BAITS. 
<2 
English writers on angling highly approve of this bait for 
barbel, roach, dace, chub, and eels. As it can be easily 
procured, and may prove a good bait for some varieties of 
our own fish, we conclude our Chapter on Baits, by giving 
Blaine and Holland’s manner of preparing it. Blaine says : 
“ To prepare them, break a sufficient quantity, over which 
first pour some cold water, and let it stand by all night : in 
the next morning, pour oft' the cold, and in lieu of it pour 
some warm, but not very hot water; after this has stood an 
hour or two, the parts of the greaves will separate, from 
which choose as baits the largest, whitest, and most connect- 
ed pieces, which cover with leaves, or wrap in a moist cloth 
for use. When fishing, hang one, two, or three of the whitest 
pieces on the hook, concealing the point.” Holland says: 
” They must be chopped into small pieces, placed in an 
earthen pan, and boiling water poured on them till covered, 
when in one hour, the slimy particles will have softened and 
separated, and become fit for use : when mixed with clay and 
bran, they form an excellent ground bait. Graves should be 
newly scalded for every day’s fishing, for if stale, they do 
more barm than good.” 
The following beautiful lines by Cotton, the celebrated 
Angler, and friend of Walton, may serve to remind their dis- 
ciples of many requisites for success, which put in plain prose 
might possibly be forgotten. 
Away to the brook, 
All your tackle out-look, 
Here’s a day that is worth a yenr’s wishing, 
See that all things be right, 
For ’twould be a spite 
To want tools when a man goes a-fishing. 
