MISCELLANEOUS HINTS. 371 



three different quantities of powder can be measured out, to suit 

 the capacities of different guns. The size of the flask must of 

 course be regulated by the amount of shooting to be done. The 

 one we use will hold very nearly a pound of powder ; and we 

 doubt very much whether these flasks were ever made of a larger 

 size, except when particularly ordered for wild-fowl shooting, or 

 other purposes of a similar nature. We are, however, in favor of 

 a small flask, for convenience as well as safety, even if we are 

 forced to replenish it several times during a day's shooting. We 

 seldom or never more than half fill ours ; but when we have no 

 marker along to carry extra ammunition, and hope to enjoy a fine 

 day's sport, we are tempted to fill it to the brim. The dampness, 

 or rather the salt air, of the sea-shore, is very apt to disarrange 

 the spring or screw of these flasks, and it consequently requires 

 our particular attention ; a little oil or mercurial ointment applied 

 to it will prevent the accumulation of rust. 



ONE BARREL USED MORE THAN THE OTHER. 



The right barrel, in the hands of all sportsmen, is used more 

 frequently than the left, and consequently in old guns is generally 

 found to be far thinner than the left. This habit ought to be 

 avoided as much as possible, and the novice should accustom him- 

 self to pull the trigger of the left-hand barrel with the same 

 facility that he does the right. 



