Rod-making. 



209 



out these knots, and splice on a piece to be the smaller 

 end of the tip. The process is explained in the Chapter 

 on Repairs. This splice should be at least three inches 

 long should be glued, and made with care to insure a 

 perfect fit, and that the rind on one part meets that on 

 the other. The rind or exterior cuticle should be con- 

 tinuous on the longer part of the tip, thus : 



Fig. 52. A, longer part of tip; B, shorter part of same ; C, rind side; D, pith side. 



This splice should not exceed eighteen inches at most 

 from the small end of the tip, and must be wrapped with 

 silk its whole length when the tip is finished. This is 

 only advisable when your bamboo is really excellent in 

 quality, and you feel that you 

 cannot afford to throw aside 

 any that can by possibility be 

 made available. Make your 

 first effort with your poorest 

 material, reserving the better 

 till you have acquired a little 

 experience. 



Having split out four good 

 strips, level off the knots on 

 the inside with a rasp, and on 

 the outside with a file. Then 

 plane off the edges, trying 

 to get them as square with the rind side as possible, and 

 thus approximate, but only approximate, to your taper. 

 The subsequent steps will be facilitated, if all the strips 



14 



Fig. 53. 



