THE use of rope as a catcher goes back to the days when primitive man spread vine loops and crude grass ropes to snare animals for his food. But it took the American cowboy to become an artist with a rope. In long days in the saddle, drifting lazily with a trail herd, or hours alone during the night herding, the rope became his plaything. The comparatively simple routine of roping a horse, calf, or steer was not enough. He worked out new tricks. Step by step he progressed, until today the American cowboy is the wizard of the lariat.

To bring the fundamentals of roping to our readers we found a champion in D. H. Frank Biron, now operating the Cowtown Guest Ranch near Ramsey, N. J. Biron is an all-around "cow hand"-bronco buster, trick rider, wild-steer bulldogger. As a trick-rider and trick-roper champion he has his picture in the cowboy halls of fame from coast to coast.

Skip With Vertical Loop

This is done in the same manner as the Texas Skip illustrated on page 42, except that the vertical loop is made in front of the body instead of at the side. When it is going well, pull it over the head and jump through. The loop is kept spinning after the jump by turning slightly and continuing the rotation. Frank Biron, who demonstrates the various tricks on these pages, is known all over the country as a champion trick roper, rider, bronco buster.

Frank Biron has as many ropes as a Texas wildcat has fleas, but let us take you up the gentle stages by beginning with 25 feet of cotton rope known as spot cord No. 12 (3/8 inch) that can be purchased through any western supply store for from 71/2 to 12 cents a foot.

Trim the end of the rope with a sharp knife so that it will fit snugly and smoothly when the bend is made. Double the trimmed end back to make an oval about 21/2 inches long, inside measurement. A heavy waxed harness thread is then drawn through and wrapped tightly to make the trimmed end of the rope firm and strong. Light copper or rustproof wire may be added to make the rope slightly heavier. In finishing the honda, as this loop is called, a second wrapping must be made around the tip to give it balance and retain the oval shape. This is important, for balance as well as to keep the honda from "choking" the rope afterwards to be threaded through it.