44 MODERN PRACTICAL ANGLER. 
In the case of hollow woods there is, of course, no 
preparatory sawing or planing to be gone through, as the 
bamboo comes from its native jungle in pretty much the 
same state, barring the mottling, as that in which we 
find it in our rods; but even here the joints have to be 
‘“‘warped” as in the case of solid woods, and thoroughly 
seasoned, and much depends upon a judicious selection 
of the original stock and in subsequent careful matching 
and tapering of the various pieces of which the rod is 
composed. 
I was never more puzzled than when admitted as a lad 
to the warehouse of a great London tackle maker to 
choose a cane to be made up for my “ particular own.” 
Well do I remember how my fingers glowed with 
pleasure and excitement as I lifted and poised one 
tapering beauty after another, uncertain among so many 
wooers which to take, and feeling, like the Captain in 
the Beggars’ Opera,— 
** How happy could I be with either, 
Were t’other dear charmer away !” 
Like its schoolboy master, the rod built from the cane 
then chosen has since had many a narrow escape “ by 
flood and fell,’ and not a few damaged “tips,” ay, and 
“joints” too; but its main timbers are as sound as ever, 
and may yet be destined to wave death over many 
a pikey pool and glittering torrent when the hand that 
chose them is no longer able to do justice to their supple 
graces, 
