WHERE GENTLES MAY BE GOT. 253 



last moderately, as the gentles will sink to the 

 bottom. This box may be then placed in any out- 

 door cool situation, and the mould at times be 

 slightly moistened ; or it may be buried a foot or 

 two in the earth, if convenient, and will then re- 

 quire no moistening. The advantages we derived 

 from a long box were, that we could turn up the 

 earth in it at one end to procure the gentles we 

 wanted, without admitting air or disturbing the 

 whole mass. It is, of course, some trouble to un- 

 cover the box when buried, but in this case the 

 trouble is amply repaid by the cleanliness of the 

 process, for the earth prevents any effluvia from 

 annoying the angler in removing the gentles, and 

 once a fortnight will be sufficient to effect this. 

 During the early winter months fresh supplies 

 may be added to them, as they may be obtained 

 from the holes and corners of fell-mongers' yards, 

 the melting-houses of tallow-chandlers, or the 

 killing-houses of the knackers in London, and 

 at collar makers, huntsmen's lodges, &c. in the 

 country. All this trouble is only necessary for 

 the country angler, as London anglers can usually 

 supply themselves the year through with gentles 

 from fishing-tackle shops, and also from the 

 knacker's or horse -killer's, where some of the 

 finest may be procured, although a prejudice 

 exists against them when thus obtained, which is 

 fostered by the regular venders, who affirm that 



