53 AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



India rubber in chloroform is good, if this cannot be had, or a 

 solution of the same material in bi-sulphide of carbon. These 

 are of a family, and are about equal in merit readily melted, if 

 a break of the rod necessitates, and drying quickly when ap- 

 plied. The other cement is the same that I, personally, use 

 as a wax in fly-making. It is thus composed: one ounce clear 

 light resin; one teaspoonful oil (boiled is best); one drachm 

 gutta-percha (sheet). Melt all together, pour into water, 

 and pull as you would pull candy. Le Page's glue is also good. 

 Having prepared those parts of the joints destined to 

 receive the ferrules so that there is a small but appreciable 

 space left between the wood and metal, wind the wood with 

 silk rubbed well with the cement. You will have already 

 decided how far the ferrule is to go on the wood, and have 

 wound the silk to that point. Now push on the ferrule, 

 leaning the end against a firm wall or door-post. Do not of 

 course use a mallet, but when you have got the ferrule on as 

 far as you can get it by main force, light your spirit lamp 

 and heat the ferrule or hold it over the hot stove coals till 

 the inner cement is softened, and the ferrule itself somewhat 

 expanded. Then push the ferrule into place, and it is a 

 hundred chances to one against its ever starting, even in the 

 driest weather. If ever it does, the operation must be repea- 

 ted, using a little thicker silk and more cement. 



Never under any circumstances drive a pin in to secure the 

 ferrule it is a source of weakness, and if you have to replace 

 the ferrule it causes four-fold labor. 



You have now got your rod to position where you can test 

 its "'feel" -its hanging and balance. It is not finally round- 

 ed off; and though you have "trued" it to a taper as far as }'ou 

 could, you have to correct crookedness and lack of balance 

 poise in the hand. Joint it together and handle it. I go to 

 the length of fitting on the handle (which I make separately, 

 sometimes half-a-dozen at a time), and attaching reel and 



