THE PERCH. 51 



years' experience, found that I kill two to one on the 

 bottom hook to what I do with the hook tied the 

 highest up the line j therefore I make it a rule so to 

 place the float, as to let my bottom hook nearly touch 

 the ground, but, ever and anon, rise it and sink it, and 

 draw it a little to this side or that, or nearer shore, 

 &c. until I get a bite. In ponds and other still waters, 

 when it is calm, if you throw in the water, occasion- 

 ally, a few handfuls of loose sand or gravel, it will 

 often move the Perch to feed -, but when it is a mild 

 breezy day, and if accompanied with light showers, 

 the Perch are then on the rove, and will take a bait 

 in good earnest ; if there be neither wind nor rain, 

 your only chance to find Perch on the feed, is to be 

 after them early in the morning, and again towards 

 night-fall or evening. 



AVlien live Minnows, or any other small Fish, are 

 used for baits, the Angler should frequently change 

 the water in the kettle, and take the bait out with a 

 very small net, similar to those used in removing 

 Gold and Silver Fish, only of a smaller mesh ; or if 

 it is made of coarse gauze, it will do, because, putting 

 a hot hand in the kettle distresses and alarms the 

 baits, and frequently is the cause of several of them 

 dying, which is generally an irreparable loss for the 

 day, therefore of the first consequence to provide 

 against. — Note, if you put live Shrimp among damp 

 sandy gravel, they will keep longer alive than if put in 

 water ; and also remember, that by carrying Shrimps 

 and damp sand in a wicker basket, they receive some 



