500 RECIPES AND NOTABILIA. 



in turps. For this the black rubber is preferred, and the 

 mixture is stronger and thicker than for line-dressing. 



Cement far Aquariums, &c. Melt some resin in a 

 pipkin, and while simmering stir in by degrees about one- 

 half the same quantity of putty ; pour it on hot. 



To dress Water Boots. Beeswax, tallow, and black var- 

 nish, or tar, which is preferred by some, should be melted 

 together and rubbed into the boots before the fire, so as to 

 melt it into the cracks thoroughly. 



To keep Moth from Feathers. Pepper them well with 

 white pepper, and, above all, keep them from the damp. 

 Expose valuable feathers to the air now and then. Chopped 

 tobacco-leaf is a capital preservative, and a little strewed 

 in the fly-book is very efficacious. Camphor is good as 

 long as it lasts, but it soon dissolves, and is very expen- 

 sive too. Cedar chips are said to be good. 



To pack Trout. Dry them thoroughly, and pack them 

 in dry straw. If for a long journey, gut them, and dust 

 the inside with pepper. Sting-nettles are said to preserve 

 the colour for a short journey ; but never use grass, as any- 

 thing damp is not desirable. 



To stain Gimp. Bright brass gimp is very easily seen 

 by the fish. To discolour it soak it in a solution of bi- 

 chlorate of platinum mixed with water (I of platinum to 

 8 or 10 of water) ; then dry before the fire. ( Book of 

 the Pike,' p. 97.) The solution must be full weak how- 

 ever, as it is so powerful that it destroys the gimp very 

 quickly. I once spoilt several traces and flights with it. 

 They became as rotten as tinder. 



Treatment of Boots, Waterproofs, &c. Neither boots 

 nor coats must be put too near the fire. They may be 

 safely, and with advantage, placed at a reasonable distance 

 from it ; but the best of servants are careless about this, 

 and boots worth many pounds are constantly destroyed by 

 hasty drying. John does not think of it over night, and 

 when the boots are wanted in the morning they are damp. 



