i 3 o THE IDYL OF THE SPLIT-BAMBOO 



surface or suspended from their ends while awaiting 

 further attention; do not allow them to stand on 

 end, the ends only being supported, or they may be- 

 come bowed. And as varnish is an effective pre- 

 ventive against the absorption of dampness, and the 

 subsequent warping due to this cause, we apply the 

 first coat very soon, but invariably on a dry day. It 

 also is our personal practise to invest the joints with 

 their first permanent, silk windings after the man- 

 ner described under "Windings and Guides" be- 

 fore they receive this first varnishing. 



A professional method of gluing and winding 

 known to the author as having been employed by 

 at least one maker, is the following: The six strips 

 of a joint are laid alongside each other on their 

 backs or rind surface; glue is applied quickly to all 

 at once by a few rapid strokes of a wide brush ; the 

 strips are brought together and the joint is held at 

 both ends in a lathe; while one worker turns the 

 joint by the lathe handle, another winds it with 

 tape, in overlapping spirals. A hand-rest extends 

 along the front of the lathe. After winding, the 

 joints are hung up by the small end to dry and 

 season, being suspended by means of little clamps. 



