302 Book of the Black Bass. 



light, dry, and capable of being easily rowed or paddled; 

 and, in order to meet these requirements, considerable at- 

 tention should be given to its model and construction. It 

 should not be too long, and shoiild have beam enough to 

 give stability, but not so much as to render it logy. A well 

 for minnows may be constructed under one of the thwarts, 

 with a two-inch hole in the bottom covered with brass wire 

 screen cloth, through which the water may have free access. 

 With such a contrivance minnows will live for weeks. 



Of late years great attention has been given by builders 

 to the construction of suitable small boats, for the angler 

 and sportsman, at a moderate price, so that there is now no 

 excuse for the employment of such death-traps as leaky 

 scows and cranky, unsafe skifEs. 



I am aware that most anglers, who use boats, depend on 

 hiring them at the usual fishing resorts; but that is no 

 excuse, for the amount usually paid for boat hire during a 

 fishing vacation would be more than ample for the pur- 

 chase and freight charges of a good, safe, dry, and comfort- 

 able boat. 



