Lapp

and are less liable to break. . Bows may be backed with a thin layer

of clarified calfskin or fiber to protect the back from being scratch-

ede A fiber backing, however, is too inelastic and interferes with
the —— action of the bow and ray cut dowm the smoothness of
draw

“there is a difference between defects twida’ ‘bow and deficiencies.
The former exist in nearly every stave and must be compensated for
by the bowyer whon making the bow. Deficioncics rey be of commission
or of omission. Knots, pins, and small worm holes in the belly can
be noutralized by raising or drilling out as a dentist drills out a
decayed tooth, and inserting a "Dutchman", or plug. The back is most

- important. Almost any defcct may be compensated for if the back is

goode Bowstaves are like people; those grown in protected localities,
though beautiful to l@ok at, are often weak and supple and lack char-
acter, whereas those who have had to struggle for an oxistenco ofton
come through scarred and unsightly, but are made of sterner stuff,
Osage Orange and Yew bows may be somewhat crooked and wavy, for thoy
are made so that the profile follows the natural flow of the grain.
Lemonwood bows, however, are syumotrical and pleasing to the cyc.

Bows should be made so that they are quite stiff and bulky in

‘the handle, but bend in an otherwise evon, graceful are from the handle

section to the tipse. The working strains aro thus evenly distributed
and the probability of breaking is at a minimum. A hinged bow is one
that has a sharp bend or "hinge" in ono or both limbs. This places
most of the strain in one place, increasing the chance of breakages

A whip-cnded bow is stiff in the conter and for several inches above
and below the handle, but bends evenly from there to the tips. Whip-.
ended bows are pleasant to use, and are of good cast but are prone
to casy splintering in the back and have an accentuated tendency to
follow tho stings’ A bow that bonds in the handle may describe the
"perfect arc" of the poets, but will kick unmorcifully and be very
disagreoable to use. The handle may be made of velvet, plush, leather,
or cords the material may vary but should be comfortable and firme

The string,. usually of linen, should bo strong cnough for the bow,

but should not be too heavy as this markedly decreascs the cast of the
bowe Absolute lack of stretching is an imperative quality for any
bow string. |

Mr. Hoffman has told you a good deal about bows and their construction,
and while he is catching his breath, I shall say a few words about
their selections When picking out a commertial bow, hove the sales-
man pull the bow to a full draw several times. If it wil] stand this
test you can be sure that it will not immediately break after you
leave the store. This test should be applied by the salesman because
commercial houses will not guaranteo a bow against breakage after it
leaves their place of business. After it is yours, take care that
it is never dravm beyond the point of your normal draws

Do not make the mistake of buying a bow that is too strong.
Ordinarily men should not take up the sport with a bow woighing more
than 42-45 poundss Most womon will start with bows between 20-30
poundse A bow that is too strong will cost the shooter in mie
loss of form, and accuracye

The principal factor in the care of a bow is to see that it is
nover overdrawme It is said that a bow fully draw is 7/8 breken
and for the novice this cannot be over-omphasized. In stringing the