THE ROD 49 



male. It is usually mottled by being burned to re- 

 move "suckers" or side growth, or for sheer ornamenta- 

 tion. Tonkin, however, is often stained to imilikte 

 this burned effect. The bamboo used to-day is the 

 Tonkin. It is stiffer than Calcutta, and for this 

 reason is usually preferred by tournament casters. It 

 differs from Calcutta in having smaller nodes and is 

 seldom burned. 



The idea of splitting cane or wood and then gluing 

 it together is of English origin, but the split bamboo 

 rod as we know it, was invented by Samuel Phillipe, 

 according to Dr. Henshall, who gives the date of his 

 first rod as 1844. Regardless of who conceived the 

 idea, American bamboo rods are quite in a class by 

 themselves as regards workmanship. 



SUMMARY 

 FITTINGS 



Best ferrules: German silver, serrated, capped, 

 water-proofed, welted. 



Best mountings: German silver. Best Guides: All 

 agate, narrow casting and off -set tip-top. Next best: 

 Agate, first guide and tip-top. Third best: Steel 

 ring guides and off-set tip-top. 



STYLE 



Best action. Least convenient; one piece construe, 

 tion. 



