THE KOD. 73 



be rather larger than those at the other extre- 

 mity ; or, to be more correct, they should dimi- 

 nish in size gradually from the butt upwards. 

 The binding of the loop of brass with which the 

 top of the rod is terminated should be whipped 

 neatly over with very fine brass wire, in order to 

 prevent it from being worn by the friction of the 

 line. 



When the rod is laid by for the winter, it 

 should be rubbed over with either salad or linseed 

 oil, and hung in a dry place. A coat of varnish, 

 too, in the course of a couple of seasons, or 

 oftener if the rod be much used, is very desirable. 

 Copal varnishas recommended by some, and it is 

 said to answer very well ; but that compounded 

 from the following recipe, given in " Daniel's 

 Rural Sports," is preferable for many reasons : 

 " Shell-lac and seed-lac, a quarter of an ounce 

 each, finely powdered and put into separate 

 phials, with a quarter of a pint of the best spirits 

 of wine each; to be placed in a sand heat and 

 shaken often till dissolved. When each is dis- 

 solved mix them together, in a bottle sufficiently 

 large, with a quarter of an ounce of gum ben- 

 'jamin. Increase the heat and the dregs will 

 subside. Warm the wood, and, with a camel-hair 

 brush, lay on a thin coat." 



