Making and Flying Tail-less Kites.
"E.W.D." asks, "Will you kindly tell me how to make and fly tail-less kites?" These kites are common in Holland, and are therefore called Holland kites. They are easily made, and there is no bother about getting exactly the right amount of ballast for them. A good size is 4 feet for the main upright stick. For cross-stick use ash or hickory, and have it exactly 3 feet long. Attach strings to each end and tie it at the back, curving the cross-stick into the form of a bow. This curve must be varied with the strength of the wind. If the wind is strong, tighten the bow cord, and give the bow more curve. The bow is fastened to the upright 1 foot below the upper end of the latter. Attach a belly-band at the contact of the stick and the bow and at the bottom of the stick. To determine the length of the belly-band let its angle just reach the ends of the bow, at which angle the kite string is to be attached. These measurements may be larger or smaller, but if varied at all they must be varied alike. The proportions here given must be maintained, or the kite will not be a success. Each side of the kite must be of equal weight. Lift the kite by the belly-string, balancing lower end on a finger-point. If it tips to one side, paste bits of paper in the light side till both sides are equal. The stick, bow, and cords must be as light as their duties will warrant. Covering may be as in any other kite. If correctly made, kites of this pattern require no tails, and the gentlemen who furnishes the information says that the first one he made staied up all day the first time he flew it.