410 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



Directions foe Dyeing Gut. — The following is taken 

 from the " Fly-Fisher's Text-Book," by Chitty. I have found 

 his receipt for dyeing a neutral tint to produce a color so 

 much to my liking, that I have used it for twelve years with- 

 out trying the compounds for producing other shades. 



" General Directions for Dyeing Gut. — In an earthen pipkin 

 boil about one pint and a half of cold water with the dyeing 

 ingredients I shall mention presently. When these have 

 boiled about ten minutes, take the pipkin off the fire, and after 

 a minute or so, immerse the gut, tied, if at all, very loosely, 

 and leave it in the still bubbling liquid, so long only by the 

 watch, as I direct, and it is dyed enough ; for observe, that 

 these are all tried means. On taking the gut from the pipkin, 

 cast it into a basin of clean cold water, and rinse it well ; wipe 

 it, and let it dry awhile : then take each length separately, 

 and holding it by the end between the fore teeth, rub it with 

 India-rubber, which not only cleans and straightens it, but 

 also tests its strength, avoiding the necessity of doing so 

 again when about to be called into use. After this, clip off 

 the bad ends and tie all upneatly together, and keep it, at full 

 length, in a paper or parchment case, with an inner one of thin 

 paper rubbed with olive-oil, which, in moderation, preserves 

 gut. 



" Particular Recipes. — The ingredients are as follows ; and 

 first in my esteem is, 



" No. 1. — An azure or neutral tint (similar to ink-dye): — 



" 1 drachm Logwood, 

 6 grains Copperas, 



Immersed 2J or 3 minutes. 



"No. 2. — An azure tint, more pink than the last : — 



" 1 drachm Logwood, 

 1 scruple Alum, 



Immersed 3 minutes. 



