ARTIFICIAL LIGHT 85 



materials around you in a certain definite 

 and regular order, so that you can almost 

 with your eyes shut put your hand on the 

 particular article required, and not have to 

 fumble in several places before securing it. 



A white background is always best to work 

 upon, and if you cannot obtain the use of 

 a white deal-topped table, a white cloth or a 

 piece of white cardboard should be employed, 

 as you will then obviate the waste of many 

 valuable minutes in the search for such elusive 

 things as small hooks, pieces of fine tinsel and 

 waxed silk a proceeding which spoils temper 

 as well as wastes time. 



When possible, it is of course far better to 

 work by daylight. But very often the neces- 

 sity will arise to dress flies by artificial light. 

 The best artificial light is, without a doubt, a 

 powerful hanging electric lamp, provided with 

 a reflecting shade, to throw the light downwards 

 and adjustable to any distance to suit indi- 

 vidual requirements. When using the unaided 

 fingers the light is best adjusted so as to be 

 immediately above the hands. If a vice is used, 

 the light should be a little to the left of, and 

 only a few inches away from, the fly being 



