206 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



samples of the same variety of wood vary considerably 

 in weight, due largely, doubtless, to difference in season- 

 ing. I have seen specimens of lancewood, of apparently 

 equal density, some of which would float, while others 

 would sink in ordinary well-water. 



The same may be said as to the hexagonal split-bam- 

 boo. Since the rind of this is heavier and the pithy por- 

 tion lighter than water, it follows that the specific gravi- 

 ty of any portion of such a rod must vary as the relative 

 proportions of these constituents vary. Therefore this 

 must be greatest at the end of the tip, and thence gradu- 

 ally diminish towards the handle. It is believed, how- 

 ever, that the average specific gravity of a good eight- 

 ounce rod of this description will approximate closely to 

 the figures of the table. 



Since the foregoing was written, the United States 

 Forestry Department has conducted a series of timber 

 tests extending over more than six years. In scope, 

 thoroughness, and the perfection of the testing methods 

 and appliances used, this series of investigations is said 

 never to have been equalled in its field. 



The following facts extracted from the Department 

 reports may possibly interest those who make wooden 

 ro( j s particularly those who procure their own mate- 

 rial. 



The main factor in determining the strength of dif- 

 ferent specimens of wood of the same kind is its dry- 

 ness. When air-dry a given stick will be about seventy- 

 five per cent, stronger than when green or water-soaked. 

 The reason of this is very plain. The strength of the 

 wood depends upon the strength of the material the 

 cells of which it is composed. Moisture softens and 

 consequently weakens the cell walls. 



