Page 74 - The Ashley Book of Knots

OCCUPATIONAL KNOTS

404. In fringe makmg, and in nets made of material too heavy for

the netting needle, reef knotting is sometimes resorted to.

405. This method is practiced with a needle. It results in a vertical

REEF KNOT, where ;iilii404 is horizontal. A REVERSED or Cow HITCH

is first tied, which is capsized into a REEF KNOT by pulling, as shown

by arrows in the diagram.

406. Dip nets and drawnwork fringes for canvas sea-chest covers ~oS'

may be tied with DOUBLE OVERHAND KNOTS.

The Nurse

407. Sometimes a delirious patient has to be spread-eagled to pre-

vent exhaustion from constant tossing. Strips of sheeting are tied to

the ankles and wrists. The other ends are made fast to the bedposts.
401

Almost invariably the knots are tied so that they tend to shut off cir-

culation and so add to the patient's discomfort. The pro er way to

tie is to make a smooth round turn about the wrist or ank e, and then

finish off with a BOWLINE (~1O 10), close up, but not snug enough

to cause any constriction. This will neither bind nor work loose, yet

it is easily untied. For other knots of interest to the nurse see "House-

wife" and "Surgeon," in this chapter, and "Tourniquets" in the

binder chapter.

The Packer

408. The PACKER'S KNOT will hold a parcel snugly while the cord ,

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is being passed around a second dimension. It is also shown among , "!~ .... ,<'

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the BUTCHER'S KNOTS, where it has a HALF HITCH added. Further •

knots of interest to the packer will be found under "Prospector,"
408

"Florist," and "Stationer" in this chapter, and also in Chapter 27,

"Occasional Knots," and Chapter 28, "Lashings and Slings."

The Poacher

409. The POACHER'S KNOT is a noose used in snaring various game.

A little stockade is built across a spot where woodcock or partridge

are accustomed to pass. Usually it is disguised with a few leafed

twigs. There are frequent arched openings, and in each of these is

suspended a horsehair noose, lightly caught on the bark at the sides.

Birds of this sort will walk along until they find an opening and will

not fly unless startled. 409

410. "Springs" for larks are also fitted with horsehair nooses

hitched to a staked-out anchor line. This trap is heavily baited; the

fonner was not. Both Diderot (1762) and the Sportsmtm's Dictionary

(1810) devote many pages to snaring, netting, and trapping birds . .'

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and game; everything from larks to woodcock and from bears and , - - •••

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wolves to mice is shown. Nooses were even suspended between trees . .. ., --
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for birds to fly into at dusk. See also under "Shooting" and "T rap- , " .... -. ....:.. ...
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per," this same chapter. -'

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