536 AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



together as they are destined to be in the rod, every now and 

 then, and so adjust them; but remember, the rod must be 

 soHd when glued, and to this end each section must lit its 

 neighbor exactly. Use the file frequently, and always at 

 right-angles to the grain, in fitting. Precisely the same 

 process is to be gone through in regard to the other joints, 

 with the addition of ever-increasing care as to detail, till the 

 three or four joints are got out, and are ready for the next 

 process, namely, gluing together. 



A word as to the glue: Le Page's glue is the best I know, 



but the ordinary Russian fish-glue is very good. Be careful 

 to use it hot, and let your strips be warm also. Apply the 

 glue with a brush rapidly, and glue in pairs first, and then 

 the three pairs altogether next. Do this as quickly as possible, 

 and then take a long piece of strong twine and wrap it 

 rapidly and tightly around the strips in the same way as in 

 the splicing of a Castle-Convill rod (see fig. 3), bringing the 

 line back in a double coil, as shown at fig. 3, by the dotted 

 lines. Let the joints dry in a warm room thoroughly. Any 

 excess of glue on the outside can be scraped off when the 

 wrapping: is removed. 



The most difficult part of the making of a split bamboo 

 is now completed, and if you have been conscien- 

 tious and thorough you will at least have a strong and even 

 elegant rod, sufficiently enduring and presentable to encour- 

 age you to make another. 



But the rod is as yet far from finished. After smoothing 

 it off, the next operation is the ferruling. For the details 

 of this you must refer back to what has already been said. 



