What is called “laying” the rope consists in twisting a certain number of yarns together, so as to form a strand, and these strands into a rope. Large ropes are chiefly of two kinds, called respectively “hawser-laid” and “cable-laid,” the latter including only the very largest ropes. “Hawser-laid” ropes consist of a certain number of yarns (according to the size of the rope) twisted into a strand, and then three of these strands twisted together. The “cable-laid” rope is composed of nine strands, that is to say, three strands each composed of three others, and these composed of yarns, so that three “hawser-laid” ropes, twisted together, would make one “cable-laid” rope. Illustration: ROPE-MAKING BY MACHINERY. Laying the ropes and twisting the yarns into strands are both accomplished by the same process. The yarns are attached--in sufficient quantity for the strands--to three hooks, each turning in the same direction, while the other ends are collected together and turned in the opposite direction; the three hooks twist the yarns into strands, and a hook at the other end twists the strands into rope. Of course, machinery of various descriptions has been applied to rope-making, and ropes are frequently made entirely by machinery with great rapidity. The annexed cut represents one mode of rope-making by machinery, in which the yarn is shown being twisted into cord or rope from the reels or bobbins on which it was wound after spinning. WIRE. Illustration: COARSE WIRE DRAWING. Illustration: FIG. 1. (‡ METAL INGOT, SHEET, STRIPS.) Illustration: FIG. 2. (‡ LARGE ROLLERS.) Illustration: FIG. 3. (‡ CUTTING ROLLERS.) Illustration: FIG. 4. (‡ CLOSE-UP OF CUTTING ROLLERS.)