OF SHOOTING. 225 



are used; the fowling-piece, at the same time, being 

 kept properly clean. 



In pouring the powder into the barrel, the charge 

 should he held as centric as possible over the bore, in 

 order that the grains, in falling, may not adhere to 

 the sides of the barrel; however, if hat-wadding is 

 used, it is of little consequence, as the hat will brush 

 down the adhering grains in its descent. Neither 

 the powder nor the shot should be rammed too hard ; 

 but for a farther illustration of this subject, see the 

 head Proportions of Powder and Shot in the Charge. 



When the sportsman has fired about fourteen times, 

 he should wipe his gun-barrel with tow: there are 

 rods made for this purpose, that screw together in 

 several parts, which render them portable for the 

 pocket, and consequently very convenient. On first 

 going out in the morning, the sportsman should make 

 it a rule to air his gun-barrel, by firing a little pow- 

 der, and also to change his flint every seven or eight 

 times firing, as by this means he will be less liable to 

 the mortification of the piece missing fire. 



There remains still another material point, which 

 it will be necessary to impress on the mind of the 

 sportsman I mean with respect to charging the 

 fowling-piece in a safe position : this will so evident- 

 ly present itself, that any directions for the purpose 

 are unnecessary, and would occupy the time of the 

 writer in describing what common sense points out 

 to every person. 



However, let me conjure the sportsman on no ac- 



