FISHING-ROD VARNISH. 15 



useless. No article is of more delicate structure, or 

 more easily injured by rough and improper treatment, 

 than a fishing-rod. The careful angler will, therefore, 

 always take his rod to pieces, and replace it in 

 its bag the moment he ceases operations. By such 

 treatment, it will retain its spring and elasticity unim- 

 paired for a great number of years ; in fact, I have 

 continued to use the same rod for twenty-five years, and 

 that not a little, and it is as perfectly straight, free from 

 warp, and as elastic and efficient, as the day it left the 

 shop ; and what is more, has only been once accidentally 

 fractured. 



At the end of each season it is advisable to re- 

 varnish the rod and lay it carefully aside. The follow- 

 ing varnish will be found excellent, possessing a strong 

 body, and becoming quickly dry. 



FISHING-BOD VARNISH. 



Gum sanderach 4 oz. 



Pale seed lac - 2 oz. 



Gum elemi - 1 oz. 



Alcohol 1 quart. 

 Agitate the gums occasionally till dissolved, and then 

 add 



Venice turpentine - 2 oz. 



If a brown colour be desired, add four drams of 

 brown, or two drams of black sealing-wax. 



Half a dozen coats of shell lac, dissolved in rectified 

 spirit of wine, may also answer the purpose very well, 



