454 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



contain it. Now with a good flame of gas, or a spirit-lamp 

 used for such purposes, direct a jet of flame on the ferule with 

 the blowpipe until the solder flows over the searn. 



There is some knack in using the blowpipe. Hard puffs 

 which exhaust the breath are not as efficacious in producing 

 the requisite heat as a more gentle but continuous blowing. 

 Persons accustomed to the use of this implement acquire a 

 way of inhaling through the nostrils and blowing with the 

 mouth at the same time, making thereby a very long exhala- 

 tion ; it is done by distending the cheeks and working the 

 jaws somewhat in imitation of the blowing of a blacksmith's 

 bellows. 



Those who make ferules in quantities, of course braze 

 them in a charcoal furnace ; but as the limited space of an 

 amateur's workshop does not often allow of such an appliance, 

 it is well to learn the use of the blowpipe, which, in fact, is 

 indispensable in delicate soldering. In using gas it is better 

 to remove the ordinary burner and direct the full stream on 

 the ferule, or procure what is termed an Argand or a jewel- 

 ler's burner. The common gutta-percha tube is convenient 

 in bringing the gas to any convenient place on a work-bench 

 or table. The ferule should have no grease on it to interfere 

 'with the soldering. It is well also before binding with it wire 

 to dip the brush in the borax while it is thin, and pass it 

 between the edges. 



The ferule should be allowed to cool of itself, as dipping it 

 in water impairs the toughness of the brass. When the wire 

 bindings are taken off, the inner surface should be scaled 

 with a rat- tail file, and any surplus solder along the seam 

 removed. Brass is always annealed by heating it to a red 

 and allowing it to cool gradually, and of course the ferule is 

 soft and not fit for use unless it is hardened. This is done 

 by hammering lightly, as it is rounded and stretched over the 



