60 ANGLER'S TACKLE AND EQUIPMENT. 



them of easy acquisition, and that at a cost more mode- 

 rate than a rheumatic attack, or even a twinge of 

 toothache, coupled severally with doctors' and dentists' 

 fees. 



It would be quite superfluous, were I to enumerate 

 the different descriptions of India-rubber wading boots, 

 which, from time to time, have been submitted to my 

 inspection. I am not partial to wares fabricated of 

 such slender material as the generality of these happen 

 to be, and prefer instead a sturdy, workman -like pair 

 of leg-defenders, such as are worn by the Berwick 

 fishermen and those of our principal salmon rivers. 

 There is no necessity, however, that wading boots of 

 this description, to last well and answer all the purposes 

 of the angler, should be nearly so coarse and heavy 

 as those manufactured to resist damage from salt water 

 and incessant usage. They ought not, in fact, to weigh 

 more, when properly ironed, than eight or nine pounds. 

 To maintain leathern wading boots in good order, it is 

 necessary they should be used every now and then, or 

 else filled occasionally with water, and allowed to stand 

 an hour or two in this condition. The leather also 

 requires to be kept soft and pliant, for which purpose I 

 recommend the use of the following mixture, the mate- 

 rials named to be melted together above 'a slow fire, 

 and smeared, when cool, over the leather : 



1 pint of neat's-foot oil. 



2 ozs. of turpentine. 



2 ozs. of yellow wax. 

 1 oz. of Burgundy pitch. 



Before pulling on the boots, draw a large-sized 

 worsted stocking over the trousers. * 



The above recipe is of tried value ; but as neat's-foot 



* I can recommend Mr. MacDougal, boot and shoemaker in Kelso, as 

 a good maker of useful wading boots, at an extremely moderate price. 



