FOREST AND STREAM 
23 
miles straightaway, The Professional Paces will be rowecl 
in heats of three miles, one and a half miles and return. 
Besides the above prizes the “Jury bn Rowing” of ihe 
United States Centennial Commission, who will have ar 
oversight of all the races, will award the Diploma auc 
Medal of the Commission to the victors. 
The National Amateur Rowing Association will hoi 
their annual regatta over the same course (the Nations 
either previous to or immediately after the above lnterr 
tional Races. 
The following deflnilion of an amateur oarsman,, w-h- 
the required pledge, will be strictly enforced for all enfoa 
in the amateur races:— 
The President or presidine nflioer and Secretary of each club fcjitf UK 
either of the amateur races of tile rejjutta controlled hy the HeUnhllV 
ISavy, will lio required to Certify on nouor, in writing, that each lie' ter 
of the crew entered is strictly an amateur, and is not paid, dirfeh or 
indirectly, for ins services, either by place, emolument, or cltieas a 
member, or by reason of liis being ametuber of the Club; that ne'illu B 
not enter in open cmnpetiiion for either a stake, public, or ad'fsieu 
money, or entrance fee, or compete with or auninst a rirofesmod for 
any prize, mid has never taught, pursued, or assisted in the bt!9W of 
atUlcllu exercises as a menus ot livelihood, or haa been omulor. in or 
about boats, or in manual labor on the water.” 
Entries should be addressed to Jonathan. Gir^ham, 
Secretary, P. O. box 2013, Philadelphia, Pa. ' c 
► - - -»•*- - 
THE ..PROFESSIONAL, AMATEf/RS. 
EniTott Fokest aed 
Buffalo, N. T , Fei^/’th, 1870. 
The amendment to the constitution of the. National R< ng Associa¬ 
tion, passed at tho recent meeting. Would seemingly atrf) at an evil 
greatly to be regretted. It has become apparent lo thipiinklng men 
of tho rowing fraternity that the course pursued by oii.^r more of the 
promiuent dubs in gobbling up all the best of the men v have become 
known to the country by their successes with the on' 0 * a bad look. 
It matters not whether those men are residents of th ° .unity of such 
clubs, and would naturally join them or not. No, W Arts picked out 
wherever they are found. For the members of at lire one club that I 
know of to stand boldly before the National Ronif/Association and 
claim that their crew is composed of amatenrs, is ei‘"y preposterous, 
'The members of this club (they all know who 1 meat < ill undoubtedly 
I hiek I am making an assertion that I can’t provetyicn I assert that 
l heir crew is composed of nothing but professionals-. would go before 
tile National Rowing Association and give cxpressio o my opinion and 
conviction in the matter, us 1 do in iliia letter. 
• The first circumstance 1 will mention is the fay if the erew of any 
club spending from two to three months exclnsif.y in praoticehnany 
miles from home, and is enough, in my mind, to hrid them as anything 
but strictly amateurs. If I were to move Into thinelghborhood of the 
club t mention, to-morrow, I couldn't join that clb. Why? First, be¬ 
cause 1 have'nt a sufficient income—I cocld'nt (ford to pay the dues 
andassessments. Secondly, I have never distigalshed myself at tho 
oar sufficiently to counteract my lack of inconj; still, I have as much 
money us oue who joined the club recently, and s now one of its crew. 
Had he applied to the club for admittance mergaa a member, without 
any record as an oarsman he would have becniack-ballod so high that 
he couldn't get back to consciousness in a rnohh—but he didn't apply 
to them, they applied to him, and I say that atyie llraa he joined (?) the 
club he ceased to be an amateur and became sjrofessionoi. The mem¬ 
bers will'probsbly cry out, “Wo pay him no jury." Weoll kuow that. 
Certainly yon don’t pay him, or any other mother of your crew a salary 
directly; bat how about paying them indirect! ? I don't believe a mem¬ 
ber of the club dare swear that noDe of the iew are not paid indirectly 
by taking care of them. I don’t wish to infr that only one club isen- 
gaged in thus dodging the spirit of the !aw ,by ostensibly abjuring tho 
spirit of it. There are others engaged in 'ltsangentlcmunly bnsiness, 
and I trn»r. the National Rowing Assoctatitg will try and intestigiitu this 
matter now that the amendment has made the definition a little more 
explicit. 
1 don’t mean to make any attack on lie one membBr I speak of. I 
Use his case to illustrate what haa convneed me that the club he has 
)omed(?) and others are not obeying the f. w. 
Oxrord and Cambridge don’t appear J be at all anxious to meet onr 
college hoys on American waters. ProbWy Ihcy remember the warring 
received by their best professors at tktrAinnUa of the Ward crew. They 
have always been perfectly willing tin, we should go over to litem and 
row them on tlieir own water, and uviRheir course, every inrh of which 
•they are acquainted with; but when ic-,orues to coining oyer here* that's 
another^ thing, “Why 1 blurst. my fc'yes, we might get beaten yon 
know." ___ EIagustolz. 
Taboggining in Canada.— it is a crisp January day in 
a beautiful but too little kuoVn city of Canada; the ther¬ 
mometer says ten below zerc; 1 lie snow is two feet deep 
and as dry as tinder; the seen; is the side of a lull, steeper 
than any sensible being on a ''Yankee” sled would dare to 
go down. On all pat-is of (be bill are scattered in little 
groups gentlemen and Jadits, boys and gitls—of all ages, 
from fifteen to thirty—malried and single, engaged, and 
still to have that pleasure. Instead of sleds they are drag* 
ging up the hill “taboggins,” which is the Indian sled, aud 
which finds a mate in the lark canoe. They are made of 
thin pieces of cedar wootj which have been pltined per 
fectly smooth; these pieces are bent up at the trout so as 
to form a sort of rtiuner, lilt the hoards themselves lie flat 
on tlie snow, being fastened together above, so that the 
bottom is smooth. They ire made of all sizes, averaging 
about live feet by two, anil can accommodate arty number 
of people. They are so thin and limber that they bend 
over any obstruction wgch maybe in the road, so that 
they are not stopped even by large jneces of ice. They 
may be used to go down the steepest hills, where no sled 
could stand the strain. And here {ill the fun comes in, 
since the danger is necessarily very great. Often a load 
will upset, and girls and boys will he flung together imo a 
huge drift; then of course the screaming and laughing is 
immense, except when one has a leg .or arm broken, and 
then the laugh is more likely to appear on the other side.— 
Harvard Crimson. 
Useful Recipes. —A new.compound for polishing and 
cleaning metals is composed of one ounce carbonate of am¬ 
monia disolved iri four ounces of water; with this is mixed 
sixteen ounces Paris while, A moistened sponge is dip¬ 
ped in the powder and rubbed lightly over the surface of 
the metal, after which the powder is dusted oil, leaving a 
fine brilliant lnster. 
Lemons can he preserved hv varnishing them with, a so¬ 
lution of shellac in alcohol The skiu of shellac formed is 
easily removed hy rubbing the fruit in. the hands. Varnish 
made with alcohol will get dull and spongy by the evapor¬ 
ation of the alcohol, which leaves water in the varnish, as 
all commercial alcohol contains water. Take thin ahoet 
gelatin,"cut it in strips, and put, it in the varnish; ltwiil ab¬ 
sorb most of the water, and the varnish can. be used clear 
and bright till the last drop. The gelatin will get quite 
soft; it can then he taken and dried, and used again. 
There is no si In pi or remedy for preventing cider growing 
soilf limn mailard seed. After the elder has fermented 
and reached the desired palatable condition,, put one pint 
mustard seed to a barrel of cider, and bung tight.— Scien- 
tljUi American. " 
t^nswers (^orrexyondentg. 
IVo Notice Taken of Anonymous Communication)!. 
C. S. R., Fulton, N. TPlease inform me if there Is any wnyof 
making a tent both waterproof and fire-proof/ Ans, See answer to 
W. A. L. 
W. .T K., Phmnixville, Penn.—Which has the greater attraction for a 
ball phot, over its surface, land or water? Ans. Tho attraction of grav¬ 
itation la the same in each case. 
Subbcribtcr, Webster.—I have a gun 21) inches long, but it shoots too 
close for brush hunting, and I think I shall have it cut off to 28 inches. 
Do you think It will make any difference la the penetration? Ans. No. 
Troy, N. Y.—Being anxious to purchase a bull terrier—dog preferred 
—I lake the liberty of asking you where ono could probably be procured ? 
Ann. Address Henry Gardiner, M D., No. 11 South Fifth avenue, N. Y. 
W. A. B., Montpelier, Vt.—Will you please inform me what is “GreeD- 
heftTt,” so popular in the manufacture of fishing rods, and from wherfc 
does it come? Ans. It is a wood imported to this country fromDem- 
erara, W. I. 
J. F. D., Greensburg, Pa.—Can you give me any information in regard 
to Wra. Webster, gunmaker, of Warwick street, London? Is, or were 
his guns considered first class? Ans. We cannot find his name in the 
list and know nothing of the guns. 
P. L., Philadelphia.—Can you tell me where the nearest trout streams 
to Philadelphia are located, and some good places for striped ba*s? A ns. 
No good trout fishing nearer than Lycoming county, and no large baas 
neater than the mouth of the Delaware. 
Parvus, Readington, N. J.—Please give me the address of Mr. Sal¬ 
ine, owner of the red Irish dog Dash, an engraving of whom* with his 
companion Bees, ornaments the title page to your issue of Feb. 3d, 1876. 
Ana. A letter addressed to Mr. Saline at this office will reach him* 
R. M., New York.— A dispute lias arisen concerning the origin and 
meimlng of the word “Banshee,” Can you give us any information in 
the matter? Ans. The Banshee is ihe familiar “spook” or spirit, sup* 
posed by Irish families to fure’el), by their wailing song, a death of some 
member. 
Bob, Brooklyn.—Will yon please inform me of the address or tho firm 
manufacturing Adlrond«ck Lnke boats? Ans. Newcomb, Esset Co., 
N. V., have the reputation of being tho builders of good Adirondack 
beats. W. E. Martin, E. Peck, G. Philboots, and othepj, of Saranac 
Lake, ore good makers. 
L. P., New York.—Onr English pointer bitch had some puppies last 
week, but eat them up, all at once. Does this happen vory often, and 
is there no remedy to prevent it? An*. We know that some bitches 
will cat their pups; the only way to prevent It is lo watch them closely, 
liis said If they are well supplied with water at the time they will not 
do it. 
N. E. 8., Urbana, Til.—'Please tell me how much and what kind of 
powder, and how much and what size shot for a No, 10, ten-pound Pur- 
ker gun. 1 want for duck shooting. Also your opinion of the No. 4 
Hazard powder, compared with OraDge or Curtiss & Harvey's. An*. 
1.5 drachms powder and 1* oz. No. 4 shot, 2. Equal Lo either of the 
others. 1 
C. W. S., Albany, N. Y.—1, I have Remington rifle, 30-inch .44 cali¬ 
bre, 77 grain charge, bow far w 01 jt shoot accurately? 2.* What is the length 
of the Greedmoor barrels, Remington and Sharps? 8. Who makes Ihe .22 
sub-calibre rifle barrel for Remington military rifles as described in “Win¬ 
gate’s Manual?” Ana. 1. One thousand trie hundred yards. 2. Thirty- 
four inches. 3. E Remington & Sons. 
«1. W.. Gloucester.—1. Where can I buy u good fox hound—one with 
keen nose, and that will stick to the track and uotglve up? 2. WeshouL 
the fox. Now hick is the best dog—one that runs fast or 6low? Also, 
which would be best-a foxhound, or fox terrier? Ans. Address Peter 
Knox, Newton, Sussex county, N. S. 2. It depends on the ground, 
but Mr. Knox will post you. 
i W. A. B, Montpelier, Vt.—1. Will you oiease inform raewhatBel- 
monty !c oil is and where It can be procured, as I see you recommend it 
for guu barrels? 8. Wuerecan l obtain catalogue of the Parker guns? 
Ans. 1. Belraontylve oil can bo procured from almost any guuRmith. 
Mr. H. C. Squires, No. 1 Connlandt street, this city, has it we know. 
2, Write to Messrs. Parker Bros., West Meriden, Conu. 
G. A. D., Chickopee, Mass.—1. What are tho indication* of good 
Jdood in. an Irish setter—in a pointer? 2. Is “Burges on the American 
Kennel" a standard authority? Ans. 1. Our space will not permit us 
to answer tbis qnestion. Read the back numbers of thi* paper, or con* 
suit Stonehenge, Diuka, and other authorities. 2. Mr. Burgos’ bookia 
not yet ont of press; it is therefore rather early to state whether it is 
“standard authority’ 1 or not. 
W. 0. S. & Sons, N. Y.—In what county of Pennsylvania or Virginia 
can two friends and myself camp out from about the 1st of .June until, 
the lBfc of November, and havo good fishing aud shooting (tho lat ter 
more particularly) Without any danger of being Interfered with? Ans. 
Pike, county, Pa. Talco Erie Railroad to Port Jervis; then stage. You 
will find plenty of good camping ground within ten to fifteen miles of 
Milford. No shooting until after July 4ih. 
O. .J. H. G., Manchester, Md,—Why does a gun shoot belter o,u some 
days than it does on other days? I use the same, powder, the same number 
of shot, and ihe gun is in the same clean condition. 1 go onl some days 
and.drop every bird; other dava 1 feather the birds and cannot get- them 
down. Ans- All guns vary in their shooting, more or less. Thu cause 
of your not being so successful In killing some days as well as oil other 
days arises, in all probability, from the want of proper aim. 
M. P. M., Franklin, N. Y.—1. Does the English hard shot do as good 
work in Ihe field as soft shot? 2. poes it not strata ihe barrels more, 
being hard? 3. How many pellets to the oz. of No. lia and 11s? Is it 
lighter, and If bo, how much? Ans. A series of experiments wts'ptib- 
lished last week would indicate that the hard shot gave better penetra¬ 
tion, but the soft Phot better pattern. 2, Yes. 3. Tatlium’s No. 10— 
828 pellets; No, 11» 1,348. The chilled shot, is much the lightest. 
Smkdlijy, Hamorton. Pa.—The barrel of my Winchester 1ms become 
leaded in recent use at target practice, a thing that never occuvrea be¬ 
fore. Was using some of the No. 4-4 cartridges, long. Have heretofore 
always used No. 44, short.. What is the cause, and wlmt the remedy? 
Ans. The cause is probably owing to the charge in cartridge; one fit s 
the gnn aud the other does not. The remedy will be iu using a little 
turpentine, or petroleum, or half-and-half of benzine and fine luru oil 
before the leading becomes too hard. 
F. H. R., Warren, Pu,—I have a W. W, Greener phi-fire, No. 12 shot 
gun. It has a set of the finest locks I ever saw on a gun. Gnn the gun 
be converted into a central discharge without changing the locks, or in 
any way injuring them? Who would be a responsible party to change 
the gnn? About what would oe mo cost of changing the gun in the best 
way? Ana. By sending your gun to us wo can have it altered to n cemrul- 
lire m a workmanlike manner, without changing the locks, except In tho 
formation of the hammers. The charge will be $35. 
W. T. R., New York.—1. What is your opinion of the Miller Roeoil 
Check, recently patented for attachment to the stocks of guns. Would 
you recommend owners of fine guns, desiring to shoot heavy charges, to 
adopt it? 2. How many pellets to the ounce of English No. 6 shot? 3. 
Do you. consider castor oil superior to tallow ! for rendering hunting 
boots or shoes impervious to wider? Ans. t. Wcare not yet prepared 
to give-an opinion as to the utility ot ihe patent recoil check. 2. 270 
pelletB to 1 oz. of English shot. 3. We consider caster oil decidedly 
the best. 
R, H. D., Canandaigua, N. Y.—I have been told the present system of 
artificial Impregnation, of eges, os practiced by our commlaiiionera 
at the State Hatching House, is wrong, and has been given up by some 
of oar old fish cuHofists, they having decided to let the epawners deposit 
thdr eggs in their own way on gravel beds. Is this a fact? Do you 
know of any lake that has been well and successfully stocked with fry 
grown from artificial impregnation? Ana. Your information is all 
wrong. Artificial impregnation is [he means used by all Fish Commis¬ 
sioners. Cayuga Lake,’in. this Slate, may be mentioned as acaacin 
AQUADixE, Wen on all, N. J.—I have prepared a pond containing 
about 3,000 cubic feet of water, for the purpose of breeding goldfish, 
and desire to know the best place to procure pure stock, 1 find that the 
Philadelphia dealers obtain their stock from Long Island, and I presume 
yon know who breeders are In that region, for they probably have head¬ 
quarters in yonr city, Ans. T. B. Fergnson, Fish Commissioner of 
Maryland, residence 102 North Charles street, Baltimore, pays speoiat 
a Mention to breeding of goldfish. The Long Island breeder# ure un¬ 
known to us, bnt Messrs. Greenwood & Seymour, No. 15 College Place, 
this city, can furnish you with Long Island fish. 
Setter, Philadelphia.—I hove a Bismarck pup seven months old. I 
am afraid be is troubled wnh worms. 1 guvo him one of your areca 
powders; It gave him one small passage and made him vomit a greenish 
substance. He has no appetite and 1 b very spare of flesh, yet large 
boned, 20 iuches high; head, inches long; weight, 4Q pounds; yotis 
very thin; lively, bnt nose dry. What would you advise to do for him* 
as I should like to get him in good trim for snipe? Ans. If yon had 
followed our directions in giving the remedy, a enre would have bBen, in 
all probability, effected. Wo wonld advise you to try the areca.not 
again, as it almost invariably cures when properly given. 
\V. II. S., Philadelphia.—Is there any rifle club in Philadelphia; If 
so, who is the president, where la tbeir range, will they receive any 
m^rc members, and what is ihe cost to belong? 3. Would a Wesson 
rifle, 44-100 calibre, 28-inch barrel, do for Iongraugo shooting, 3, What 
is the price of Smilli & Wesson’s new breuch-Joudmg navy revolvers? 
Ans. 1. The Philadelphia Rifle Glnb, (J. Miller, President; initiation 
fee, $12; annual dues, £6, Each member is required to miTchase one 
share of stock, coating $25, and which bears six per cent, interest. For 
further particulars inquire at 534 aud 536 N. Third street, Philadelphia. 
2. No; U by long range you mean over 500 yards. 3. $20. 
E. V. B., Elyala, Ohio.—Three parties are shoo ting a match (‘pigeon#). 
1. B r is called to the score, when be gives the word pull. The bird 
files aoout four yards from the trap and lights on the ground, from w here it 
again rises. B. abools and kills the bird. Is it right l.o score the bird? 2. 
C. Is called to score, shoots and killed his bird, which falls on the line 
of bonnds k (fci0 yards), one-half the body inside, and one-half ont&ide. 
How should ihe bird be scored? Ans. 1 . B. is entitled to his bird. 2. 
We can find no rule among the club rules for pigeon shooting applying 
to sueh a case as yon state, but we vyould give the shooter tUe benefit of 
the doubt. In rifle shooting a ball striking ihe onter edge of a ring 
counts Tor the value of the circle inside the ring. 
R. L. W. asks receipt for making prepared mocking-bird food and reli¬ 
able aquarian cement. Ans. 1. Mix two parte each of corn meal, poa 
meal, and one part*of moss meal; rnix In a little lard* not enough to 
make greasy; sweeten with molasses, and then fry for half an hour* 
stirring constantly to aa not 10 burn. Pul. in covered jar. Moss meal is 
made by drying and grinding German raosa seed. 2. A good aquarium 
cement, suitable for salt or fresh water, is made by taking ten parts hy 
measure of litharge, the same of plaster of Paris, a like quantity of 
white sand, and one part of finely powdered resin. Mix, when wanted 
for use, with boiled oil sufficient to make it ol the contistcncy of still 
putty. It is better to allow it to staud three days before using. 
P. M. A. y Chester, Pn.—What is the beat authority or book of instruc¬ 
tion on tty fishing? I have heard “Frank Forester’s*’well spoken of 
but have never seen it.. Aus. No book of instruction on fly fishing baa 
ever been published.In this country. The art caunot be taught. What, 
is the bem book of instruction on billiards? Ans. The illustrated hand¬ 
book of billiards by Phelan. Published by Dick & Fitzgerald, No. 18 
Ann Htreet. What is the best authority and book of Instruction on bor 
fng; also, a good book On athletic or physical exercise? What is tho 
difference beiwecm boxing and spurring? Ans. Price’s “Science of 
Self Defense;’* to be had of same publishers. No difference between 
sparring and boxing. Is there any way of getting Ihe pike, perch, cat¬ 
fish, etc., out of a hike and substituting trout in their stead? Ans. The 
only sure way Is to draw off the water. You might put in black bnsfti 
W. A. L„ Yarmouth, N, S.—1. Where can I get a good pattern for a 
tent to hold two or three persons, aud to ne as portable an possible? 2. 
Do yan know of any preparation for making a canvas tent water and 
fireproof? 3. Arc the barrels of a double gun usually made to shoot a 
liltle in, or towards each’ other; Bumstead says they are, Bogardus saya 
they are not? 4. What is best for a ooating, ana what for stopping a leak 
In a canvas covered wooden canoe? 6. Will shot or round bull fired 
perpendicularly into tlie air strike the ground in thoir descant with tho 
same Torce (.hut they have on leaving the gnu? Ans. 1. Of Eaton <te 
Co., No. 17 Ann street, ?: Immerse in soluble glass distilled with boil¬ 
ing water to 25° Baumc, Before quite done immerse in a solution of 
snlphale of ulnmnia un'i sulphate or copper, oue part of each to ten 
pails of water; then dry I'ltwly ni the air T 3. Yes, they are. 4, Putty, 
if in the wood, and patch, if in the canvas. 4. No. 
W. G. R., Greenhurgh, N. Y.—1. Would you recommend me to have 
a lhuzzle-louding gun that scattered too much, ie'bored. Would it injure 
the barrels, or is there any oilier nay to prevent scattering? Where shall 
I have It. done, and the cost? 2 . Do you recommend Hazard’s FFFG. 
powder for ordinary shooting? 3. Whttt i$ the proper charge of powder 
aud shot for my 12-bore gnu? Do you tntak a pattern of 160 or 180 ac 
411 yards a good target? Ans. You c'MU have your gun re-bored without; 
injuring the ’barrels at an expense of $3.50 to $5; or you can make ft 
shoot closer by using concent rid ore. Send It to this office and we will 
have iL done for you. 2. No. not for shot gun purposes; bnt we do most 
heartily recommend l.lunr No- 4 duck, anil l,ne FG. for rifles. 3. Proba¬ 
bly 31 drachma of powder aud t£ oz. shot; hut wa do not know Ihe 
weight of yonr gun. This is one of l.lie thing* a man must And out for 
himself by experimenting. 3. Yes, remarkably good. 
Toxall, Boonton, N. J .—Would you call the gtm described by “Pa¬ 
cific” in your paper of Jan 20th, page 378, last clause of his article, right 
barrel, 180, left, 220 pellets, a choke-bore, or a modified choke? 2. Is 
there such a thing on record as shooting No- 8 shot (soft) through a 
Curtis & Harvey can at 30 yards, with 12 gauge gun, or hTthuf. a fair teat 
fora gun? I have no trouble in getting through one side and denting 
second side, bnt there does not seem to be solid sQbslAnco enough left 
in tho shot to pierce tho second side. Is iL the fault of the gun, or la 
this not a fair test Tor penotrailon? What wonld be better? 3. What 
grade and size of oriental gunpowder should be used in place of C & 
H. No. 6 diamond grain, and v\ help can T get it in New York? Ana. 1. 
A choke-bore. 2. No record or the kind; yonr gnu wonld probably do 
It, if yon used chilled shot. 3. Andress the Oriental Powder Co. at No. 
13 Broad street, Bostirn. They have no advertised ageut m this city. 
To Cook Mushrooms. —Feel both tops and stems, put 
in a stew-pan, with au. ounce of buttoc and a pinch or two 
of salt to each pound, and serve up hot. Tbis will answer 
fco cat with fish, flesh, and fowl. To fry iJiem— peel, dip in. 
egg;, and roll in cracker dust, season, and fry*ns with 
oysters. 
Thompson & Sdn, 338 Broadway, uae no sugar of lead in waterproof¬ 
ing thoir suiw. bugar of lead will not stand washing, and among-t old 
sportsmen is considered detrimental to health, making lhem Ind ia to 
rheumatic atiacka. Thompson's suits are guurantceo lo be thoroughly 
waterproof, even alter being washed, and are as good and cheat tr l -han 
any other anita iu the market.— A dwtUfl/Wtit 
