50 



THE SMALL-MOUTHED BASS 



may be kept in such a box as has been described for weeks 

 at a time, if fresh moss from the edge of stagnant pools be 

 put in occasionally; this usually contains sufficient nourish- 

 ment in the form of water and organic matter to provide 

 food for the prisoners. 



To keep minnows alive is perhaps the most difficult 

 task of the angler, particularly when the temperature of 

 the air rises above 80 F., and access cannot be had to run- 

 ning water. Minnow pails of various kinds may be used, 

 but as they are usually made of iron plate, coated with tin 



or zinc, they are more or less rough, especially in the neigh- 

 bourhood of the perforations, and thus delicate minnows, 

 like the silver shiner, by constant rubbing themselves against 

 the sides, become deprived of their scales and soon die. 



After much experimenting with all kinds of minnow pails, 

 I have abandoned them for the common wooden pail, covered 

 with a double layer of cheese cloth, thoroughly washed and 

 bleached and kept constantly moistened with water. 



The pail should be an old one, which has been well worn 

 inside so as to present a smooth surface. If the weather be 

 very hot and the minnows have to be carried a long distance 



