48 



THE SMALL-MOUTHED BASS 



The air holes in the cover should not be more than one- 

 eighth of an inch in diameter, and the cover should fit flush 

 with the box; otherwise the worms will stretch themselves 

 through and escape. 



The boxes containing the worms should be kept in a 

 cool place, of a temperature not greater than 50 F., 

 and, if possible, where there is a free draught of air. 



In the heat of summer it is difficult to 

 fulfil these conditions; and, unless one 

 has access to an icehouse, worms can- 

 not be kept, during very hot weather, for 

 a much longer period than a week, in a 

 proper condition for angling. 



But if an icehouse be available they 

 may be kept for months by simply placing 

 the boxes on a bare piece of ice; this 

 enables the worms to get the moisture 

 necessary for their development, and at 

 the same time to keep cool. 



When this method is employed there 

 should not be more than fifty worms in a 

 box, and they should be inspected once 

 a week or more frequently, and any dead 

 ones removed. 



Green moss, such as one finds along 

 the edge of a marsh, should be used for a 

 top dressing, because it retains moisture, 

 and enables the worms to scour themselves 

 and thus become tough and lively, and 

 therefore less liable to break when placed on a hook. Any 

 kind of moss is much better than grass. 



Larger boxes may be used for preserving a great num- 

 ber of worms, but they are more difficult to handle, and the 

 chances are that the worms will all collect in one corner 

 of the box, and more will then be lost bv decav. The smaller 



