226 OF SHOOTING, 



ed. For the same reason, the sportsman 

 should fire off a little powder before he loads 

 the first time, as it has been found, even in 

 the driest seasons, that the coldness of the 

 barrel, and perhaps some little moisture con- 

 densed in its cavity, has sensibly diminished 

 the force of the powder in the first discharge. 

 Some sportsmen prime before they load ; 

 this may be proper when the touch-hole is 

 enlarged, because in that case if the piece is 

 not first primed it will, in loading, prime it- 

 self* which diminishes the charge ; but when 

 the touch-hole is of its proper size, the piece 

 ^ould never be primed until after it is load- 

 ed, for then it will be known from the few 

 grains of powder which- usually make their 

 way into the pan, that the touch-hole is clear 

 and unobstructed ; and on the contrary if no 

 grains come through, that it will be proper 

 to strike the but-end of the gun smartly with 

 your hand, and to prick the touch-hole till 

 they appear. But whether the practice is to 

 prime before or after loading the piece, it is 

 highly proper after every discharge to prick 



