Rod-making. 229 



shaving from one side and then one from the other, and 

 thus alternately, until the strip is flush with the surface 

 of the groove as it lies within it. Lest you should unin- 

 tentionally remove, during this process, something from 

 the grooved strip, and thus destroy the integrity of the 

 groove, which is the sole guide to the required taper and 

 width of the bamboo itself, you were directed to mark 

 the surface ; and that should this accident happen, that 

 it may be of as little moment as possible, hard rather 

 than soft wood was advised for the finishing grooved 

 strips. 



Not only should the glue joints be perfect, and the ac- 

 tion true, but a well-made hexagonal rod should present 

 a perfect hexagon at every part of its length. There- 

 fore all those strips which are to be united together must 

 everywhere correspond in width. This, as well, is deter- 

 mined by your finishing grooved, strips. Indeed I may 

 say they are the key to the position, therefore see to it 

 they are well made. 



Now proceed to number each strip in its intended or- 

 der, to wind them together with string, to examine the 

 character of your glue joints, to draw-file the imperfec- 

 tions, and finally to glue them together, straighten them, 

 and in all things relevant follow the directions for mak- 

 ing four-strip tips, as given in the preceding section. The 

 process of winding on the rings is elsewhere described 

 in this chapter, as well as varnishing, except that the 

 winding should precede the varnishing, and the rubbing 

 down with pumice-stone should be omitted. Between 

 each ring a number of narrow windings should be placed 

 at any distance, less than three inches on the butt, that 

 may suit the fancy. The interval between and width of 

 these windings should gradually diminish towards and to 



