BAITS, BAITING, AND GROUND BAIT. 227 
“PITH (AND: ““DULEOCK S BRAINS,” 
This bait is a modern discovery, but it is the most 
deadly of all baits for Chub fishing in winter. The 
“pith” is used as the bait on the hook, and the brains 
for the ground bait, and I shall therefore describe them 
both together. They are prepared thus :— 
Having obtained from a butcher some brains from a 
freshly-killed bullock, cow, or sheep, first thoroughly 
clean and wash them in cold water, and then boil 
them for fifteen minutes, changing the water once 
during the process. When cold they are ready for 
use. 
The “ pith” is the spinal marrow of a bullock or cow, 
and should also be obtained quite fresh. The pith requires 
to be boiled for about three minutes to prepare it for 
use. The brains and marrow from one bullock will be 
sufficient for an ordinary day’s fishing. In order to 
make the brains sink readily, and also in order to 
separate the particles, or make them fine, some fishing 
authorities recommend that the brains should be chewed 
by the angler as he uses them. This process, however, 
though effectual, is not relished by most persons, and 
the best substitute is to squeeze the brains in the hand 
whilst under water. The brains should be thrown in 
from time to time, in pieces about the size of a walnut, 
a few yards (according to stream and depth) above the 
spot which is covered by the bait. 
Q 2 
