HINTS ON PUNTING TO FOWL 249 
single-handed punts is performed by first gaining ‘‘ way” 
on the punt, then taking powerful and deliberate strokes to 
keep her going. A stop in a running tideway complicates 
matters, for, paddling amidships, the utmost skill is required 
to veer round and regain motion in the right direction. 
Setting, as far as pushing is concerned, may be soon 
learned. It is the swing of the stroke as you lie flat, and 
the power is given in such a direction as will assist you to steer. 
The latter is done by side pressure on the spur; yet, if the 
shove is not properly given, with the correct amount of ‘‘ pull 
in,” the steering is counterbalanced beyond repair, not so 
much because the boat cannot be brought to bear on the fowl 
quickly again, but because all forward motion for the time 
must be lost in regaining the course. The use of the single 
side-paddle in a double punt, as far as our experience teaches 
us, is never of much service except under favourable conditions 
of wind and tide, as it rather serves the purpose of steering 
than propelling the punt. The art of using a spoon paddle lies 
in being able to work it low over the side deck of the punt as 
you lie on your back, facing front. 
Artificial devices have been employed whereby wildfowlers 
who do not reside on the coast or near fowling quarters may 
practise sculling and poling. We have personally never used 
any of these appliances ; but we rightly recommend them in a 
way as being of value in strengthening the wrist and generally 
teaching or portraying to the mind of the beginner some idea 
of the subject. It must not be supposed, however, that this 
kind of practice is of any further assistance to practical work- 
ing. Space will not permit much reference to this branch of 
our subject, as it is away from the practical point. We simply 
add that the method or arrangement for artificial practice is 
such, that, by elastic-band tension on a scull working in a spur, 
the punter gains a resistance and works against it, lying flat, of 
course, in a similar position to tat which he would have to 
