CARE OF THE RODS 31 



cement applied while hot on a toothpick. Do 

 not heat the agate, as it may crack. 



Every rodmaker has a cement of his own 

 and neither sells it nor discloses its ingredients, 

 but when all is said on this subject, there are 

 few cements that will hold longer than shellac. 

 Take a jar of orange shellac that is old and 

 sticky. Moisten with a few drops of alcohol 

 until it resembles molasses candy. Warm, ap- 

 ply, and be happy. 



Take up a rod that has frayed or loose 

 windings here and there; remove all of these 

 and prepare to renew them. Tackle dealers 

 will supply you with winding silk. The colors 

 most used are pale red, black, grass green, and 

 jasper (mottled black and white or brown and 

 white). With the exception of black, all silk 

 darkens when varnished, hence no matter what 

 color you select, see that it is one or two shades 

 lighter than your first choice. Avoid lilac, pur- 

 ple and other delicate shades, as they will fade 

 on being exposed to the sunlight. Orange is 

 a good color, and if you desire less of the so- 

 called barber-pole effect, select cream-colored 

 silk, which is practically transparent under the 

 varnish. Lemon is another shade that gives a 

 nice effect under varnish. 



If you must depend on dry goods shops for 



