CHAP, cm, 



SAIACAK'EM. SA LAX. 



147^ 



on each side of each rib, and turned upwards ; the whole being kept in an 

 upright position by being hound slightly together at their upper extremities. 

 Rods are now interwoven between these upright rods, as high as required for 

 the depth of the basket; alter which the rods are loosened at the top, and 

 their ends brought down and plaited into an (h]<zc or brim, which, as we have 

 before observed with regard to splitting the willows, is an operation much 

 more easily and rapidly performed than described. A small round basket or 

 hamper is now produced, like those in which potatoes are exposed for sale in 

 the London markets, and to this a handle ma}' be added by inserting in the 

 interwoven part of the sides two or three rods close together, at opposite 

 points of the rim, pushing them down to near the bottom, and plaiting their 

 upper ends together so as to form a handle. A handle is also sometimes made 

 by forcing down the ends of a thick rod, in the woven work, before the rim is 

 completed; and plaiting it round two or more of the ends of the rods which 

 form the ribs from each side. The durability of the Scotch basket is much 

 greater than that of the English one; not only on account of the greater 

 durability of the handle and ribs, but, in the case of peeled rods, by the bark 

 being loosened by boiling, instead of by the rising of the sap. 



Both modes of basket-making will readily be understood from the following 

 figures : — 



Fig. 1277. shows the handle and rim of the commonest form of Scotch 

 basket, made fast at the points of intersection. 



Fig. 1278. shows the same skeleton, with the ribs of one side added, and 

 the wattling, or woven work, commenced. 



1279 



Fig, 1279. shows the commencement of the English mode of basket-making ; 

 in which a represents the six rods that are to form the bottom of the basket, 



5d 2 



