with the thumb and finger of one 

 hand. But if these are unprotected, as the plane 

 takes a firmer bite occasionally, the strip will be 

 pulled or pushed between the fingers and a deep and 

 painful cut will result, which though it may heal 

 readily enough, still it interferes with business. The 

 edges are sharp enough to make a clean cut even 

 though the heavy leather of an old walking-glove, 

 which the writer uses on .his left or holding hand; 



