214 



T.HE IERIGATION AGE. 



The proper way to form the square knot is to 

 do all the tying with one end. Figure 3 shows how 

 to start it by placing the left-hand end on top of the 

 right-hand rope. This left-hand end is then turned 

 around the main part of the right-hand rope as in 

 Figure 4, then kept going in the same direction 

 around the right-hand end which has been bent over 

 as in Figure 5. Figure 6 shows the knot before it 

 is pulled up tight. Notice that the end and stand- 

 ing part of each rope lie parallel with each other 



through the loop of the opposite 

 rope. Figure 1 shows the finished 

 knot. 



A modification of the square 

 knot known as the surgeon's knot 

 is often used in tying up pack- 

 ages. The end used in tying is 

 passed twice around the other 

 rope instead of once, as in the 

 square knot, then twice around 

 the other end as shown in Figure 

 7. In tying up a package, pass 

 the end around the other cord 

 twice and then pull both ends 

 sidewise. This will keep the cord 

 from slipping and do away with 

 the necessity of holding the first 

 half of the knot with the finger 

 while making the second half. 



The weaver's knot is used in 

 tying two ropes, strings, or straps 

 together. To learn to tie it in the 

 quickest way, place the left-hand 

 end over the right-hand end as in 

 Figure 8, and hold it there with 

 the left thumb ; then loop the 

 standing part of the right-hand 

 rope around its own end as shown 



in Figure 9. Next put the end of 

 the left-hand rope A in Figure 9 

 down through the loop beside the 

 left thumb and take hold of it as 

 in Figure 10. To finish the knot 

 pull on the main part (not the 

 end) of the right-hand rope and 

 the result will be as shown in 

 Figure 11. After a little practice 

 a person will be able to tie this 

 knot more quickly than the square 

 knot. It is not so likely to be- 

 come jammed too tight to untie 

 as is the square knot. It is the best knot for tying 

 together two leather straps, as, for instance, in case 

 the lines have to be tied together in hitching up a 

 four-horse team. Figure 12 is a modification of the 

 weaver's knot which is often made use of in uniting 

 two straps. A slit is cut in the end of one strap and 

 the other end is passed through the slit and around 

 the strap and under itself. 



The bowline is one of the most useful of all 

 knots. It will not slip, and it never becomes 

 jammed. There are several ways of tying this, but 

 one of the easiest ways is shown in Figures 13, 14 

 and 15. The end of the rope is placed around some 

 object and an over-hand loop or turn is made in the 

 main or standing part, as the sailors call it, of the 

 rope. The end is then passed down through the 

 loop, as in Figure 13, around the standing part of 

 the rope and up through the loop as in Figure 14, 

 so that the two parts passing through the loop lie 

 parallel to each other. Figure 15 shows the com- 

 pleted knot. No matter how much strain is put 

 upon the rope it will always be easy to untie. 



The double bowline, or bowline on a bight, is 

 used when it is desirable to hitch to any other part 

 of a rope than the end. To make this, take a loop 

 of the rope and tie a loose over-hand knot as in 



