i8o THE IDYL OF THE SPLIT-BAMBOO 



and its outside diameter is 1 %2 inch. You will need 

 for this job a drill-bit, which you can obtain with 

 a square shank for use in a brace in this diam- 

 eter; the wood-boring bits are more coarsely graded 

 in size than are drill-bits. For the nine- or nine and 

 one-half-foot rod, the handgrasp ferrule is % inch, 

 and you want a 1 % 2 -inch drill-bit for 

 boring for its handle socket. 



Place the piece of cedar in the 

 vise at such an angle that will enable 

 you to sight conveniently along the 

 bit as you stand and bore; and bore 

 slowly, and as straight as possible 

 down the center of the wood, to the 

 required depth. 



Now you want to find out just 

 how nearly you have succeeded in 

 centering that hole. To do this, 

 take your butt-joint or any straight 

 stick that will serve winding the 

 end with thread if necessary for a 

 snug fit and thrust this down into 

 the cedar block to the full depth of 

 the boring. Next sight along your 

 joint or stick and see if you have it 

 properly aligned with the grasp. 



Fig. i Independent _ _ ,., , ... r . 



wood grasp Most likely you will find that the 

 present condition of affairs is that represented in 

 Fig. i you have quite a decided angular deflec- 



