CHAPTER VI. 

 KNOTTING GUT CASTS. 



Select eight strands so that when they are all tied together they 

 shall form a gradual taper from end to end. After soaking them for 

 twelve hours in soft water, coil four double strands separately, and 

 put the two thickest at the bottom of a tumbler of water. An easy 

 plan of keeping the coils apart from each other is to put a penny 

 piece upon them, one after the other, as they are immersed. Begin 

 by knotting the two finest strands. Coil this length and put it into 

 another tumbler of water. Continue in a similar manner throughout. 



The process of knotting may be described thus : — Lay two ends 

 together so as to overlap each other as much as six inches, and hold 

 them between the left finger and thumb. Catch hold of the under 

 part of the lap and fold it back behind and above the work, so as to 

 make a loop which is to be held with the left fore-finger. Now bring 

 the point of it up towards you under the work, carry it on and place 

 it twice through the loop from you. You will then have reached the 



