and Rod Material. 



strength of a piece of pine -wood, and yet present a 

 perfect exterior. The spring and balance of the rod 

 may of course be readily tried, until one is found which 

 suits. But as to the strength of material you are com- 

 pletely at the mercy of the maker. Therefore, in buy- 

 ing a rod of this description go only to a well-known 

 maker, or his agent; for both have a reputation to main- 

 tain, and will be glad to make good any defect in ma- 

 terial. Also, if you do not mind the extra expense, you 

 will do well to have two, instead of a single middle joint, 

 for this part of the rod is most in danger. 



There is still another objection to bamboo rods. If 

 the butt or middle joint is broken, except quite close to 

 the ferrules, the break cannot be spliced so as to stand, 

 and the usefulness of that joint is at an end. 



Some years ago a vessel from the East Indies dis- 

 charged a cargo of sugar at this port. For dunnage to 

 the cargo, which was in mats, large bamboos, some even 

 six inches through, had been used. When the vessel had 

 discharged, these were thrown out upon the dock. A 

 friend secured two or three pieces, and gave me one. It 

 was the toughest and most elastic bamboo I have ever 

 seen. I made one rod from it, placing the rind inside, 

 and was so pleased with it that the temptation to make 

 one more, and exhaust on it all the skill I possessed, was 

 irresistible. Every knot was cut out and the strips 

 spliced, so as to secure absolute uniformity of action, 

 and when the rod was complete I was satisfied with my 

 work. That rod became the bane of my existence. For 

 three seasons I stuck to it, uniting the splices again and 

 again. Every adhesive substance I could hear of was 

 tried ; the splices were carefully wrapped with unwaxed 

 silk, and then varnished so as to paste the silk down, 



