ect facsimile in reverse of the back of the violin. This
is carefully wiped, and any small specks of plaster that may be adhering
are picked off.

The mould has now to be dried, as it would otherwise--from the large
amount of moisture within it--undo the back, or any cracks that may
have been glued up.

Placing in a moderately warm oven is as good a method as any, the natural
drying by open air, even in sunny weather, being a long process.

After being tested and found to contain no moisture whatever, the mould
is placed upon a bench, and the surface which has been in contact with
the curved form of the back receives a slight oiling with a brush. This
will prevent as much as possible injury to the varnished surface of
the violin when placed in it. This may be further helped by a sheet
of soft paper or soft cotton being placed between, when the back of
the violin is laid in the mould.

Before proceeding further, there will necessarily be the preparations
made in connection with the piece of veneer that is to be glued to the
back.

In order that this may be as equally as possible pressed into the shape,
there must be another mould made; this will be of some soft wood that
will cut easily into shape, and be made to fit as near as can be to
the back.

Next a layer or portion of cork about one-eighth of an inch thick, and
large enough to cover the whole of the veneer, will be required. Some
repairers would prefer india rubber or other yielding substances,
which will fit into any unevenness while sustaining great pressure.
This last will be caused by the press or large cramp, which must be
very strong.

All the foregoing being ready to hand, the veneer being cut down to
the amount required, perhaps to a pencilled line marked on it for width
and length, it will be wetted; being of slight substance, it will soon
absorb sufficient moisture to remain damp during and over the time the
other preparations are made.

All being in readiness, the back being laid down accurately in its bed
of hard plaster of Paris, the cloth or paper having been placed between,
the cleansed and dried surface of the table is brushed over with the
strong glue which, if the apartment is of sufficiently high temperature,
will not coagulate or set, but give time for the brushing of glue on
one side of the veneer. This is at once placed in position on the glued
surface of the violin table; it is then covered with some thin, soft
paper, the cake of