Bods and Rod Material. 199 



where strength and durability are required. It is also 

 extensively used by millwrights, and is an excellent ma- 

 terial for posts, piles, and general dock constructions. 

 It can be obtained in logs of thirty-six feet in length, 

 and sixteen inches square. Its specific gravity is 1.08. 

 A cubic foot weighs 67.3 pounds. 



Since writing the foregoing I have made and used 

 several rods of Dagame, and have seen many made by 

 others. If well selected and well seasoned, as a rod-wood 

 it is difficult to equal, much less excel, as far as my ex- 

 perience goes. Other woods may, perhaps, surpass it a 

 little in some one particular, but in the general average 

 of all the desirable qualities it seems to me the best rod- 

 wood I have ever tried. It is very strong, very elastic, 

 considerably lighter than any wood I know of which 

 has equal strength, and works with a keen tool in a way 

 that is simply a delight. Now that Cuba, its place of 

 growth, is under our dominion, at least for the time 

 being, it ought to be procured without difficulty. That 

 it may be had of ample sizes, straight in the grain and 

 free from knots, is proved by the many such specimens 

 I have seen. My first sample was like a railway-tie in 

 size, and perfect in quality throughout. But just as all 

 beef is not tender, so all dagame wood is not first-class 

 of its kind, as, indeed, is the fact with every other rod 

 material. If ordered, its selection should be confided to 

 one accustomed to work the wood, if possible, even 

 though the order be sent through another, for the same 

 reason that one would not confide the selection of a 

 horse to a book-worm. Ferrules should be about the 

 same as for lance-wood, or a very little larger. Tips 

 may be of the same wood, but split bamboo is better. 

 Indeed, nothing equals split bamboo for that purpose. 



