54 ON THE WING. 



the muzzle, and still another in the muzzle itself. On 

 the outside of the barrels put mutton-tallow, as before 

 described. Put on the cloth case, and set the gun 

 safely away. Thus treated, it will keep well, if in a 

 clean dry place, and away from the salt sea air. 



There is still another plan for keeping the barrels 

 from rusting within. Get some large wooden rods 

 turned by a lathe to about two sizes smaller than the 

 barrel. If the barrel gauge is 13, a rod of the gauge 

 of 15 will answer. These rods can be got at a trifling 

 expense at any wood-turning factory. 



Cover the rod (leaving about six inches for a handle.) 

 with cotton-flannel which has a fleece or nap, so that 

 it will fill the bore snugly. Then having first oiled 

 the barrels, put in the covered rod. This covered rod, 

 fitting snugly, will prevent more air from getting into 

 the barrels, while its flannel fleece will absorb whatever 

 moisture they may contain. This will be found a very 

 convenient way of preventing rust, and it does not 

 involve as much labor as either of the other means 

 suggested. 



