THE WADDING. 20/ 



it is very advisable that the sportsman should get his 

 chargers so adjusted as to contain exactly the requi- 

 site quantity. 



Nothing can he more ahsurd, than the vulgar 

 notion of heavy loading, particularly with shot; as it 

 destroys the very purpose it was meant to promote. 

 If more than a proper quantity of powder is used, 

 part of it will be discharged unburnt ; and to over- 

 load with shot will cause the pellets to strike against 

 each other, and fall by the way, and those which 

 reach the mark will have but little force, and conse- 

 quently, produce little effect ; in either case, how- 

 ever, the recoil will be greatly increased, and the 

 piece in danger of bursting. 



The Wadding. 



There are many sportsmen who consider the wad- 

 ding as an object of the greatest importance ; whilst 

 others are of opinion that it is of little consequence. 

 Now, although it be granted that the material which 

 covers the shot, and which is used only for the pur- 

 pose of keeping it down, is of little importance, yet 

 the material which covers the powder is undoubtedly 

 a matter of much consideration ; as it should be 

 quite close in the barrel, and that without being 

 rammed too hard : the wadding should therefore be 

 of a soft and tractable material, but at the same time 



