Securing Seam on vintage machine w/no reverse

I just got an old electric White Rotary off craigslist - great condition, two full sets of attachment feet, bobbins, needles in little wood tubes, original manual #12 for both electric and treadle version, etc.  Love the cabinet that somehow automatically slides down on the side when I open the lid and machine pops up like magic.  Runs wonderful and made a purse as a test.

I am used to backstitching a bit at start and end of seams but this machine has no reverse - what do people typically do?  Should I turn my work to sew over stitches at both ends?

Can you change the stitch length? You could do the start of the seam with short stitches and then adjust to regular stitch length.

I agree- I would lower the stitch length to the lowest possible for a few stitches then increase to what you need for your project.

I agree with the previous two messages, but if you need to be really sure the ends are well secured, try leaving longish thread at the start and finish of seams and then pull the top thread through to the back of work and tie in a double knot with the bobbin thread.  There is no chance of it comming undone by itself, but if you need to unpick a seam later it is easier to do because the stitches are all the normal length.

I learned to sew on a Singer treadle machine.  My mother told me to sew a few stitches, then with the machine still going lift the presser foot just a little with your left hand, enough to be able to pull the fabric with your right hand towards me, back to the beginning of stitching, lower the foot and proceed.  Do the same thing at the end of the seam.   It takes a little practice, but after a few times you will do it as fast as having a reverse on your machine.  Hope this helps.