5th splint-under 2, over 2, under 2, over 2, etc. 6th splint-under 1, over 2, under 2, over 2, etc. 7th splint-over 2, under 2, over 2, under 2, etc. 8th splint-over 1, under 2, over 2, under 2, etc. The underside is woven in identical fashion to insure maximum strength. Successful seat patterns often start from the center instead of an edge of the frame, forming a radial pattern toward the four corners. Careful measurements and patient plotting will be rewarded by a satisfyingly complete pattern. Splints do not require a finishing agent, although oil or varnish may be applied with discretion. ESTORATION, REPAIR, AND REFINISHING restoration The principle of how much and what to restore must be an early decision. After an owner who does his own restoration work has taken apart and reassembled several pieces of historically old furniture, he becomes strongly impressed with the soundness and honesty of old workmanship and materials, and more and more disinclined to make any but the most necessary additions or repairs. In general, the oldest pieces will be in need of the most repairs, therefore, as Rule I we may accept the dictum that the greater the rarity of the piece of furniture, the greater the permissible restoration. This, however, brings up the question of losses of а У2 in. or more through wear and tear. In the case of an old item that is in good condition except for a slight loss in height, the owner is likely to feel that it would be a mistake to remove the piece from the class of all original to that of restored, merely for the sake of adding an additional inch or so, unless the loss of some vital part of a gracefully turned foot, for example, detracts from the general symmetry. The more one studies and handles really old furniture, the more one becomes imbued with the spirit of the history it represents. The outward and visible signs of such a history, which may have taken as long as two hundred years to write, are the evidences of age and long usage-the nicks and scratches, burns and stains, loose pins and even carved initials. Hence for Rule II it may be stated that in good restoration work we seldom find a table top that has been planed down or "skinned" to restore each tiny break, every lost splinter, or all rusty tack holes: Although various woods were employed in the construction of single pieces of early furniture, the end result was a systematic, balanced mixture. For example, a table might exhibit maple legs and oak stretchers, but almost invariably all the legs were of maple and all the stretchers of oak, with the entire apron of pine. 383 384 FURNITURE MAKING AND CABINET WORK In a lowboy or highboy all drawer fronts were of the same wood, and in a desk the right side was made of the same wood as the left side, unless a paint finish was intended. For Rule III, therefore, we must decide to match the wood of the corresponding part of the piece under restoration.