FISHING GENERALITIES 93 



glues or cements, were as good or better than the 

 rods composed solely of wood. Since then the manu- 

 facture and sale in England of split-cane rods has 

 been very large. A steel centre, which is supposed to 

 give additional flexibility and strength to the rod, is 

 now sometimes inserted. However, on some occa- 

 sions people return to their old loves, and in the case 

 of cane rods this I believe is so. 



Messrs. Farlow, who have kindly furnished me 

 with much valuable information on the subject of 

 what the public now require as regards trout-rods and 

 tackle generally, state that of late many more green- 

 heart rods are being made, and that cane rods are gradu- 

 ally going out of fashion. The butts of these green- 

 heart-built ' limber gads,' as the North-country song 

 calls them, are fined down, and cork grasps fitted on, 

 thereby considerably decreasing the weight of the 

 rod. In fact, Messrs. Farlow consider the day of the 

 cane-built article nearly over. Certainly the prices 

 charged for rods made of cane are ridiculously large 

 as compared with those placed on wooden ones. 

 In addition, the cane rod requires much more 

 looking after and attention than does one composed 

 solely of wood. It has to be sent to the maker 

 every winter to be overhauled ; and though a really 

 good cane rod is a most valuable servant, it is a 



