MISCELLANEOUS HINTS. 401 



barrels to be rubbed with this, and, after three days, wiped off with 

 a linen cloth. Twice in a winter will keep off the rust, which the 

 salt water is otherwise sure to be continually bringing out from 

 the iron. 



In spite, however, of all these precautions, but more frequently 

 owing to the negligence of the sportsman, rust will sometimes accu- 

 mulate on the surface as well as the interior of the barrels, which 

 not only renders them unsightly, but is really very detrimental to 

 the metal ; therefore we are constrained to give in this place some 

 instructions for the removal of this troublesome deposit and the 

 restoration of the barrels to their original beauty. 



We do not think that we could better accomplish this end, or do 

 more justice to our readers, than by transcribing the directions 

 given under this head by the talented Blain : 



" Have an ashen rod turned a few inches longer than the barrel, 

 and so nearly of the size of the bore as to allow of the following 

 process : Let one end of the rod be cut lengthwise so as to make 

 a slit of six inches long, into which slit enter as much fine emery- 

 paper as will completely fill up the bore of the barrel, taking care 

 in folding the paper tightly round the wood that the emery-surface 

 is outward. Force it into the barrel by screwing it downwards 

 from the top to the bottom ; repeat this process until the barrel is 

 as clean and as polished as when it left the maker's hands. It is 

 needless to remark, after the cautions we have given against using 

 sand or any coarse matter that can abrade the surface of the 

 barrel, that it is only the finest emery that should be used, from 

 which, if judiciously employed on only one or two such occasions 

 as these, no injurious effects can be apprehended. We need not 

 inform the observant reader that iron or steel well polished will 

 not attract rust so readily as when, being slightly abraded, it offers 

 small indentations, by which the minute aqueous particles are de- 

 tained. It may be asked, after all this, Would it not be better to 

 send the gun to be repolished by the gunmaker? It would save 

 trouble, we grant; but will he not overdo the matter, and thus 



weaken the barrel?" 



26 



