SELECTION, CARE, AND RIGGING 



resort to the harness-maker) and attach a 

 leather handle* at the middle. 



If there is a very pronounced set or warp in 

 any of the joints, the hanging treatment alone 

 is not effective; before applying it over-correct 

 the defective joint by bending it strongly in the 

 opposite direction at the points needing treat- 

 ment, between little wooden pegs thrust into 

 holes in a board, or between partly-driven wire 

 nails the sides of which are padded with a good 

 thickness of cardboard. Leave it thus for a 

 time, but do not neglect to inspect it occa- 

 sionally. Another method is to secure the larger 

 end of the joint between the jaws of your vise, 

 so that the joint will extend horizontally in front 

 of your workbench, and attach a light weight 

 to the unsupported end, and so leave it for a 

 season. This by the way is a handy method 

 of making accurate comparisons as to the rel- 

 ative rigidity of joints or of rods, by measuring 

 the extent of the vertical deflection produced 

 by a definite weight. Or you may support the 

 warped joint at both ends, in such a manner as 

 will prevent its turning on its axis, and hang a 

 weight from the middle. For the very worst 

 cases of "the bends" the only way is to remove 

 wrappings, mountings, and varnish and then to 

 remedy the condition after carefully heating the 

 wood over a lamp or gas flame. 



Rods are often set by the strain of playing 

 7 



