THE SPLIT BAMBOO ROD 135 



makers soon began to make them, and now I 

 doubt if you could tell whether one was made 

 in England or America that is, the best 

 makes." 



With this opinion I cannot agree, although 

 I will admit that the best makes of British rods 

 exhibited in this country during the last three 

 years have been far superior to the same sort 

 sent over ten or more years ago. In some of 

 their so-called best rods the joining of the 

 strips is very bad, while for some reason best 

 known to themselves, British makers stub- 

 bornly cling to those abominable contrivances, 

 the lock-fast ferrules, and refuse to believe 

 what was common knowledge on this side a 

 generation ago that there is no other ferrule 

 worth while than our common German silver 

 suction ferrule. Using brass as they do, it is 

 not to be wondered at that they cannot make 

 these " stay put," and must perforce resort to 

 locking devices. 



Our makers stand on the platform that six 

 strips of cane cannot be improved in any way 

 known to science or art. On the other hand, 

 we find British makers resorting to all sorts of 

 devices that are alleged to be intended to stiffen 

 or strengthen their rods. Some put steel cen- 

 ters in the joints ; others wind the joints spirally 



