So here we have a very attractive fish, but it is not them in whom we are interested, it is the humble worm, which is a really useful little friend to have in your compost, for they much enjoy munching through the small pieces of fruit and vegetables that you donate. The waste that they produce at their other ends then goes into your compost all over again. It is not much use putting in garden worms though, what you need are these little red ones, known as brandlings, which are more active, and hungry eaters of your donations. And you get them at a fishing tackle shop, which you can then exit in the certain knowledge that they will have a much happier time with you than dangling at the end of a hook.
If you have children, or are fascinated by wriggling things, this is a great way to compost - and it also means you do not need such a large container, because this method can be done in a small plastic bin, once holes have been made to allow liquids out and air in.
In our original Churchman reference book (RB.10, published in 1948) this set is described as :
57. May 1914. 50. FISH AND BAIT (titled series). Size 2 11/16" x 1 7/16" or 67 x 36 m/m. Numbered 1-50. Fronts lithographed in colour. Backs in blue, with descriptions. Printed by Mardon, Son & Hall. Also issued by Wills, and I.T.C. in Canada.
Our original Wills Reference Book part III lists the Wills version as "[W/] 62. 50. FISH AND BAIT. Fronts lithographed in colour; backs in grey with descriptive text. Home issue, 1910. Similar series issued by Churchman and Imperial Tobacco Co. of Canada (marked "6636")" From Wills own records, we can add a month of issue for this set too, that being May 1910.
In our World Tobacco Issues Indexes our version is listed as :
FISH & BAIT. Sm. Nd. (50). See H.65.
The Wills listing differs not in these books, but the I.T.C. of Canada version again cites the serial number on the cards, "6636". This Canadian version was actually issued much later too, in 1924. And it also appears in Jefferson Burdick`s American Card Catalogue, as "C11. Fish and Bait. (50). Br." He valued them at .15 cents a card. By the way "Br." meant that there was a version of the set issued in Britain, which American collectors probably found as much of a novelty as we do when we find identical overseas versions of our cards.