84 SALMON FISHING 



bundles, and then put into a machine which 

 straightens, and at the same time cuts it into 

 the proper lengths for the hooks intended to be 

 made. 



These pieces are then taken by the workman 

 and barbed, i.e. cutting into them with what is 

 called a bearding knife, which throws up the barb 

 or beard. This barb is then filed into correct 

 shape* and pointed ; several peculiar-shaped files 

 being used to accomplish this. 



The opposite end to the barb is now filed 

 down to the proper taper, and forms the shank. 

 This is done by holding the wire in a pair of 

 pincers in the left hand, and rotating it while 

 filing with the right. 



The wire is now ready for bending into the 

 shape of a hook, which is done by the help of 

 a piece of wood held in the left hand of the 

 workman, into which (wood) pieces of steel have 

 been fixed. The wire is passed between these, 

 and by a twist of the left hand simultaneously 

 with a turn of the right, is bent into the re- 

 quired shape and removed. It is now ready for 

 hardening, and to do this a quantity of hooks 

 are placed in a pan, which is then heated to a 

 bright red. The hooks are then dropped into 

 a large pan of special oil and cooled ; this renders 

 them hard and brittle so that they require to 

 be tempered, i.e. toughened. To effect this, they 



