On the arrival by rail of an American organ it should be unpacked carefully. Before use it should be thoroughly cleansed, inside and out, from dust, which will sometimes get into the organ, especially if the top portion is taken off to enable the instrument to be packed in a small case. The minutest particle of dust may check the vibration of some of the smaller reeds; therefore, if a reed does not sound, or gives out a false note, use a reed hook as shown by the sketch. One should be put into the instrument, or a good substitute is a button hook with a long shank. The stops being drawn and the swells lifted with the hook, pull the reed frame out and give it a smart tap to jar out the foreign substance. The reeds belonging to the principal and flute stops are in front. To i-each them, first unscrew and remove the key slip, a piece of fretwood directly under the keys in front; then the stops being drawn and the swell cover thus lifted, the ends of the reed frames will be visible. The dulciana and diapason reeds are at the back of the reed board, and are readily accessible after the removal of the portion of the case at the back that is generally secured by buttons or screws.

The sub-bass reeds are in sight in a separate box on the top of the wind-qhest. When drawing a reed, be careful not to insert the hook so far as to catch the reed tongue. A notch will be found in the reed frame at the front or sight end to receive the turned-down, portion of the hook. The rattling of reeds is often caused by an uneven floor; damp may also cause the reed cell to swell, thus pinching the reed frame and preventing the tongue vibrating freely; or a false tone may be caused by the reed frame having jarred out a little. To remedy, insert the reed hook in the notch of the reed frame, move it backwards and forwards a few times, and finally press it home well. Should this treatment not prove sufficient, ease the edge of the reed frame with a smooth file. Other causes of faulty sounds are loose objects, such as screws, hat pins, nails, and loose keys, hinge joints, or panels. If the lock gives trouble in this way, remove it and hammer up the sides a little. "Wedge up any loose panels, insert a piece of cloth under any spring that may be touching direct on the wood of the swells, and tighten all loose portions that vibrate or jar in unison with any particular note or chord. Should creaking occur in the blow pedals, lubricate with tallow or blacklead in preference to oil.

If a key sticks or becomes sluggish in its movements, try moving it up and down gently rather than attempting to take the action apart. Put briefly, each key rests upon a small, perpendicular, wooden pin, generally of cedar; each pin stands on a valve, and each valve is held in poisition by two springs. If the key falls below its proper level and is otherwise free in its movements, not binding on the guide pins, the valve may not act by reason of a spring slipping out of place; or it may be prevented from closing by some foreign substance having lodged upon it, which may sometimes be removed by vigorous blowing. Often these pins swell with moisture and cannot then work freely through the guide holes. Blacklead will be found a suitable lubricant. In instruments containing more than two sets of reeds, the taking apart of the action with the object of removing the keys is net advised. The cabinet portion of the case should be treated in a similar manner to high-class furniture, the polished surface being frequently freshened. The use of wax polish is not advised unless it is applied thinly and frequently; most of the polish revivers may be used with good effect, especially Ronuk, which merely requires diluting with turpentine for dull finished cases.

A good reviver is made of lime water, linseed oil, and turpentine in equal parts; mix the first two together thoroughly, then add the turpentine and shake before using. Apply with wadding, a little at a time, and rub well; wipe off with rag, and finish with a swab of clean soft rag slightly damped with methylated spirit. Apply this damp pad only lightly at first, and add a little pressure as the methylated spirit dries out.

Reed Hook for American Organs

Reed Hook for American Organs.