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PREFACE. 



I hare said in the first paragraph of this book that a pre- 

 face is a sort of apology, and viewing it in that light, my 

 apology for writing this, is to explain that the demand for 

 a new edition seenis to be so large that I ought to comply 

 with it. In doing so, a great deal of fresh matter has been 

 added to the original text, and the information and direc- 

 tions have been brought down to the present time. The 

 portion relating to the propagation of fish has been entirely 

 remodelled and rewritten, so that nothing of the original 

 matter has been left. That was composed before the art of 

 fish-culture had been developed, and before a single fishery 

 commission had been appointed in this country. Consid- 

 erable advance has also been made in the matter of tackle, 

 rods, and reels, all of which are far better manufactured 

 now in this country, than in any other part of the world, 

 even in that birth-place of the fishing art, England herself. 



Having always been an enthusiast with rod and gun, 

 attributing to the sports of the field and stream the reten- 

 tion of good health amid confining and sedentary occupa- 

 tions, I made the preparation of this work a labor of love, 

 and have with time come to be more than ever impressed 

 with the importance of out-door recreations. Inspiration 

 acquired from the woods and streams, and vigor earned by 

 exercise in the pure air of heaven are good for the soul as 

 well as for the body. 



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