A good knot has three qualities, it must be easy and quick to tie, it must hold fast when pulled tight and must be easy to untie. There are a number of knots which meet these requirements but are adapted to different uses. To learn the various knots which follow take a section of flexible rope about four feet long and three-eighths of an inch in diameter. To keep the ends from fraying it is necessary to "whip" or bind them with twine. To do this make a loop in the twine and lay on the rope end so that the closed end of the loop projects just over the end of the rope. Begin wrapping with the long end of the twine at a point about an inch from the end of the rope, over the loop and toward the end. When you reach the end of the rope pass the free end of the twine through the loop and pull the other end of the twine. This will pull the free end under the wrapping and secure it. Cut off both ends close to the wrapping. To understand the directions remember that: 1. _The Standing-part_ is the long unused portion of the rope upon which the work is done. 2. _The Bight_ is the loop formed whenever the rope is turned back upon itself; and 3. _The End_ is the part used in tying the knots. [Illustration] The two primary knots are the "overhand" and the "figure-of-eight," which must be learned first of all as a basis. THE OVERHAND KNOT [Illustration] Beginning with the position shown in the preceding diagram back the end around the standing-part and up through the bight, drawing it tight. THE FIGURE-OF-EIGHT KNOT [Illustration] Make a bight as before. Then lead the end around back of the standing-part and down through the bight. The following knots are chiefly based upon these and can be easily learned by careful study of the diagrams. With practice considerable speed can be obtained, but it is best to "make haste slowly." THE SQUARE OR REEF KNOT [Illustration] This is the commonest knot for tying two ropes together. It will not slip or jam if properly tied and is easy to untie. THE FALSE REEF KNOT OR GRANNY. [Illustration] If the ends are not properly crossed in making the reef knot the _granny_ results, a bad and insecure knot. THE SHEET BEND OR WEAVER'S KNOT [Illustration] A knot much used by sailors in bending (tying) the sheet to the clew of the sail and in tying two rope ends together. Make a bight with one rope A, B, then pass the end C, of other rope up through and around the entire bight and bend it under its own standing-part. THE BOWLINE [Illustration]