MISCELLANEOUS HINTS. 349 



on tte remaining wads, and shake them np thoroughly for a 

 few moments, when their edges will be found pretty generally 

 anointed * 



We were induced, this season, to make a trial of some French 

 wads, made of a species of coarse elastic /e?<, covered with a thin, 

 partially glazed white paper ; but were not pleased with them 

 for several reasons: Firstly. The felting was not sufficiently 

 stiff' to prevent the wad from turning occasionally in the barrel 

 while being pushed down. Secondly. The felt being of a coarse, 

 spongy, elastic consistency, and withal nearly a quarter of an 

 inch thick, it required some experience to decide exactly when 

 it was driven liome on top of the powder ; and we more than 

 once inadvertently rammed the powder entirely too tight, and 

 a smart recoil was the result. Thirdly. The paper that covers 

 each side of the wad, much to our astonishment, has a slight 

 coat of glazing on it, which rubs or peels off, and not only 

 dirties the Gun, but really scratches the surface of the barrels. 

 This paper, which adds considerably to the stiffness of the wad, 

 in fact, almost constitutes its whole firmness, is merely stuck on 

 the felt by a weak glue or paste, and the consequence is that 

 they get loose in the pocket and drop off, thereby rendering 

 the wad perfectly unmanageable. We might urge other ob- 

 jections, but we suppose the above will be sufficient to induce 

 our readers to avoid them. 



The old style of paper wadding is entirely inadmissible in 

 this age of improvement, and in some sections of country, the 

 Farmers will not permit any one to shoot over their grounds 

 that makes use of paper wadding, for fear of setting fire to the 

 brushwood, or parched grass, during a drought. 



PATENT WASHER, OR WASHING-ROD. 



The patent washer, with all its various paraphernalia, is a 

 very useful article, and should never be omitted from the Sports- 

 man's catalogue. It is not only useful for washing the Gun, but 

 may be used often very advantageously in the field for cleaning 

 or rather unloading the barrels which have become clogged up 

 by repeated firing. The instrument to be attached to the washer 



* Wads can be purchased with their edges already anointed. 



