COURSING, ETC. 221 



of the caliber, and the length of the barrel, 

 with which it will shoot much more at a cer- 

 tainty, and with more effect. It cannot be 

 doubted but the sportsman will make some 

 experiments with his own barrels in order to 

 attain this end : it is certain, that by using 

 small charges at the first, and increasing the 

 quantity of powder by degrees, the range will 

 increase to a certain point ; after which, if 

 the charge be augmented, it will progressively 

 diminish, as in consequence of overloading 

 with shot, the powder has not sufficient 

 strength to throw it to its proper distance ; 

 for if the object fired at be distant, one half 

 of the pellets composing the charge, by their 

 too great quantity and weight, will strike 

 against each other, and be flattened and fall 

 by the way ; and those that reach the mark 

 will have fsmall force, and produce but little 

 or no effect ; therefore to overload is but 

 the strange fancy of some sportsmen, who 

 imagine they cannot kill unless they put an 

 ounce and a half, or more, of large shot into 

 the piece ; it is true that they destroy a 



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