RODS AND ROD MAKING. 4I 



times for as much as ten years, — when they are finally 

 worked up into rods. 



The inferior billets, which are rejected by the larger 

 manufacturers, are cut up at once into joints and sold 

 about the country by hawkers, w4io make it their regular 

 business to supply the small country makers with wood 

 for their rods. The same thing takes place as regards 

 bamboo. After this insight into the iina penetralia of 

 the rod-making trade, no one I fancy will feel inclined 

 to grumble at having to pay a good price for a really 

 good rod, or will be surprised at the comparative 

 worthlessness of the rods turned out by inferior 

 makers. 



Hickory is the heaviest wood used in rod making, 

 with the one exception of greenhart ; and the purpose 

 for which it is most commonly employed is the middle 

 joints of rods, and for solid butts where weight and 

 strength are required. In hollow butts it is never used, 

 as it will not stand being bored. 



Greenhart, which is an export from the West Indies, 

 demands the next place, or rather I should have said 

 the post of honour, in the rod maker's table of prece- 

 dence. In all kinds of rods and in every different posi- 

 tion it is to be found, whilst in some cases, as in the 

 Salmon rod of Castle Connell, and many other Irish 

 rods, it forms the sole material employed. Its speciality 

 is, however, for tops ; and here it is simply invaluable, 

 as it is the only wood sufficiently stiff and at the same 



