is a wheel made of many layers of cloth, leather, 
etc., which revolves very rapidly. For pipe 
buffing these buffs are usually Tripoli buff, 
sheepskin buff, muslin and cotton flannel buff. 
The Tripoli takes off any sediment held by the 
edges of the grain. The sheepskin buff burns 
the color fast into the wood. The muslin and 
cotton bring out the grain and gives the wood 
its final delicate lustre and finish, which are 
done when the stem and mountings have been 
put on. The pipes are then ready for final 
stamping with name and packing. The process 
is much the same with all other hard woods. 
Pipe factories are found in most countries. 
French briar pipes are justly celebrated, but 
the American pipes are better made. 
Within recent years calabash has come into 
vogue to a large extent as a pipe making ma- 
terial. The calabash is a South African squash 
and has a special softness of flavor. The curved 
stem end of the calabash is used, being lined 
with plaster of Paris, and quite a large trade 
has sprung up in South Africa in growing 
calabash for the pipe trade, the principal point 
being Cape Town. 
Tue Pire Stem 
It is very important that suitable material be 
selected for the mouthpiece of the pipe. In fact 
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