A hook must be fixed in some convenient place to make the waxends on, or, as they are called in the trade, “threads,” which term it will be as well to call them by here; thus a four-cord thread means a thread or waxend containing four strands of hemp, a six-cord contains six strands, and so on.  One of the greatest difficulties for the amateur is to produce a well-formed thread.  He generally finds it thicker a few inches from the point than at any other part.  These are known in the trade as bull-necked threads; and as the mechanic finds it difficult to use them when his employer starts a new apprentice and gives him this job for the men, I must impress on the worker here the necessity of making them as perfect as possible.  It would be as well if a little practice was given at breaking the hemp in the way which produces good points.  Better waste a few yards of hemp than be compelled to abandon a thread after making only a few stitches with it.

Gripe the hemp firmly between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand, leaving about eight or nine inches hanging loosely down; lay this over the thigh of the right leg, and with the right hand rub it in a downward direction, which will cause the twisted strand to loosen.  One good stroke should be sufficient; if not, it must be repeated until the fibers forming the strand are quite loosened.  By holding it close to the end with the right hand, and giving it a jerk with the left, the fibers will break, and the ends of the strands formed in this way are placed at a little distance one above another, which, when twisted, form a smooth, tapering point.

To cast off a thread the proper way is to stand at a distance of about three feet from the hook previously mentioned, and by holding the end of the hemp in the left hand, pass it over the hook and bring it down with the right, then holding with the left and breaking as above.  When sufficient strands to form the thread have been broken off, carefully examine the points to see that they taper properly, and have no lumps in them.  Rub the wax up and down a few times, so that the thread may be properly waxed on that portion which will be inside when twisted.  Hold the two ends in the left hand, and with the right roll each end separately down the right leg a sufficient number of times to twist the thread throughout.  Judgment will be required in this operation, or the thread will be a constant source of trouble if it is over-twisted.  Wax it again, and then it is ready for use.  See that the points are well waxed, then take a needle and pass the point of the thread through the eye until it nearly reaches that part which would stop its progress.

It must now be turned down on to the thicker portion and carefully twisted.  Smooth it down, then take the other end of thread and another needle, and fasten it on in the same way.  In selecting the awl to be used, do not take a very large one.  The hole should be just large enough for the thread to require a slight pull to get it through.