BAIT. 17 



The Tipped Cap Float is made of a light reed 

 or a quill, with ends of ivory or tortoiseshell, 

 tapering to a point. For fishing in ponds or 

 still, slow waters, this float is very suitable, as 

 it sinks at the slightest nibble ; and, as it re- 

 quires few shot to balance it, the fish are not 

 disturbed when you make your cast. 



The Plugged Float is the cheapest, and there- 

 fore the worst. It is formed of a swan quill, or 

 reed, plugged with wood at the lower end. It 

 is very easily made, but the plug is liable to 

 loosen, and get out of order. 



BAIT. 



Bait, of course* varies according to the 

 "taste" of the fish. There is no universal bait 

 which will attract all fish. Stay ! 



Of course the bait of baits is that which is 

 so mystically given in a rare old book on 

 angling. But where is such bait to be found ? 



" To bless thy bait, and make the fish to bite, 

 Lo! here's a means, if thou canst hit it right : 

 Take gum of life (?), well beat and laid to soak, 

 In oil well drawn from that which kills the oak. 

 Fish where thou wilt, thou shalt have sport thy fill ; 

 When others fail, thou shalt be sure to kill." 



If anybody can decipher the recipe, and will 

 test its virtue, we shall be happy to hear from 

 them on the subject ; but, after all, men who 

 "go in" for fishing soon find that bait which 

 brings the most bites. Experience in this, as 

 in other matters, is the best teacher. The 



