364 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



the finisliing and carving of the handle or other fancy work, 

 we cannot expect to find good metal in the blades. 



CARRYING GAME. 



The old-foshioned cumbersome game-bag is now entirely out 

 of use, and all kinds of Game are carried in pockets appro- 

 priated to that purpose in the Shooting-coat, and of which we 

 will speak more particularly under another head. 



Before putting Birds in the pocket, their feathers should be 

 smoothed down ; and if the Sportsman takes a pride in the ap- 

 pearance of his Game, the blood ought to be wiped from their 

 plumage before it becomes hard and congealed. 



GUNNING CLOTHES. 



Fustian undoubtedly makes the most serviceable coat for 

 field shooting in these latitudes, and although entirely of cotton 

 fabric, is quite warm enough for all kinds of sport, even in the 

 coldest weather, provided we are in motion. 



A coat made of this material is rather warm and heavy for 

 late Snipe shooting, or Cock shooting, as the texture of the 

 cloth is so very close that it will hardly permit of the passage 

 of the insensible perspiration from the body. For this latter 

 kind of work, we prefer a brown linen coat. 



A fustian coat has an important advantage over all kinds of 

 woollen articles, that it does not offer a harbor for moths during 

 the idle season; and, moreover, having very little or no nap, it 

 neither catches the briers so easily, or gets torn by the twigs or 

 thorns. 



We never had but one woollen Shooting-coat, and that was 

 fairly torn to pieces in one season, and the remnants eaten up 

 the following Summer by the moths. 



The pants and vest should all be made of the same material, 

 and have a sufficient quantity of pockets for all purposes. Our 

 suit contains sixteen pockets, and we find them all more or less 

 useful. The cap had likewise better be made of fustian ; it Avill 

 prove warm, strong, and in a measure water-proof; it should 



