-20^ FARMERS' AND MECHANICS^ JOURNAL. 



ON THE PREPARATION OF CATGUT, FOR VARIOUS USES. 



[Perhaps every one does not know that the very useful article 

 known and sold by the name of Catgut, is generally manufactured 

 from the intestines of Sheep. Some kinds are made from the in- 

 testines of horses and other animals, but those of sheep are mostly 

 used for the common kinds.] 



Catgut for Rackets or Battledoors. 



The intestines of sheep, after they have been steeped in alkaline 

 lye, are cut slantwise, if they are in short lengths, and sewed to- 

 gether ; carefully placing the slants in a direction contrary to each 

 other, that the seams may not render the cords of an unequal size. 

 This being done, and the intestines formed into one piece, it must 

 be soaked in ox-blood, to give it the proper color, and then be 

 stretched on a proper frame ; after which, one, two, three, or four 

 of the intestines, according to the required size of the cord, are 

 fixed to a piece of tape, and the other ends are turned twice round 

 a peg. This done, the workman takes the tape, applies it to a 

 hook on a spindle, and gives a few turns of the handle. As the 

 cord shortens by twisting, it must be well stretched ; and when 

 this is effected, the workman squeezes the cord between his finger 

 and thumb throughout its whole length, to remove all its humidi- 

 ty, and produce an equal thickness in every part of it. (Jne or 

 two hours after, he twists it again, and rubs it wiih a horse-hair 

 cord, wetted. 



Thinner cords are made of only one intestine. 



Catgut for Whip-handles. 



Sheep's intestines, prepared with potash, are used for this pur- 

 pose. The workman cuts them slantwise, and sews them together, 

 observing always to keep them of an equal size. They aie then 

 stretched, and twisted at each end : it is very rare that this sort of 

 cord is made of two intestines. They are then bleached, by the 

 fumes of burning sulphur, once or twice ; and sometimes colored ; 

 as they readily receive any dye. Common ink is used for a black 

 color; and red ink for a rose color, which is sometimes rendered 

 lighter by a little sulphuric acid. A green color is given by a 

 composition sold for that purpose, by color-men, to the manufac- 

 turers of catgut. 



Catgut for Hatters'' Bozos. 



These are made of sheep's intestines, of the longest and largest 

 kind, after being prepared with potash, by twisting together from 

 four to twelve of them, according to the size required. They are 

 usually made from 15 to 25 feet long. During the twisting, the 

 cord is placed in a long box, from 18 to 20 inches in breadth, and 

 a few inches high, in order to keep it clean, and prevent it from 

 trailing on the ground. The box is called the refresher. 



This kind of cord must be void of seams and knots ; to accom- 

 plish which, the workman attaches the intestines to a piece of tape. 



