u8 THE IDYL OF THE SPLIT-BAMBOO 



tie; that the winding this temporary winding co- 

 incident with gluing especially in the case of the 

 lighter joints and tops, will give a spiral twist to the 

 joint which you must overcome by winding in the 

 opposite direction, and crossing the first threads, 

 back to the starting-point; and if, before you get a 

 quarter of the distance on your return trip, the glue 

 has cooled and set so that the twist does not come 

 out as you were counting on, why you heat the joint 

 again (perhaps over an oil- or gas-stove or with a 

 " steam hose ") , and repeat as often as may be neces- 

 sary your fingers the while accumulating stratified 

 layers of rapidly congealing glue, so that they stick to 

 each other and to the bamboo more tightly than the 

 strips seem inclined to stick together and there is 

 glue, glue everywhere, particularly where you least 

 want it, and where it most effectually can obstruct the 

 work in hand. Yes, it is fierce I 



You may be interested to learn that Divine, the 

 Utica, N. Y., rod-maker, once cataloged a special 

 rod having a permanent torsional twist put deliber- 

 ately into it, and he claimed that joints so made are 

 more rigid than those of the standard form of con- 

 struction. Accept whatever of consolation this bit 

 of information may bring. We note also that the 

 addition of a little acetic acid or vinegar to the glue 

 has been recommended for retarding its gelatiniza- 

 tion or setting; personally, we have not found the 

 expedient necessary. 



