Pod-making. 223 



excess, and also to treat each side alike, lest your fer- 

 rules set crooked when in position. You will thus take 

 the taper out of a few inches at that part of your joint, 

 which will then be of uniform diameter, and you must 

 work with that end in view; for the rod is flexible, but 

 the ferrule is not, and this method seems best to harmo- 

 nize these discordant characteristics. Then reduce the 

 joint to an octagon, and after that test and round as be- 

 fore. The next step is to fit the ferrules, for which use 

 your scraper, file, and care. Locate the male ferrules so 

 that the excess of length originally allowed will protrude 

 beyond them; and after the ferrule is fastened, cut off 

 this excess. You will thus be rid of the holes, and for 

 this purpose the extra length was allowed. If you get 

 the wood a little too small you need not break your heart 

 over it, since many purposely do this, and then enlarge 

 the wood to fit by wrapping it with thread, claiming that 

 the ferrules thus hold better, and are less likely to be- 

 come loose. If you use thread for this purpose, wind it 

 on evenly, so one part does not overlay another (unless 

 more than one layer is required to make a fit), and paste 

 it down with some of the cement you propose to fasten 

 your ferrules with. Then melt the cement thoroughly 

 through the thread, completely saturating it. Next warm 

 your ferrule, place a small piece of cement inside on that 

 part which is to be united to the joint, and work it about 

 with a small stick till the inside is coated. 



In setting a female, or outside, ferrule, it must not be 

 pushed on beyond the proper distance, or a part of that 

 portion of its interior intended to receive the male fer- 

 rule may become coated with cement, and compel the 

 removal and cleansing of the ferrule. To avoid the pos- 

 sibility of this, prepare a piece of wood one-sixteenth of 



