THE STOCKING OF GUNS. 15 
them good shots ; at the same time I think there are many 
bad shots who might be much improved. 
I believe that too much importance can not be attached 
to the stocking of guns. Occasionally one will meet with 
men who appear to do equal execution with either a crook- 
ed, straight, long, or short stock; but such are rare, and 
when found you may feel certain that they have possessed 
unusual opportunities for practice. The length of man’s 
arm, neck, and conformation of shoulder are so various, 
that seldom will a gun come up alike to different individ- 
uals: the straight, tall figure wants a crooked stock; the 
short, stout person, the reverse; and intermediate figures, 
the bend between both extremes. I once possessed an excel- 
lent gun, with which I invariably acquitted myself credit- 
ably. The stock had always been an eye-sore, for it was 
composed of objectionable wood, and the previous owner 
had chipped and scratched it so badly that, after length- 
ened hesitation, I determined to have it re-stocked. How- 
ever, when it revertéd from the gun-maker to my hands, I 
was surprised how indifferently I shot with it; but, on ex- 
amination, I found that the new stock was much straighter 
than the old. Again: being in the neighborhood where 
game was abundant, when I did not have one of my own 
guns with me, I borrowed from a friend, and my execution 
was so bad that before the day was over I gave up in dis- 
gust. This gun’s stock was so straight that I doubt if any 
but its owner could use it. In having a gun made, there 
is nothing that should receive from the gun-maker more 
careful observance than the figure of the purchaser; for I 
feel confident that a very.great deal of bad shooting is 
made through want of attention to this point. Again: a 
gun should never possess a superfluous ounce of metal that 
is not necessary to its safety. When we start in the morn- 
ing, fresh and vigorous, after a good night’s rest, the weight 
