BAITS, BAITING, AND GROUND BAIT. 233 
GRAINS. 
Brewer’s grains or malt is a coarse, sour ground bait, 
with which I never had much success. 
RICE. 
Boiled rice used in the positions described for gentles, 
is the best ground bait for Minnows; and by bearing in 
‘mind what has been said as regards the attractiveness of 
bran for Bleak, and gentles for Roach and Dace, much 
trouble will be spared to the angler when procuring 
supplies of live-bait with the casting-net. A stillish 
curve or eddy of river about two feet deep will be found 
the best description of spot both for the application 
of this principle of baiting, and for using the cast-net 
effectually. 
WORMS, 
If not the best, form one of the two or three very 
best ground baits for Barbel, Bream, Chub, Perch, Carp, 
and Tench. Authorities differ as to whether they should 
be used whole or “ chopped.” 
Mr. Francis Francis, who has written some of the best 
chapters on bottom fishing with which I am acquainted, 
recommends “broken” worms; whilst Mr. Baily, of 
Nottingham, in his clever little manual, is strongly in 
favour of the “whole” system, at any rate so far as pre- 
viously baited swims for Barbel are concerned. Whole 
worms are, I think, preferable in all cases where swims 
are baited any considerable time before being fished, 
