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Ronalds writes, " Like the bow of the archer, 

 the rod of the angler should be duly propor- 

 tioned in dimensions and weight, to the 

 strength and stature of him who wields it. The 

 strong or tall man may venture upon a rod 

 about fourteen or fifteen feet long ; but to the 

 person who is shorter or less robust, one so 

 short even as twelve or twelve feet and a half, 

 and light in proportion, is recommended, as 

 the command will be sooner obtained, and with 

 very much less fatigue to the arm. The best 

 materials are, ash for the stock, lance-wood 

 for the middle, and bamboo for the top ; the 

 but should have a hole drilled down it, with a 

 spare top in it, and a spike is made to screw 

 into the end, which will be found useful to stick 

 into the ground, and keep the rod upright, 

 when landing a good fish. The ferrules of 

 brass should fit into each other with screws. 

 A good rod should be such that its pliability 

 may be felt in the hand, yet it should not 

 deviate or droop by its own weight, if held by 

 the but in a horizontal position, more than 

 three or four inches from a straight line. The 

 rings are usually too small ; not allowing such 

 slight obstacles on the line, as can never be 

 totally prevented, to run with sufficient free- 

 dom through them ; they should all be of the 

 size of those usually put upon the stock." 

 D 



