Here is described one of those giant models with tremendous lifting power. Only three sticks are used, but these must be of the best quality. Spruce is a good wood on
account of its being light and tough, but no doubt you will be able to find as good material, if you can't get spruce. Be sure your sticks are straight grained and a trifle heavier in the middle than at the ends. Material one-half inch square is good, but
pieces one and one-half inches wide and one-half inch thick. The latter are heavier, and that, for a beginner, is one bad disadvantage.
Where the sticks cross each other they may be fastened together with two brads or by typing with thread. The long single stick is bowed by stretching a stout cord from end to end, as is shown in
Fig. 2. The belly band, or bridle cord, as it is called by the wise ones, is put in as indicated by
Fig. 1. The typing should be done at a distance of about ten inches from the points. The kite is covered with fine meshed cloth. Light muslin, drilling, or Japanese silk are used a good deal for this purpose, but I would advise you to get the first mentioned, as it is the cheapest. The kite has no tail, as the bow effect makes it unnecessary. In putting on the cloth leave it full enough to permit of bellying out. The cord used to fly the kite must, of course, be heavy in proportion to the rest of it. I do not say that one of the kites will lift a heavy man off the ground, but I have seen three or four on a single line do so.