ANGLER'S EQUIPMENT 35 



rod, and carry a spare point in the handle of their 

 landing-net, which is made hollow for that purpose 

 in our opinion, a great improvement upon the 

 hollow butts. The necessity for spare points would 

 be avoided, if anglers would get their rods made 

 stronger. A moderately stout rod made of good 

 material, with plenty of rings, will stand much more 

 than could be supposed from its appearance, and 

 even if it should break, it can be temporarily re- 

 paired in a very short time. If the butt is not 

 made hollow, fir may be substituted for ash with 

 advantage, as it is much lighter, and quite strong 

 enough. 



For the middle pieces of a rod, there is nothing 

 like hickory ; it possesses elasticity and strength in 

 a great degree, and if properly taken care of, will 

 stand long and frequent use. Good hickory is the 

 most valuable of all woods to the rod-maker. 



The tops of rods are made of a great many 

 different kinds of wood hickory, bamboo, lance, 

 logwood, greenheart, and numerous others. The two 

 last mentioned are too brittle and too heavy, pressing 

 severely upon the middle pieces, and causing that 

 excessive pliancy which spoils a rod for all useful 

 purposes. Lance, though not so brittle, is open to 

 the latter objection, and if used at all, should be 

 used very sparingly. Hickory and bamboo, particu- 

 larly the latter, are best suited for tops, and we think 

 the greater part, if not the whole, should be made of 

 bamboo. The strength of bamboo lies in the skin, 

 and in order to turn this to the best account, rod- 



