120 THE IDYL OF THE SPLIT-BAMBOO 



Most assuredly, if it be possible to glue and wind 

 joints so that most of the glue remains where it is 

 wanted, and with but a minimum thereof affection- 

 ately attaching to the hands, and if the joints can 

 be wound in one direction only, and all this be ac- 

 complished while at the same time straightening in- 

 stead of twisting the joints, such a technic is highly 

 desirable from all standpoints those of progress, 

 comfort, and efficiency. We presently will explain 

 our path to this end. It is not to be expected, how- 

 ever, from any method of gluing, that the meekest 

 gluer may avoid becoming palpably " stuck-up." 

 But a little hot water readily removes the glue from 

 your hands if not its remoter effects from your 

 conscience which thus should be unburdened at 

 sundry interludes, as shall faithfully be noted. 



We are reminded here of the illuminating reply 

 received by one who was attempting to lure from a 

 professional rod-maker, canny as famous, the exact 

 details of his gluing process. The query, " By the 

 way, Tom, how do you glue up? " elicited: ' Why, 

 how do you suppose? With glue, of course." 

 The anecdote serves as an introduction to the sub- 

 ject of glue itself. 



The descriptive catalogs of most rod-manufac- 

 turers will tell how each one's brand of rod is made 

 with a special, secret " waterproof cement," of won- 

 derful adhesive and cohesive qualities; how even the 

 bamboo employed is of a particularly superior 



