38 BAITS. 



scouring and preserving worms, is little practised in this 

 country among Anglers generally ; but as the method is very 

 simple, it should be followed by all sportsmen, on account of 

 the increased activity, brightness, and toughness it gives to 

 this favorite bait. A variety of modes are recommended by 

 different writers. The best method is to take a quantity of 

 moss, which can readily be procured in any part of the coun- 

 try, wash it well, and squeeze it till nearly dry, .after which 

 place it in an earthern pot together with your worms. A few 

 days will be sufficient to make them thoroughly scoured, and 

 fit for use. They can be preserved in the same manner for a 

 number of weeks, by changing and washing the moss every 

 three or four days. Should any of them be found sickly or 

 dead, they should be immediately removed, or they will 

 eventually destroy the others. 



The mode of baiting hooks with worms. " To bait with 



single worm, enter the point of the hook a little below the 



aead, threading it carefully, without breaking or bruising it, 



to within a quarter of an inch of the tail ; the shank of the 



hook must be well covered with the worm." 



" To bait with two worms on a hook, enter your hook at 

 the head of the first worm, and bring it out at the middle, and 

 then draw it over the arming* of your hook on the line, then 

 enter the hook at the middle of the second worm, and bring 

 it up to within one quarter of an inch of the head ; draw down 

 the first worm till it meet the second, and your bait will then 

 travel freely on the bottom." 



Another mode of baiting with a single worm, is to enter 

 the point of the hook at the head, and bring it carefully down 

 to within a quarter of an inch of the tail ; and if th,> worm be 



* The place where the hook is tied or whipped on 



