82 OBSERVATIONS 



as the silk will then draw freely, and wrap 

 closer; pitch tempered with tallow is the 

 best for the purpose; shoemakers' wax has 

 rosin in it, which makes it brittle, and it will 

 soon wash off. 



Oil your rods in summer with linseed oil, 

 drying them in the sun, taking care the parts 

 lie flat ; they should be often turned, to pre- 

 vent them from warping: this will render 

 them tough, and prevent them being worm- 

 eaten ; in time they will acquire a beautiful 

 brown colour. Should they get wet, which 

 swells the wood and makes it fast in the 

 sockets, turn the part round over the flame 

 of a candle a short time, and it will be easily 

 set at liberty. 



Never wind your lines on your reel wet, 

 at least when you get home wrap them round 

 the back of a chair, and let them be thorough- 

 ly dried, otherwise they will soon rot and 

 cannot be depended on ; with this care they 

 will last a considerable time. 



