6 SHOOTING: 



The walnut, maple, cherry-woods confer 



The best of stocks ; the first I most prefer, 



As being closest grain'd and handsomer. 



Percussion locks, the implement complete, 



For flint and steel are almost obsolete, 



The former ne'er miss fire, not e'en the rain 



Will cause your triggers to be pull'd in vain, 



If on the nipple the cap 's firmly set, 



However dire the storm they take no wet 



If upright held ; the nipples should be made 



As short as need be, and their tops concave. 



But tubes among the Dons are now preferr'd, 



They quicker still will bring you down a bird ; 



One of their ends in centre of the load 



Is gently push'd, so that when they explode, 



The body of the powder being inflam'd 



Less grains are profitless, a great point gain'd : 



For trap and open field sport they've maintain'd 



The lead for years, for copse were not much fam'd 



Till Moore invented an ingenious plan 



By which the tubes are held, and never can 



