230 



FOREST AND STREAM 



THE COCOANUT TREE ONCE MORE. 



ir Answers t« 

 ic- ascription 



,ul. at least uf 

 anoh in shape 

 .t hnndsomel; 



Philadelphia, November 12th, ISM. 

 Enrron Jtjbebt iso Stf.emi:— 



Tho tnisinkc regarding the cocoannt tree, mat 

 Correspondents, is easily explained us an overs 

 given answers perfectly. If not to the nature of i! 

 the cocoa Iree. The latter reseiubli ^ ,, , i , 

 and foliuce: its blossom of a dingy, light yellow co 



101 trflgrant, bnt appears at almost *Uy season ol the year, and 

 i a strange, sometimes breaks through the bark of the Irnnk a 

 short distance from the ground. The fruit which yields ns the luxury of 

 chocolate for our breakfast table, resembles in shape, size and color, our 

 nmsk melon; the beans of which the chocolate is made lay imbedded ill a 

 white, oily palp, resembling fresh bird, arranged around a central Siring 

 . ii- of the melon. The beans are freed of the pulp by Washing 

 in water, and dried in the sun, when they are ready for the market. The 

 shell of the cocoa bean makes, in the shape of cocoa tea, a very whole- 

 some morning drink for persons of feeble digestion. Another i in-) >a ra- 

 tion of the fruit of this tree is cocoa butter, a well known remedy for 



sore eyes, as well ti - Useasea of the skin. The wood of lice cocoa 



tree, altbongh very hard , is not used for other purposes than fuel. 



The cocoa palm, or cocoannt tree, is correctly described by "B. W. 

 TJ.," but I disagree with this correspondent when he calls the nee "any- 

 thing but handsome," although c/c rjustUiim, you know. The tall, slen- 

 der shall, with its crown of some tin or twelve feet; long, feathery leaves 

 of brilliant green, is cetlaiuly a pleasant sight to the travel. If in the 

 an antique temple, with lofty, 

 inderer the promise of a cool 

 while the constant motion of 

 res tho sensation of a soft liree/.e, anil 



.ensor the tropic and semi-tropic /ones. 

 found wherever the Spaniard* have got 

 land. 1 have- no doubt, therefore, that 

 i the world to inform himself, by A trip 

 ire and usefulness of both tho palm 

 of the most nutritious 

 A. v. L. 



.ippca 



, refresh 



tropics: a group of lie 

 graceful columns, and 

 resting-place and deli 



the arched, pie liks I -. 



their lev - ;, - 

 well as the cocoa palm— are 

 and the former especially in 

 temporary hold or 

 "T. T. G." has the best chance in the wor 

 to Lower California, of the nature and 

 yielding the cocoannt, and tho tree furuisl 

 articles of the breakf ai 



Vhc Mmnel. 



DOG BREAKING.— No. 5. 



WHEN we have perfectly broken out setter or pointer 

 to the charge toy verbal command, raising of the 

 hand, and to dropping to shot, -which we advise by all 

 means if the trainer has the lime and patience to teach, 

 and the dog is obedient to the order, "toho," we desire 

 for the first day or two when be is taken into tho field on 

 game, to have the companionship of a fellow sportsman 

 willi a thoroughly broken and experienced setter or pointer. 

 Attach a long cord to the collar of your beginner, say 

 fifteen yards in length, and allow it to trail after him. He 

 ■will naturally watch the movements of the old dog, and 

 when game is scented will be eager and perhaps headstrong. 

 "Wheu the old dog draws on the birds and points, the 

 youngster may of his own accord back -at once; if he does 

 hoi, endeavor to toe near enough to have command of him 

 toy the cord and check him with a sharp jerk saying, "toho," 

 holding him fiinily. Have your companion flush the bird, 

 (we advise that the quail should be the first bird upon which 

 he is hunted), and as they rise, and at the report of the gun 

 jerk the cord again smartly, saying, charge, and make him 

 drop. If a bird has been killed and you have taught re- 

 trieving indoors, command him to fetch, after insisting upon 

 his keeping the down charge for a minute or so. He may not 

 be successful in finding it for a time, if so, assist him in 

 searching for it, saying continually, fetch. If you discover 

 the bird before he does, call him to you and have him lift 

 it from the ground, and after you take it from him reward 

 him by notice and caress. By this plan, repeated for several 

 times, you gradually impress on your dog the utility of lliat 

 which has been insisted of him before taking hiin into the 

 field. 



During the day you will no doubt have many oppor- 

 tunities of confirming in the puppy the backing of another 

 dog, using "toho" always as the command to stop, punish- 

 ing with the cord for disobedience and non-observance of 

 the order. A puppy that has the example set him in 

 Tanging toy a quick dog is wonderfully improved in speed 

 always, tout we are opposed to a continued companionship 

 of the young and old dog, for fear the beginner will be satis- 

 fied with only backing, and finally grow into a lack of in- 

 dependence when used in the field with other dogs. There- 

 fore after you have succeeded in merging the lessons taught 

 at home into actual obedience and utility on game, hunt 

 him the balance of the first season alone. 



At different limes while he is ranging in the field, move 

 in the direction you wish him to take, waving your hand 

 towards it also,then suddenly take an opposite course, waving 

 that way also. In this manner you can soon teach him 

 that he tnusl go to whichever portion of the field you desire, 

 toy motion of your hand. 



You cannot toe too particular in the first season on game 

 in insisting upon absolute obedience. Give your dog an 

 inch and he will take advantage of a mile, and be always 

 looking for an opportunity to have his own way. Never 

 allow him to flush for you; it will grow upon him and 

 when he has a chance will do it while out of your sight. 



We recommended in a former paper the taking of your dog 

 to a pigeon match in order to perfect him in retri eving. This 

 we have done with advantage, but unless great care is 

 observed it will do more harm than good, and it must by 

 no means be repealed, nor should it be attempted unless 

 he has been worked on game. 



— A. hound belonging to one Scudder ('fast name!) was 

 timJ to the end of a rear car on a Canada Southern train 

 during the slop at Wyandotte, tlis owner bet that the 

 dog would keep up with the train and come inlo Detroit 

 all right; and he did, not being pulled a foot of the way. 



Was it a slow train or a fast dog* 



Sorb Eyes in Dog-s.— After hunting setters and pointers 

 in countries which abound in Indian grass, their eyes toe- 

 come affected and inflamed on account of the small par- 

 ticles of fuzz and seed which drop from the tops and fall 

 into them, causing an irritation which if not attended to 

 is often very difficult to allay. 



On returning from a day's hunt in such localities it is 

 well to wash the eyes of your dog with luke warm water 

 andcsstile soap. This little attention may save you an 

 immense amount of trouble. 



We know of a setter whose eyes from litis neglect aTe 

 suffering from such an inflammation that lias now grown 

 to bo chronic. An application of a weak solution of nitrate 

 of silver, or acetate of load morning and evening will 

 remedy, when the eyes arc greatly affected. 



English Greyhocnds in America. — Our readers may 

 not toe aware that tho coursing of the Western hare, or 

 what is called the jackass rabbit, by greyhounds, is fast be- 

 coming a favorite amusement with our army officers lo- 

 cated at frontier posts, especially in Texas, where ground 

 well itdapted to the sport is convenient. 



We leam that shortly after the civil war a patty of English 

 sportsmen visited Texas with a retinue of servants in 

 charge of a number of setters, pointers, retrievers aud grey- 

 hounds, and during their stay in the country ware hospi- 

 tably entertained by some oF our army officers at one of the 

 forts, who before the departure of the sportsmen home- 

 ward were presented with the greyhounds they had brought 

 with them. The breed lias been carefully kept up, and 

 many courses are now run in proper season, giving enter- 

 tainment to the officers while not engaged in tho more ex- 

 citing and dangerous sport of Indian hutrting. 



We doubt not that the Seotish stag hound might also 

 give great sport in running down and bringing to bay the 

 larger game of the West, and furnish additional amuse- 

 ment to our representatives of the army while in their bor- 

 der homes. 



TALLY-HO ! 



[From Our Own Correspondent], 



MEMrnrs, Tenn., November 14, 187-1. 



SPOJrTSM EN are just now reaping rich harvests wilh 

 the dog and gun, as well as the rod, both in this 

 State and in Arkansas, where the prairies abound with 

 game, such as chickens and quail, and plenty of deer can 

 be found in the cane, while the lakes abound with game 

 fish, and the bayous and river bottom afford ample 

 amusement for those who are fond of burning powder be- 

 hind huge flocks of ducks, mallards, teal, and almost every 

 other known species, as well as wild geese, which have 

 just begun their Southern flight, But for the warm 

 weather that has prevailed for the past week, the shores of 

 the Mississippi would have been literally " lined" with the 

 "honkers. Another sport enjoyed here by a few is fox 

 chasing, and hardly a week passes but that a chase is got- 

 ten up and participated in by about a dozen worthies, who 

 when Ihey cannot get a trail to slart on in the country, 

 "import" their stock from the middle portion of the State 

 or from Mississippi, and after being turned loose, generally 

 enjoy a chase of from three to seven hours, always return- 

 ing with their game, although wearied by the labor. In 

 Ibis connection, I might state lliat in the way of fox 

 hounds, there are half a dozen packs owned here in 1he 

 city, one pack of which, owned by Mr. J. W. Alley, are 

 said to be the finest and keenest in the State; as an illus- 

 tration of which fact I need only state that on a recent 

 chase one or two of them took a trail known to be eighteen 

 hour's old, and followed it, making a day of splendid sport 

 for their followers. Generally, however, as I mentioned 

 before, the "birds" are imported from the country districts, 

 where they are trapped at the den; and cost laid down here 

 about five dollars each, and at that rate one man living at 

 Centreville, Hickman county, proposes to supply the hun- 

 ters with all they desire to chase, and in his letter guaran- 

 tees each and all to be sound and lively. As yet the 

 chases have not resulted in any broken limbs or heads to 

 the hunters, from the fact that fences are not over live 

 or six rails high, and ditches not over four feet wide, and 

 in nearly all cases there is a convenient gate or pair of 

 bars by the former, and a neat little bridge to the latter, 

 and i hen you know the horses are not yet in this section 

 educated to jumping; but in due course of time the ama- 

 teur chasers will have an idea of the beauty of a ten foot 

 ditch or an eight rail fence, and likely will then appreciate 

 a first-class chase more fully perhaps than did the guest of 

 Davy Crockett, when the latter individual bad his abode in 

 Middle Tennessee. Years ago, as the story goes, he invited 

 an eastern gentleman to visit him, and upo.. his arrival 

 could think of no better method of entertainment than to 

 give him a fox chase; which he did, his pack soon starting 

 a lively red animal some distance from the hunters, who 

 took their stand upon a hill and waited, the dogs in the 

 meantime coming nearer aiul nearer until their loud bay- 

 ing could be plainly heard, when old Davy, almost wild 

 with excitement, asked his guest if that wasn't splendid 

 music— meaning the baying of the hounds— and getting no 

 reply, repealed the question, when his guest placed his 

 hand to the back of his ear, and listening attentively a mo- 

 ment, declared :hat he couldn't hear any music for the 

 noise the dogs made! Davy was satisfied— and so will our 

 hunters be. * 



|/W gun and §iffe. 



GAME IN SEASON FOR NOVEMBER. 



In Articulo Mortis. — We regret to loarn from a cor- 

 respondent of the following afflictive dispensation:— 



New Youk, Nov. 13, 1874. 

 Editor Fowistt and STnciW.— 



Mr. Rntit, the owner of the Jhiechhund, which look the prize tit the 

 Mineolu Bench Show, bus hud the misfortune to lose liiin. After killing 

 eleven rabbits vvith him on the Uth instant, in Morris County, N, J., he 

 placed him in the freight room at tho depot for sure keeping, where he 

 accidentally found some rat poison, from the effects of which lie died on 

 Thursday the 13tii. • A. J. H. 



nfooee, Ateea Molehis. Snipe and Bay ltinls. Willets. 



Elk or Wapiti, Germs Canadensis. I'urilion. Taiandits Itaiigi/e.r. 



Hares, brown mid gray. Red Peer, Garie.ee i'lrt/iniaiius. 



•\\ .1 Tinkej \EJea.grt» valtapavo Bqnirrels, red Mack and grey . 



Woodcock, .scolopaee rvstieoln. Quail, Orl-ir. Virginia it 'is. 



Hulled Urouse, TtJ iv.a iiitiUMns. Pinnated Grouse. TshraO Dujndo. 



'■'.:■■ i ■i_--.-Lj.n-i. Wild Duck, Geees, Brant, &c. 

 Plover. 



[Uiiderlhe head of "Game, ana. f'u-e in. Heo.'n" n;- ,-an only specify in 

 general term* the se.etra! i arie'ies. because Ike laws of state* car:/ so much 

 that were, we to attempt to iiartiealaim a; eonftdono less than, publish 

 those entire sections lhatetlol, to the. Muds of twin* in gtiestion. This 



guided by the lane of nnlnrc. tipttn. irhiet; ad ,'. .?; -. .-.■';,.,- :■ founded, and 

 our readers would OoweUlo vrovide Uteimekiiswiih Hie lam of their re- 



sj.eetice. \t ; a,_... fee, ,-,-,,.;.,<,,,,/ irf,.renei. G! la. r '.else, our ataniiKS to asms tie a, 

 wilt only create confusion.'] 



Game in Mare..— The game market is fairly stocked 



at present, and some species of game are, as a consequence, 

 cheaper than they were a week or two ago. The first 

 wild turkeys of the season have come from Illinois, but 

 they arc not yet abundant enough to make them fit for the 

 tables of any but those who have the means to pay for such 

 bonnes bovclies. Huffed grouse is one of the most common 

 birds on the table, and that retails at $1 25 per brace. All 

 received are in good condition. It hails principally from 

 Connecticut, Ncw r York, and Illinois. Prairie chickens 

 arc rather scarce, but all received are in primu condition, 

 fat and succulent. They retail at $1 50 per brace. Quails are 

 becoming more numerous, and as a sequence have descended 

 from $4 50 to $3 75 per dozen. TheWest is the largest shipper. 

 Ducks are quite abundant aud hail from nearly all por- 

 tions of the country, but the best arc those found along the 

 Chesapeake Bay and Ihe waters in its vicinity, and they 

 bring a higher price than those from any other section. 

 Canvas backs retail at $2 50 per brace, red heads at $1 50, 

 black heads at $1 and butter balls at seventy-five cents. 

 Venison is scarce yet, so brings twenty-five cents per 

 pound. Minnesota is the largest shipper. Canadian 

 hens which are very abundant, bring %\ per brace, and 

 Connecticut rabbits fifty cents. Wild pigeons stall fed 

 are worth $3 per dozen, while flight pigeons bring only 

 $2 25, but this difference is more than compensated for by 

 the excellent condition of the former. Grey squirrels are 

 so cheap that they can be purchased for five cents each, 

 and robins bring only $1 per dozen. The latter are used 

 principally by invalids, aud occasionally they decorate a 

 hotel table. 



Long Island.— The following information respecting 

 one of the best duck-shooting regions on Long Island will 

 be valued by our readers. We have more than once 

 called attention to this locality: 



Good Oround. Nov. 18th.— On account of the very w.arm 

 weather during October and part of November, Hie . ducks 

 have not been killed in the same abundance as heretofore 

 during that time of the year, but now the cool weather has 

 set in, and the duck shooting is good. Wo claim to have 

 the best duck and goose shooting at this place of any on 

 the Island, and we have every reason for the belief that 

 Shinn ctock Bay is the first shooting ground for birds after 

 they leave their breeding place. The geese have made 

 their appearance, and gentlemen can get geese or dinks at 

 this place any day when the weather is favorable for shoot- 

 ing. We have gentlemen from all parts of the country. 

 We have had numbers from Boston that come here to get 

 gatrie birds, such as hroadbills, redheads, &c. Our shoot- 

 ing will be during the cool weather, mostly from points and 

 shore. The cooler the weather the more the birds come in 

 under the land for a lee. I presume wc have as good out- 

 fits for the accommodation of gentlemen as can be found 

 at any shooting place. When we go for geese we use live 

 stools invariably, as dead stools are of not much account at 

 the present time. We have about Iwo hundred live geese 

 thai we use as decoys. Our guides are experienced men, 

 and will make even-thing pleasant for gentlemen visiting 

 the place. We have had numbers of gentlemen from i'ew 

 York and Brooklyn, and not one of them has left tbis place 

 without a big bag of birds, and many times more than 

 they wish to take away wilh them. If you wish a list of 

 the number of birds killed at this place, I can forward it to 

 you at any time. Gentlemen visiting the Bay View House 

 will be sure and buy tickets for Good Ground station, 

 where they will find stage for the House. Tho hotel affords 

 good accommodation. Address M. V. B. Squires, Good 

 Ground P- O. 



Maine.— Calais, Nov. Qth.— You ask your correspondents 

 about woodcock; I would say, they have been very scarce. 

 I commenced to shoot some last of July, and when 1 had 

 shot forty-six, I had only found three birds of this season. 

 After the wing quills got hard, I could not tell, certainly, 

 the young from the old; am sure very few young were 

 raised about here this season. Snipe and ruffed grouse 

 breed later and have been abundant. G. A. B. 



— Late letters from Moosehead Lake, Me., state that 

 partridges are as thick now as black flies in August. 



Massachusetts. — Salem, Nov. 14. — Cover shooting this 

 season has been rather poor. Woodcock are novelties; 

 snipe ditto; partridges are found scatlemigly; rail have 

 been quite plenty, and held on late. Quail shooting is now 

 about all that is left, and is very good, though the dry 

 \i eather makes it bad forthe dogs. It. L. _J. 



RHODE Island.— Canvas-back ducks are getting more 

 abundant, so they sell now for $3 per brace. 



Wild geese are passing over the Stale on their way to 

 their Southern home, so sportsmen are leaping a harvest. 

 Thirteen covies rewarded one man in Fayette county for 

 one night's labor last week. The animals must be very 

 abundant. 



"> Pennsylvania.— According to a Pittsburgh newspaper, 

 the grey squirrels in the Alleghany Valley are engaged in a 

 general migration. They draw their recruits from all 

 points, and may be seen daily swimming the river in large 

 numbers and pursuing an easterly course. Old farmers 



