26 THE TROI/LER'S GUIDE. 



and at some of the china shops, and other shops in London. 

 This india twist may be bought of any length and degree 

 of strength and fineness, at something less per yard, than 

 what is manufactured in this country ; but it is much infe- 

 rior in strength and value, because it is full of gum when 

 you first purchase it, and after some little wear and tear the 

 gum is gone, the line then soon untwists and becomes 

 rotten, therefore very unfit for Jack and Pike fishing. 

 The platted silk lines are the best for trolling, in every 

 sense of the word, they are stronger than those which are 

 twisted Let the twisted be made wholly of silk, or silk and 

 hair, or mo-hair. Platted silk lines are also less inclined to 

 kink or tangle than the twisted, which every troller knows 

 is of some consequence, therefore my advice is to provide 

 yourself with a platted silk line, (the colour immaterial) 

 made of about eight strands, and in length from fifty to 

 sixty yards. If you wish to make your line water-proof, 

 dress it in the following manner; lay the line in coils in a large 

 tumbler or bason, and pour as much cold double boiled 

 linseed oil on it as to cover the whole, let it lay a few 

 minutes, then take the end last put in, and gradually draw 

 all the line out of the tumbler or bason, and pass it through 

 or wipe it with a piece of woollen cloth or flannel, which 

 will make the surface smooth, and the whole line will be 

 alike saturated with the oil. Hang the line up for a few 

 days in dry air and it will then be fit for use. Note. Some 

 trollers think this dressing a line causes it sooner to rot, but I 

 am not of that opinion, I find a line so dressed is less likely 



