THE APAREJO 27 



to occupy before inserting. Place butt end on the 

 aparejo resting on the lower edge of the boot-stick in 

 line with the stitching of collar at its forward end. 

 Cut the stick at the place indicated by the forward 

 part of the stitching and round off the end. 



The aparejo should be ribbed as described with a 

 gradually diminishing diameter of ribs until the for- 

 ward half of the ribs are in place. Then begin at the 

 rear in the same manner as described and rib forward, 

 beginning at the rear with the rib of smallest diameter 

 and steadily increasing toward the center. 



The aparejo is now ribbed. 



Padding the Aparejo. — Hay, of the proper quality, 

 is the most easily obtained padding under almost all 

 circumstances. The best hay is the thin, wiry grass 

 such as is often used for the ordinary packing of mer- 

 chandise. It must be of even quality and of such a 

 character that it does not mat, but can be easily sep- 

 arated and diminished in any spot desired yet without 

 disturbing or distorting the whole mass of adjoining 

 padding. Mosj or similar substances may be used in 

 emergencies. 



A stick for tamping is now needed and the end is 

 shown in the illustration; the grooved end shown is 

 for the purpose of holding a grip on the hay. 



Stand the aparejo up on its boots with the hand 

 holes facing out. In small quantities the hay is intro- 

 duced into the aparejo and pressed into the corners of 

 the boots. Tamp well with the stick. The four cor- 

 ners should each be equal. 



Along the center of the boot the hay is tamped 

 lightly. The boot when tamped should have a thick- 

 ness of about 4 inches and a depth of about the same. 



Now spread the aparejo out upon the ground with 

 the hand holes uppermost. Examine it to see that 

 the ribs are all in place and adjust any that have been 

 worked out of position. 



Through the hand holes introduce one layer of hay 

 spreading it evenly over the ribs. The tamping stick 

 may be used to reach the more remote sections. Be 

 sure that the hay lies evenly and of an equal thickness, 

 without lumps or variations in thickness. Then lay 

 in a second course of hay. Experience alone can de- 



