78 How to make a Landing-net. 



of hoop may be formed into an irregular oval of an egg 

 shape. The circular rim should be nicely spliced and 

 glued. The oval one is only to be tied on to the thin 

 iron which is bent to suit it and is attached to the male 

 screw. Either of these is to be pierced with holes, 

 according to the number of loops on the circumference 

 of your net. This net should not be so large in the 

 mesh as to let minnows pass through, because it will be 

 found useful in taking them when required. By no 

 means carry a cabbage-net run on to an iron bow with a 

 shaft about a yard long, no one professing to be an 

 Angler would be seen with such an appendage. If you 

 cannot make a net yourself, either purchase one or get 

 some lady friend to make one for you, after this method, 

 which is taken from " Notes on Nets," by the Hon. C. 

 Bathurst : " Net a piece of dead netting of any number 

 of loops in a row, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, but always observe 

 an odd number ; net double the number of rows save 

 one, i. e. 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29, that you have netted 

 loops ; this done, draw out the foundation string and fix 

 it in the middle of the square piece and net round and 

 round it. The corner loops want a little humouring at 

 first, for a few rounds. The first mesh at each corner 

 will wear a triangular shape ; but this will be no dis- 

 sight, if carefully managed. Some netters make their 

 square too large, which does not look well, and is by no 

 means necessary. A small square will lay the foun- 

 dation for a good sized net, and you can always increase 

 the circumference by putting in false meshes when you 

 please, but you must observe regularity in this, and 

 divide the circle into equal parts for their insertion, 

 otherwise the net will be lop-sided." After this is 

 netted, if of thread, have it tanned for a few days, it 

 will greatly preserve it ; but silk twist makes the lightest 

 and best net. This done, cut a groove all round your 



