i 9 2 THE IDYL OF THE SPLIT-BAMBOO 



was thoroughly cleaned), suits our present purpose 

 likewise. 



As already has been mentioned, the writer applies 

 the first, diamond windings and the initial coat of 

 varnish soon after the rod-joints are glued up and 

 dry. No attempt then is made to flow it on, but 

 care is taken to have it worked thoroughly into and 

 around all of the silk-windings, using short strokes 

 of the brush in all directions. For this coat, the 

 varnish may advantageously be thinned with turpen- 

 tine but not adding more than twenty per-cent 

 for better penetration of the silk; and likewise for 

 the second application, which includes only the solid- 

 wrappings about the guides and ferrule-ends, etc. 

 When at this take care not to gum up the exposed 

 metal parts. Dilute the varnish but little, if at all, 

 for the subsequent coats. To insure a good flow, 

 have it warm while in use, by standing its container 

 in hot water. 



A satisfactory way of keeping varnish for future 

 use, after the original can has been opened, is to 

 transfer it to a wide-mouthed bottle, which must 

 be kept tightly corked; to be on the safe side against 

 evaporation and thickening, cover the exposed part 

 of the cork with melted paraffine. 



Spar varnish being an elastic varnish, dries neither 

 as hard nor as soon as does coach or cabinet var- 

 nish; some kinds of the latter may be rubbed within 

 a few hours following a fresh application on a good 



