MISCELLANEOUS HINTS. 397 



our sporting friends, as we have too often observed when on shoot- 

 ing-excursions. Not a few of them spend half an hour or more over 

 their guns, rubbing and squirting dirty water about, when the 

 whole might be completed in a few minutes if a certain system was 

 adopted. Our method for this important duty towards our fowl- 

 ing-piece is as follows : 



The barrels are first to be removed from the stock ; the leading 

 to be loosened by the brisk friction of the wire-brush before spoken 

 of. This being accomplished, the brush is to be withdrawn and the 

 muzzle turned downwards, when the leading will run out. 



Cold water is now to be poured into the barrels, and the ramrod, 

 with the patent wiper attached to it, is to be used briskly for a few 

 minutes in thoroughly rubbing the barrels. 



This done to our satisfaction, rinse the barrels several times 

 with cold water, seeing that the nipple-holes are all clear; then 

 pour into them boiling hot water, being provided with a heavy 

 cloth of some kind to grasp the barrel with, otherwise the hands 

 may be blistered, as the metal soon becomes extremely hot from 

 the application of the water ; make lively use of the rod for a few 

 moments, then rinse out with boiling water, wipe the barrels off as 

 dry as possible, and place the muzzle downwards before the fire to 

 dry. A little olive-oil or other fresh grease may afterwards be 

 used on the barrels to preserve their polish and keep from rusting. 

 All this may be accomplished in a very few minutes, certainly not 

 exceeding fifteen. If hot water be used first, in place of cold, the 

 powder adhering to the barrels will become soft and form itself 

 into a kind of cake, which will be far more difficult to remove; 

 therefore we particularly recommend the employment of the cold 

 first and the hot afterwards. 



If the gun is to be put away, not to be used for some time, a 

 little more caution will be necessary in wiping the barrels perfectly 

 dry, to prevent rust as well as preserve their polish. 



This will require considerable friction with a piece of flannel or 

 other woollen cloth. 



It is quite unnecessary to remove the breeches more than once 



