om which
to attach the bow-string. A cord with as little elasticity as possible
should be used for this. A good string can be purchased for twenty-five
cents.

[Illustration: Notch for Bowstrings; Length of Bow 5 feet. Wire nail with
head cut off (arrow head) Old Canvas Stuffed (target); Loop (in
bowstring); slip knot.]

With a home-made bow-string, a loop should be made in one end and bound
with thread, as shown in illustration, p. 227. Slip the loop over the
upper notch, bend the bow until the center of the string is about five
inches away from the handle, and attach the loose end to the lower notch
by means of a slip-knot similar to that shown in the drawing. The bow
should then be sandpapered until smooth, and thoroughly oiled with linseed
oil. Glue a piece of velvet about three inches wide around the center for
a handle."

Making Arrows

Arrows are divided into three parts: the head, sometimes called the pile,
the shaft and the feathers. The shaft is generally made of hickory, ash,
elm or pine, and its length is dependent upon that of the bow. For a
five-foot bow, make the length two feet and the width and thickness about
one-half inch. For target practice a wire nail driven into the end of the
pile, as shown on page 227, with the head of the nail filed off and
pointed, makes an excellent head. Feathering is the next operation. Turkey
and goose feathers are generally used. Strip off the broader side of the
vane of three feathers and glue them to the shaft one inch and a quarter
from the notch, spacing them equally from each other. One feather should
be placed at right angles to the notch. This is known as the cock feather
and should always point away from the bow when the arrow is shot.

Archery

The rules for the five essential points are these:

Standing: In taking position to draw the bow, the heels must be seven to
eight inches apart, feet firm on the ground, yet easy and springy, not
rigid.

Nocking: This is manipulating the bow string. Hold the string with two
fingers and the arrow between the first and second fingers. Grip firmly,
but not so as to give awkwardness to any finger.

Drawing: In drawing stand with the left shoulder toward the target,
turning the head only from the neck and looking over the left shoulder.
Then raise the bow with the left hand, keeping the upper end inclined one
or two degrees from the body. With the right hand draw the arrow to
chin-level and below the ear.

Holding