MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP 43 



especially), the strain which it is called upon to 

 bear, and the combined effects of wet, wind, and 

 sun, to say nothing of rough usage ; and yet 

 this slender slip of wood is expected to bend and 

 never break, and to retain its original rigidity 

 and truth of shape for an indefinite period. 

 Material and manufacture must indeed be good 

 to stand all this. Varnish won't do it. The 

 latter serves to preserve the wood, etc., of a 

 good rod, and may help a dishonest maker to 

 sell a bad one, but there its uses end. It is 

 the material and workmanship which underlie 

 the shining surface which are the chief points 

 to be considered. Varnish is cheap enough, but, 

 as I have said, good work and good material 

 are not to be had for nothing. Of the two, I 

 should feel inclined to lay the greater stress on 

 the necessity for good material, for that will last, 

 and perhaps make up again ; but no skill can 

 convert bad material into good, and if the wood 

 is not thoroughly seasoned, no matter how beauti- 

 fully fitted the mountings may be, in process of 

 time it shrinks away from the ferrulings, and the 

 rod falls to pieces, or breaks by reason of the 

 undue play at the joints. 



Some people advocate the use of washaba 

 wood, and I believe it is excellent ; but as I have 

 had no experience of it, I cannot express an 

 opinion. I think it is inclined to be heavy, 



