GUN WADS AND CAPS. 183 



as they are called, with more satisfaction than any 

 other flasks I ever handled. 



For shot-pouches I would recommend those made 

 by the Waterbury Company, or by Dixon, the English 

 manufacturer. 



GUN-WADS AND CAPS. 



It is universally acknowledged that Eley's caps are 

 the best, and indeed about the only ones fit for use. 

 Always get those that fit tightly, without splitting when 

 the hammer is down : the best are the cheapest. 



For gun-wads I also use Eley's. Get those that are 

 one size larger than the gauge. If the gauge is 14, get 

 13 wads ; though, as a cover for the shot, they are 

 rather thick and heavy, and add to the kick of the 

 gun. I sometimes have two kinds in each pocket of 

 my shooting-dress, a thick wad and a thin one, 

 the latter being intended for the cover of shot. 

 When the gun is foul, it is hard to drive down a 

 heavy wad ; nor- does the shot require it. 



If you live in the country, where you cannot pur- 

 chase cut wads, make your own. Get from the shoe- 

 maker's a quantity of waste scrap leather, and let 

 it be thick and somewhat spongy. With your wad- 

 cutter (every owner of a gun should keep one) cut 

 out your wads on the end of a log of wood, recol- 

 lecting to make them one size larger than the bore of 

 the gun. With judgment in the selection of your 

 leather, you can thus get an excellent wad at little ex- 

 pense. For several seasons I have used this kind 



