A Match at Chickens 177 



these days, with men ready to pay well for good 

 shooting, a wise farmer can make his chicken 

 crop quite a profitable item — certainly one well 

 worth taking care of. If grass has to be burnt, 

 it should be late in the fall. This means a better 

 growth next season and without any particular 

 damage. The other fires come under the head 

 of accidents which will continue as long as 

 mortals remain careless and engines are allowed 

 to belch forth sparks. 



In regard to trapping, little need be said. Vigor- 

 ous, efiRcient game wardens will in time suppress 

 much of it. In any event the writer has not the 

 slightest intention of taking the chances of spread- 

 ing possibly pernicious literature, by describing 

 in detail the several forms of traps which he has 

 found and kicked to flinders, or otherwise put out 

 of commission. The other foes, furred, feathered, 

 and scaled, will meet their end as settlement 

 increases. 



A MATCH AT CHICKENS 



My second visit to the western club which 

 had kindly extended the guest's privilege was 

 productive of a big surprise. The colonel was 

 in the library, and, as usual, was surrounded by 

 a half-dozen grinning members, for the colonel 

 was a character, and when he opened his mouth 

 there were liberated words of huge wisdom and 

 exceeding joy. 



