78 THE IDYL OF THE SPLIT-BAMBOO 



so soon as the stroke is fully started as illustrated 

 in Figures I and 2 is likewise an important cau- 

 tion to be heeded in the planing of bamboo-strips, 

 especially for light tops. But if the accident of 

 buckling and fracture should occur, the whole strip 

 is not necessarily ruined for use; if cut off and pieced 

 out with a separate section, at exactly the point 

 A A where a line-guide is subse- 



. -r-^ quently to be placed, such 



^ splinting with the guide will 



A Point where strips join sufficiently reinforce it at this 



end to end, and guide . 



serving as splint point so that there will be no 



perceptible weakness of the completed joint, as re- 

 gards either action or durability. 



The holding-hand, in the first position shown, 

 must be only a few inches in advance of the plane, 

 and it is shifted forward for subsequent strokes, as 

 the plane closely approaches it. The strip under 

 the plane is pushed against the hand so held. As 

 the second or slenderer half of the strip is planed, 

 the holding-hand is shifted to the second position, 

 behind the plane ; and the thumb and forefinger hold- 

 ing the end of the strip, which now is lifted from 

 the groove, prevent the strip from being pulled 

 ahead; and the finishing-stroke, on the smaller half, 

 is a continuous one. 



Another point in the technic here, is that of the 

 direction of the pressure imparted by the holding- 

 hand's thumb and fingers. With the plane behind 



