BAITS 95 



matter of weeds the process also furthers gardening interests, 

 for that year at least. 



To obtain a large quantity of lob or dew worms it is 

 necessary to go out at night with a lantern, wearing a pair of 

 tennis shoes. If it be not frosty or very windy, the worms 

 will be found on lawns and at the edges of paths, lying half 

 out of their holes, taking a dew bath. If there has been a 

 shower just about sundown, they will be very far out indeed ; 

 but if the weather be dry, only a fraction of their bodies will 

 be visible. There is some skill required even to catch a worm. 

 The beginner will make a dab at the creature, which will at 

 once retreat into its hole before being laid hold of. The 

 old hand, on the contrary, treading lightly and holding the 

 lantern in his left hand, will smartly place the second finger 

 of his right hand on the hole in the ground in which the worm 

 is lying, and so prevent the creature's retreat ; then with his first 

 finger and thumb he will take hold of the worm, and, pulling 

 gently, will force it to leave its stronghold. Both with half- 

 retreated worms and eels it is always advisable to apply gentle 

 continued pressure ; sooner or later the muscles relax, and out 

 the creature comes. For freshwater fishing many gallons of 

 worms are gathered in this manner during warm summer nights. 



A large lobworm makes a fairly good bait for railing or 

 whiffing for pollack, coalfish and bass. For this purpose it 

 should be placed on the hook in the manner shown in the 

 illustration (p. 96). Red worms and brandlings, which breed in 

 old manure, can be used as baits in brackish water for flat fish. 

 Earthworms of all kinds are the better for being kept in damp 

 moss for a few days ; but they require looking over occasionally, 

 and any dead ones should be removed. I have heard it said 

 that brandlings, and, doubtless, other worms, toughen if the 

 rubbings from a soft brick are mixed with the moss. The best 

 method of removing dead worms is to have two receptacles ; 



