FOREST AND STREAM. 



425 



the fishing station of Mr. Antrim, to whom we were welcome, he 

 having hoard nothing from the States for months. 



August IS. — We have been detained here for three days by 

 a bead wind, and employed ouraelves in exploring and hunting. 

 The latter waa not very successful ; the game ie soaroo and wild, 

 and the country impracticable. The wild fruit we found abundant 

 —whortleberries as large a9 hazel jiuta, and of fine flavor ; also 

 the wild pear, which is a fruit about the size of a musket ball, of 

 a deep purple, and delioiona flavor, similar to a pear. The fiBhing 

 hare has not yot commenced for the season. S. C. C. 



<Jte Hnd Sra^ping. 



Rats to the Rescue,— There is no better trap for mink 

 rats and small fur-bearing animals than the contrivance known 

 as the "Eagle Claw," some time ago advertised in our columns. 

 It is also successfully used in catching fish, When set it is 

 wide open with the bait in the centre. A tug at the bait 

 springs the claw, -which closes with a deadly grip. We set 

 one the other night in our cellar for rats, which had become 

 bold and troublesome, baiting it with a piece of meat and 

 suspending it four or five inches from the ground by a stout 

 cord fastened to an old window blind leaning against the 

 wall. We have never seen that trap since, nor a trace of the 

 cord to which it was attached 1 Traces on the sand showed 

 Where the trap had been dragged off. Had the trap been 

 sprung without catching the rat which seized the bait, the 

 rat would have run away and left the trap hanging. Of 

 course the rat was caught by the head and transfixed by the 

 eight or ten sharp points of the claw, and consequently .killed. 

 How then did he get away with trap ? Simply enough. 

 His rodent friends removed him. They could not cut the 

 cord above its connection with the trap, because it was too 

 high for them to reach. Had they done so the portion of the 

 cord so cut would have remained fastened to the blind. They 

 merely climbed up the blind, gnawed the cord off, and then 

 descending, carried off the corpse, trap, cord and all, leaving 

 no traces except the tracks in the sand. There's fidelity for 

 you ! But ithe trap cost 75c, Lesson— alwsys fastea your 

 trap with a chain. 



Good Cotjntetfok Tbaiteks.— Editor Forest and Stream.-. 

 I left West Point. White Co,, Ark., Nov. 5, on horseback, 

 deeming it safest to go overland through the different river 

 bottoms by private conveyance, it being the most pleasant 

 time of the year for that kind of travel, and at the same time 

 allowing me fine opportunity to look up prospects for game 

 and trapping in this paradise of the hunter. At Bayou Des- 

 arc, at noon, I examined the banks for sign, and can say 

 thut I saw more coon and mink sign than I ever saw before. 

 I think two good trappers could take at least 100 animals 

 there per week, very little otter and no beaver. At 1 r. m, 

 crossed White Eiver. Half mile further brought me to 

 ,; Surrounded Hill;" very rich lands, cotton fields white ; a 

 number of hands in the several fields plucking the fleecy 

 staple. They informed me that they received 75 cents per 

 hundred, with board, too much for the present price of cot- 

 ton. Game is plentiful there but no hunting — cotton-pick- 

 ing pays better. The "hill" is 4 miles wide, after which 

 we descend into Cache River bottom that looks very much 

 like from Coldwater to White-oak. Saw plenty of squir- 

 rels, and was informed by an old hunter thut bear and deer 

 abound there at this season of the year. The overflow drives 

 them back to the high ground east of Cache, which stream 

 I struck about a mile below the ferry. Going up the bank, 

 I saw several flocks of ducks, and one lone wild goose crossed 

 about sunset. Two and a half miles beyond Maberry's 

 Perry, I stopped with Mr. Fcnnell (one and a half miles 

 from Cotton Plant), whose charges were very light, and ac- 

 commodations good. At sunrise was again on the road, 

 passed a small tree on which a dog had two coons at bay. 

 Cotton Plant is a nice little place of three or four stores, 

 harness, shoe and blacksmith-shop. This village is thirteen 

 miles west of Bnnkley, at which place I crossed the M. & 

 L. B. R. Two miles west of Brinkley is Bayou Deview 

 On prospecting this place I found coon and mink sign — 

 nothmgmore. Travelling 36 miles further, I stopped at 

 Rev. Mr. Henderson's, three miles from Marvel Station on 

 Ark. Cent, R. R., and 24 miles from Helena. Reached 

 Helena next day, 1 r. jr., ferry ready, just got on in time, 

 and was greatly surprised to find A. T. Hudson, the king 

 of bear hunters of the Coldwater regions, After landing on 

 the Mississippi side, and as we rode along together to Aus- 

 tin, he told me of lately trapping three fine bears, and kill- 

 iug one in this way : Passing through the woods he found 

 the carcass of a cow — there had apparently been a bear feed- 

 ing on it, so going back a little ways he hitched his horse, 

 and concealing himself near the carcass, he had only to wait 

 a short time for bruin to make his appearance. A ball from his 

 unerring gun killed it, and it proved to be very fat, cutting 

 2£ inches of clear fat on the ribs. Lay over at Austin until 

 the following day, when I made the balance of the distance, 

 148 miles east to Hudson, on the east bank of Coldwater. 

 J. M. Libdlbt. 



Hudmn, Tate Co., Dec. 5, 1878. 



The Skunk.— As the trapping season draws around every 

 amateur thinks of his traps, and, if not convenient to engage 

 in his favorite sport, naturally delights in hearing something 

 relating to the art, or about the haunts and habits of the dif- 

 ferent fur-bearing animals so numerous in many parts of our 

 broad land. The stunk is considered a fit subject for the 

 steel trap of every urchin, the spite of every cur, and he is 

 given all the room needed when anybody meets him on the 

 public highway or by chance he crosses their path after night. 

 We might appropriately term him a wandering gypsy, as he 

 is without any permanent abode, unless by chance he moveB 

 into a comfortable woodchuck's hole. If the occupant chooses 

 to receive him into the family, which sometimes happens, 

 they occupy the same hole quietly and peaceably ; but if, on 

 the other hand, the woodchuck is loo high-toned for such 

 miscellaneous company, the skunk allows Mm to move out 



without any feeling of malice whatever. The i 

 great rambler, preferring dark, rainy or foggy nights, when 

 he will frequently visit, a hen-roost or make sad havoc among 

 the young chickens; or, best of all, if he can find a nestof 

 eggs he leaves nothing but the shells. They are quite easily 

 taken in the steel trap or choker, and, in the thickly-settled 

 communities, form the principal animal for the far:,. 

 to catch. A number " 0" Newhouse trap is large enough, and 

 should be placed in the mouth of a woodchuck hole and 

 slightly covered with grass or leaves. When placed in Ul ie 

 manner they need no bait ; but if such a place is not Conve- 

 nient, a pen can soon be built and the trap set at the entrance, 

 baited from within with a piece of dead chicken or other 

 fresh meat, and no difficulty will be experienced in his cap- 

 ture. Approach him from behind and hit, him a sharp stroke 

 on the back of the neck, and there will be little trouble. The 

 hide should be taken off whole and stretched over a board 

 and dried in the shade. They commaud the best prices gen- 

 erally in February or early in March. Shbthab-boznai. 



Jfttswm to §M[re8pmtdtni8. 



Ho Notice Taken at Anonrinon* UoauaunioBtlaas 



Where to ao for Game. — Correspondents who send us 

 specific questions as to where to find best localities for game 

 and fish are referred to our game columns, All the newB that 

 comes to us is there given. By keeping themselves informed 

 from this source our friends will save themselves and us 

 much trouble. Read the paper. 



English Snips— See game notice at Head of this column. 



W. li. 8., Bangor, Me.— Yon will And your original query answered 

 In our Kennel column. 



C. S. S., Cincinnati, O.— We cannot express opinions regarding the 

 merits of different guns. 



T. M. <)., Woodstock, O.— The New STork Prtee Quwenl Is published 

 at t Cedar street, New York. 



E. J, li., Koine, Ga.— What do you understand by a blue belton set- 

 ter? Ana. One that is ticked with blue-black spots. 



B. F. L., Fairfield, 111.— From your description we cannot, but If you 

 send us a drawing of his head and tail we probably can. 



A. G., New York.— Ic is probable that your puppy has worms. Treat 

 him with areea nut aa recommended to another correspondent. 



MiNCtcs, Lafayette.— For the rearing and training of game fowls buy 

 the very excellent treatise of F. W. McDougal, ttt South Illinois street, 

 Indianapolis, Ind. 



H., Cin., O.— Will you please give me the address of principal agent 

 of "Edgar Barbless Book ?" Ana. Manufactured by B. w. Anl & Co., 

 Bloomberg, Pa. Western trade soppllecl by W. H. Bolablrd, Valpar- 

 aiso, Ind. 



W. A. B., Norfolk, Va.— Can you tell me anything about a gunmaker 

 named Chas. Bell ? whether he is reliable ? Ans. There is an English 

 gun dealer by the name of Bell, but we know nothing of the quality of 

 the guns stamped with his name. 



S. S. N. F., Yellow Bud, Q.— The little Instrument you mention Is 

 called a capper and Is very useful with a muzzle-loading gun. The 

 price is T6 oents for the German and $2,511 fur Dixon's. They can be 

 had of almost any gnndealer in this city. 



F. II. P., San Francisco.— Give your dog twice a week >joz. of sul- 

 phate of magneBia, with 10 grains nitre dissolved in sufficient water. If 

 the discharge should be in the sheath alone, wash with 10 grains sul- 

 phate zinc dissolved in 1 oz. rose water. 



Oneida.— Do you know of any place In the city where I can obtain a 

 collection of pictures of line horses, either photographs, lithographs, 

 or steel engravings ? If not who would be able to know ? Ans. Ad- 

 drees Spirit of the Times, 102 Chambers street, New York city, 



Oi,d Subscriber, Marysvllle, Cal.— Where can I obtain " The Kennel 

 Club Calendar ana Stnd Book," vols.l, 2, 3, i and 5? also, their probable 

 cost In this country ? Ana. Y cu wUl havo to send to the office of tbe 

 London Field for them, and they will cost you, laid down here, about 

 $20. 



C. V. B., Titusville, Pa.— On Saturday last I was challenged to shoot 

 for a silver cup at 3f.ii. I waa on the ground ready to snoot , the other 

 parties, six In number, did not come to time. I claim I won the cup the 

 Becond time. Am I right ? Ans. If you shot at the required number 

 of birds you still hold the cup. 



G. F., Glens Falls.— Will you please inform us what is the best pat- 

 tern made by a " cylinder-bore" at G, s and 10 rods respectively, with 1 

 oz. No. o Tatham shot, target so inches in diameter? Also, the best 

 made by a " full choke" for same distances respectively, same charge 

 and target ? Ans, We have no record of snch pertormauces and there- 

 tore no nieanB ol ascertaining. 



W. M. B., Newark.— A person belongs to a shooting club and Joins 

 another In the Bame county and State. There is a challenge passed be- 

 tween the two clubs and accepted to shoot a match. Does said person 

 shoot in either club, or iu both v or is he ruled out from one or both 

 clubs, and for whit reason ? Ans. We should say that he should elect 

 which club he is to shoot with, and shoot with that alone. 



SuiiscKiBER, New Vorfc.— My dog aei 

 petite variable and ofteu vomits, lie 

 hind legs, with lus Head on Che floor b 

 to be In pain. Ana. Il'iaposslb 



t his spirits ; ap- 

 f the time on hia 

 rs. He does not 

 [ dog has 



Give him a dose of areea nut, or a Naldire'a powder, winch latter can 

 be had at Caswell's. The powder should be followed by a dose of cas- 

 tor OIL 



iorea. From the treatment 

 er. "Stonehenge" I 

 uty of outdoor exercise and 

 Your bitch is liable 

 iould have to keep her very 

 very dangerous to have her 



J. H. B., Delphi, Ind.— 1. Your d 

 you have followed he will probst 

 mends a general tome treatment, 

 nitrate ol silver in doses of one-six 

 to come In heat now at any time, i 

 carefully housed until over it. It i 

 spayed now. 



T, E. K., Wheeling.— 1. What Is the proper charge of shot and pow- 

 der for my Wesley Richards' muzzle-loader, 12 gauge 32 inch barrels, 

 using Hazard's No. 3 or 4 powder ? 2. Is the ' Bixou" gun made now, 

 and where? Is the S4f. "Chas. Web;ey" ureech-loaaing gun a reliable 

 one? Ana. t. Without knowing the weight of the gun we should imagine 

 that 3J4 drs. powder and lJj,oz. shot v. : ■ . < ■." . r. . .. i* by 

 Dixon in England. *. We have no reason to think otherwise. 



Farmer, Londen, Tenn.— The experiments recently made at the 

 lowa Agricultural College show thai, the trunks of trees do not clou. 



gale. Tacks were driven Into the trunks of various trees and the disi- 

 tBtween them accurately measured. At the end of the season 

 I hey were found to have neither Increased nor decreased their distances. 

 In the experiment tree trunks were selected of all ages, from one year 

 up to five or six, and in no case was there auy change whatever notice- 

 able. 



L. F., New York.— l. What is mercurial ointment, aa I read In one 

 of your back numbers that it was a good rust preventer ? 2, What 

 wonld a good and complete buckskin suit, cost, and where can I procure 

 one In this city ? 3. Can the Winchester cartridge be loaded with an 

 Express bullet, ami at what coat ? Ans. 1, Go to the nearest drug store 

 and you will hud It. 2. See our advertisers. All dealers In sportsman's 

 goods keep them. 3. Yes, but the bullet cannot be used lathe ride. We 

 thluk the Winchesters do not use the powder. 



Constant Reader, St. Thomas, Ontario.— M Ib the holder of a club 

 medal and B challenges him to shoot according to the rules governing 

 the medal, ten birds each, 21 yards rise, 80 yards boundary. They kill 

 fi each, n did not have birds to shoot off the tieB. M told H where he 

 would get birds and that, he would wait until he came back. H said he 

 did not mind shooting off the ties, but in nine days he sends to M to 

 come and shoot. M said he would not shoot, until he hud read the rules. 

 After that he-apnotnted a day, but H did not appear. Who holds the 

 medal: IliepartieB challenging had to furnish all the birds? Ans. M 

 retains the medal. 



Liknvillk, Marietta, Pa.— My pointer bitch, between seven and eight 

 months old, has been unwell for three weeks past, She Is very thin ill 

 flesh, has a dry, hacking cough, also troubled with periodical spells of 

 sneezing, and froths at the mouth after coughing. Appetite not very 

 good, and Beeins to be languid and lazy. What is wrong with her and 

 what shall be done to cure her ? Ans. Unless there are other symp- 

 toms which would Indicate worms we should give her a tablespoonfu 

 of cod liver oil twice a day, together with a tonic composed of 2 grains 

 quinine, 2 grains ginger ami extract of genetlan enough to form a pill, 

 to be given twice a day. 



Biobfs, Boston.— Was it Dr. Stuckupwell (I believe that is his name 

 if it isn't it ought to be) who answered '• Biceps" In your last issue ? Of 

 course if it was he there is no use wasting time replying to him, other- 

 wise I will reply to that very clear and apt bit of information. Ans. If 

 our correspondent can do any better he is at liberty to try his hand and 

 " biceps", too. The person, whom we presume is referred to, long ago 

 severed Ids connection with the Forest and Stream. The one who did 

 write the answer has gone out as special correspondent to the Anglo- 

 Afghan war. He sailed on the Celtic last Saturday. Address care Ya- 

 koot Khan, via Jelalabad. Or, send to us and wo will forward via cable. 



F. R. G., Laeonia, N.H.— I. Does any maker of brass shells make them 

 as small as 20 gauge; if not, can I get paper ones that gauge ? 2. Regard- 

 ing the trout caught in Lake Wlnnlplsaukie, I have claimed that they 

 were the salmon trout, others that they were not; which was 

 right? a. Is a .us cal. rifle large enough for deer hrtnt lug? Ana. 1. 

 There are no shells of that size, either brass or paper, made In this 

 country, but you can get them from England. 2. The Wlnui- 

 plsaukle trout, known as Sabno summelrica,, Is not sufficiently 

 marked In its specific characteristics to indicate a distinct variety, 

 although some scientists have claimed that it is such. See Hallock'a 

 " Gazetteer," page 305. 3. Yes, but the heavier calibre ia better, 



NrHROD, Irvington, N. Y.— 1. I have a shepherd dog and would like 

 to know if he can be taught to retrieve, and the method of teaching him 

 2. Have also a number 12 breech-loader and should like to know the 

 proper load of powder and shot; also, whether the wad should be 

 pressed tightly on the shot, or loose, and which way makes it scatter? 

 Ans, 1. We cannot afford space to give directions as to how to make a 

 dog retrieve. You will And them in the back numbers of the paper, or 

 in Dinks, Maybew, or Hutchiuson. 2. Without knowing the weight of 

 your gun it is difficult to tell, but the ordinary charge for a 12 gauge 

 gun is 3V£ drs. powder and l>£ oz. 8hot. The wad on the shot should 

 be pressed lightly. To make your gun scatter use more powder or less 

 shot. 



K,, Virginia City, Montana.— I began working my setter pappy on 

 chickens when he was Ave months old. He behaved splendidly from the 

 start, as far as ranging, dropping to shot, stopping at the command "To 

 ho," etc., failing only in this, that he has never made a voluntary " set,' 

 or point on a bird. He Is now 1 o months old. Will he lake to voluntary 

 pointing his birds as he grows older ? He never fails to come to a 

 "stand" at the command and to hold it until he gets the word to "Go." 

 Do not young setters rely more upon the eye than the nose? Ans. li 

 your dog has never developed any powers of scent It is possible that It 

 may be deficient in this quality, but we should not despair for another 

 season. Young dogs will point at sight, but when taken on game they 

 should acknowledge the Boent. 



Boatman, E. M.— A smafl ice boat may be built aa follows : Take a 

 plank is feet long, « or 7 Inches deep and in thick. Set It on edge. 

 One-sixth from forward end run a plank across underneath at right 

 angles. The Jatrer may be Oxltfiu. and some 13 feet long. Bolt, to 

 centre piece, or keel. Run two planks, one on each side from this cross- 

 piece, or runner plank, to after end of keel, their forward end being 

 about one-thtrd the way out on each side of runner plank. Let them 

 be about sxl&'in. They will brace Ihe structure ami by laying jjln. alais, 

 or boards across the alter half will form the body, or cockpit of Ihe 

 boat. Around this work a rail of 3x?.; stuff. Over the keel, whero It 

 crosses the runner-plank, run a short piece of thick stuff and bolt down 

 through runner and side planks, putting a chock of hard wood in to till 

 up. Use s iln. bolts. On the centre spike a hardwood chock, slightly 

 cupped out to receive heel of mast. Bowsprit may be of stuff .txa'iin., 

 strapped, lashed, or bolted on top of forward end of keel. It may be 

 tapered at end. Place a runner or skate under each end of the runner, 

 plank, and one aft to act as a rudder. The forward two should be ol 

 oak, Sit. long, l»£in. thick ; the rudder 2ft. long. Round taeni up for- 

 ward, and shoe them with iron or siael, HI deep. Grind them to an 

 angle of 90 deg. on the bottom, so that they will ran on the edge. 

 Fasten with % bolts to the oak portion, and then bolt right up through 

 the ruuner plank, using large washers on top. The after shoe or Bkate 

 is clasped by the forked end of a stout iron rod, say Wn. diam., a bolt 

 being passed through the lugs of the fork, and a collar beiog forged ou 

 Hie rod, just under the keel. Around the vertical hole in the latter 

 put an Iron plate # in. thick, to take the chafe of the collar. Curve the 

 upper end of the rod, so as to serve as a tiller. Mast, 16ft. long, 

 diam., tapered at head ; bowsprit, loft, long; mainsail, loft, hoist, lssft. 

 foot and 1ft. head , iionm, 19ft. long, 3;4in. in centre, tapered at ends; 

 gaff, Sit. long, lJiln. diam ; Jib, Oft. lift. 6in. on luff. This wdl gl I e a 

 moderate rig. Bowsprit is staid with a wire bobstay and a shroud each 

 side of %in. wire. Mast steps In the enp, has two shrouds a side and a 

 headstay leading to bowsprit end. Single halliards and sheets for Jib 

 tnanilla. Double purchase for peak and throaty rove all in one, and 

 iheet of similar rope. Lush light stick to foot of jib, Or tills 

 plan may be simplified to suit. For a 16ft. boat use simply a lug sail, 

 carrying headalay down to forward end of keel, and do away with 

 bowsprit. In this cu.se a shorter boom should be used, ami a propor- 

 tionately louger yard on the heap, One-quarter of the sail should be 

 kept forward of the mast. For canvas use light duck. A line of reef 

 points may sometimes be useful. 



