152 SPORT IN EUROPE 



now 41^ lbs., and a stag in the same collection, shot near Leipsic 

 in 1629, has horns of 38 lbs., 40 in. straight length, and 59 in. span, 

 with 24 points ; a stag of 66 points which was killed near Brandenburg 

 1696, weighed 13 lbs., with a span of 40 in., and a length of 31 in. 

 Even in this century a Count Buenau, of Dahlen, shot a stag with 

 antlers weighing 23^^ lbs. avd., and 45 in. straight length, and 46.V in. 

 span. 



GERMAN RED DEER 



In modern times, and under the same influences as in Scotland 

 {i.e. overstocking, insufficiency of winter food, the shooting of the 

 best stags before the rut, increase in the number of hinds, etc.), 

 German deer were losing form and quality. They were saved this 

 ignoble fate about fifteen years ago by the exertions of a few scientists 

 and sportsmen. Professor Neumeister, of Tharandt Forest Academy, 

 Forest- Director Hohlfeld, who, albeit a Bohemian, had his best dis- 

 ciples in Germany, and a few others. Food to promote the growth 

 of antlers is now attracting great attention. The object was attained 

 by keeping the largest males for breeding, killing them only when 

 they had done their duty towards posterity, and by killing the surplus 



