39 



CHAPTER IV. 



RODS AND ROD MAKING. 



Ancient rods — Observations on different rod woods. Solid rjjoods — 

 ■ Hickory, greenhart, ash, willow, fir. HoIIo^u ^oods — East India, or 

 mottled bamboo, white cane, Carolina cane, jungle cane. Rod 

 rings — Upright rings recommended for all purposes, 'pronged 

 rings,' proper shape for top ring. Ferrules — ' Tube-cut,' ' ham- 

 mered.' 'Brazing of Joints — To separate 'stuck' joints. A 

 general rod described and recommended. 



Whatever we may think of the skill of our forefathers 

 in the gentle craft, it can hardly be denied that the im- 

 plements they used were in every way vastly inferior 

 to our own, and indeed, it may be added, generally such 

 as to make any great display of what we understand as 

 science out of the question. 



Of the mechanical knowledge and ability which have 

 led to these improvements, probably more have been 

 lavished upon the rod than upon all the rest of the 

 fisher's equipment put together, and if the fulfilling of 

 every requirement which the most fastidious can 

 demand be admitted as proof of excellence, we may 

 very fairly congratulate ourselves on having arrived as 

 nearly as may be at perfection in this one item at least. 



