ROD AND TACKLE 31 



periments with six different oils tend to show that it is 

 of great importance that the oil should dry, or, to use 

 a more correct expression, should oxidise very slowly 

 and gradually, and that the admixture of minute 

 quantities of litharge, gold-size, or other dryer is 

 harmful more in hastening this oxidizing process than 

 in effecting an injurious chemical or corrosive action 

 on the silk. I have, however, been informed by an 

 experienced chemist that the green linseed oil im- 

 ported from the Baltic has better and more permanent 

 water-proofing powers than the ordinary yellow or 

 brown oils which come from Calcutta." 



" Most amateurs are deterred from dressing their 

 own material by the idea that it is essential that the 

 lines should be stretched out at full length and in the 

 open air for the purpose of drying. This is quite 

 a mistake. It is better, if possible, to stretch the line, 

 as the tension of the silk tends to squeeze out the 

 surplus oil from the centre, which then has a better 

 chance of drying. But lines can be stretched on 

 frames when space is a consideration, and if, after 

 each coat, the places of contact of the line with the 

 bars of the frame be arranged so as not to coincide 

 and the line is not left on too long, the pressure of 

 the bars will have no permanent ill-effect upon the 

 surface of the line. It is advisable to remove the 

 lines from the frames as soon as the outside of 

 the dressing is dry, coil them up in loose hanks 

 and hang them up in a warm room to complete the 

 drying." 



