CHAP. X. 



THE FOURTH DAT. 223 



after to cast your ground-bait, and to fish, to half an inch ; 

 that the lead lying on, or near the ground-bait, the top 

 of the float may only appear upright halt an inch above the 

 water. 



Thus you having found and fitted for the place and 

 depth thereof, then go home and prepare your ground- 

 bait ; which is, next to the fruit of your labours, to be 

 regarded. 



The Ground-Salt. 



You shall take a peck, or a peck and a half, according to 

 the greatness of the stream, and deepness of the water, 

 where you mean to angle, of sweet gross-ground barley 

 malt, and boil it in a kettle ; one or two worms is 

 enough: then strain it through a bag into a tub, the 

 liquor whereof hath often done my horse much good ; and 

 when the bag and malt is near cold, take it down to the 

 water-side about eight or nine of the clock in the evening, 

 and not before : cast in two parts of your ground-bait, 

 squeezed hard between both your hands, it will sink pre- 

 sently to the bottom, and be sure it may rest in the very 

 place where you mean to angle : if the stream run hard, or 

 move a little, cast your malt in handfuls a little the higher, 

 upwards the stream. You may, between your hands, close 

 the malt so fast in handfuls, that the water will hardly part 

 it with the fall. 1 



Your ground thus baited, and tackling fitted, leave your 

 bag with the rest of your tackling and ground-bait near the 

 sporting place all night ; and in the morning, about three 

 or four of the clock, visit the water-side, but not too near, 

 for they have a cunning watchman, and are watchful them- 

 selves too. 



Then gently take one of your three rods, and bait your 

 hook, casting it over your ground-bait ; and gently and 

 .secretly draw it to you, till the lead rests about the middle 

 of the ground-bait. 



Then take a second rod and cast in about a yard above, 

 and your third a yard below the first rod, and stay the rods 



1 The best way is to piit a pebble proportioned to your ball within the 

 middle, closing it well. BROWNE. 



