2 ANGLING IMPROVED. 



them, all the rest is to little purpose. I shall thefe- 

 fore first begin with your tools, and so proceed in order 

 with the rest. 



1. In Autumn, when the leaves are almost or 

 altogether fallen, which is usually about the Winter 

 solstice, the sap being then in the root ; which about 

 the middle of January begins to ascend again, and then 

 the time is past to provide yourself with stocks or tops : 

 you need not be so exactly curious for your stocks as 

 the tops, though I wish you to choose the neatest taper- 

 grown you can for stocks, but let your tops be the 

 most neat rush-grown shoots you can get, straight and 

 smooth j and if for the ground rod, near or full two 

 yards long, the reason for that length shall be given 

 presently ; and if for the fly, of what length you please, 

 because you must either choose them to fit the stock, 

 or the stock to fit them in a most exact proportion ; 

 neither do they need to be so very much taper-grown 

 as those for the ground, for if your rod be not most 

 exactly proportionable, as well as slender, it will nei- 

 ther cast well, strike readily, or ply and bend equally, 

 which will very much endanger your line. When you 

 have fitted yourself with tops and stocks, for all must 

 be gathered in one season, if any of them be crooked, 

 bind them all together, and they will keep one another 

 straight ; or lay them on some even-boarded floor, with 

 a weight on the crooked parts, or else bind them close 

 to some straight staff or pole ; but before you do this 

 you must bathe them all, save the very top, in a gentle 

 fire. 



