SPINNING AND BA1T-FISHING. 427 



In selecting the baits for the hook choose the specimens 

 which are the least wasp-like in appearance, and put the others 

 aside to be used as ground-bait in the manner described with 

 regard to gentle- fishing. 



Here is a receipt for taking a wasp's nest : Cover your 

 face and head with a veil over a fencing mask. Tie your 

 trousers and coat-cuffs at the bottoms, put on a pair of stout 

 gloves and proceed with a shovel to quietly dig out the nest. 

 This is the way to get stung ; which I can answer for as I have 

 tried it. If, however, you have any objection to the process, 

 then you will find it the better course to preface the c digging 

 out' by first suffocating the wasps with a sulphur and gunpowder 

 squib in the manner which will be found detailed in Vol. II. 



The mention of Wasps reminds me of a much worse plague 

 to anglers I mean the ubiquitous and tormenting Midge 

 whose elimination from the plan of nature would leave ' a gap 

 behind' most welcome to most of us, whatever poets and 

 philosophers may say to the contrary. 



I have myself found a mixture of turpentine and glycerine 

 very useful as a ' midge antidote ; ' but here is another and 

 more recent one, the efficacy of which is avouched by Mr. 

 R. B. Marston : 



MIDGE AND FLY ANTIDOTE. During the first week in this 

 month, when fishing the Wye in Herefordshire, the weather was 

 intensely hot, and the flies an intolerable nuisance. It struck us 

 that it would be an excellent opportunity for still further testing Mr. 

 Hind's Black Fly Cream, an American preparation which is adver- 

 tised in our columns as obtainable from Messrs. Newbery and Sons, 

 i King Edward Street, Newgate Street, London. We found that al- 

 though they often attempted to do so, no fly would stop for a second 

 on any spot to which the cream had been applied ; also that it pre- 

 vents sun-burnt ear and nose-tips. Fishing Gazette^ August 17, 1889. 



' SKEEVIT,' the midge antidote brought out by Mr. Steevens, 

 of ink- making fame, is also recommended in the ' Fishing 

 Gazette.' The Editor says that in addition to its 'antidotal 3 

 properties it is understood to be a cure for prickly heat. 



