Rods and Rod Material. 165 



more consistent than the finding of the coroner's jury, 

 that the subject of their deliberations died of consump- 

 tion from having been hung for horse-stealing, somewhat 

 militates against a perfectly satisfactory conclusion. 



Here are a few samples, assigned by those who said 

 they knew all about it: 



1st. It is a religious ceremony. 



2d. They are roasted over a large gridiron to kill the 

 larvae of boring insects. 



3d. It is merely for purposes of ornament. 



4th. That the bamboo grows in jungles, matted to- 

 gether with all manner of climbing and tenacious vines. 

 That before they can be extricated and separated, the 

 jungle must be fired to destroy these creepers. 



5th. That the canes are roasted over a gridiron to 

 burn off the leaves and creepers attached to them, as the 

 most simple and expeditious way to get rid of these. 



6th. That it is done with a hot iron, each cane being 

 treated separately, merely to straighten them. 



I have heard others, but these are quite sufficient for 

 liberal exercise of personal predilection, my own being 

 towards a combination of the reasons numbered 4 and 

 6. Definite and positive information on this point from 

 personal observation, preparatory to an effort to cause a 

 discontinuance of the practice if not absolutely neces- 

 sary, is greatly to be desired. 



To any of my readers who, animated by the hope of 

 obtaining better material than the open market at pres- 

 ent affords, may desire to order a private supply from 

 India, I tender the following advice, wishing them bet- 

 ter luck therein than has fallen to my lot : Order nothing 

 but the butts of the cane, and those of the largest at- 

 tainable diameter, and unburned. Insist that they be 



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