134 
FOREST AND STREAM 
tier, who brought, twenty-four of the ft eh in ft cask from Sohroon lake, 
and hut Ihem into Lake Haudford, where they iucreascd to a wonderful 
exteut, until the breaking away of the dam at the lower works some 
yearn afterwards, when they were carried down the river to Lake Harris, 
and from there ail the way to Glen'S Pulls, for aught 1 know. It 
wns from these waters that Ihe fish got into Long Lake and the Ka- 
quettc Rivnr. They were taken front Hick Lake (not Bice), or some of 
the small ponds adjacent, by Home Long Lake guides, who pnt them into 
a small stream running into Long Lake, from whence they have gone all 
through the waters of that, regiou. Lake Sandford still contains pickerel 
or large size. A few years ago a party of five, of which I was a member, 
Went to Lake Sandford, Intending to enjoy a week of camp life; but 
having taken seventy pounds of pickerel ou the day of our arrival, and 
killed a buck the neat morning, we were obliged to return home in the 
afternoon of our second day (it was the first week in September) in order 
to save onr fish and venison. Among the fish was one that turned the 
scale at eighteen pounds. If any of your renders contemplate a visit to 
the Upper Works ibis summer, f would advise them to take the strong¬ 
est laud of spoon victuals they Can find, for I am sure there STe fish 
in that lake that will weigh twenty-five pounds Tauawus. 
rings; A. Ermisch, 194 rings; G. Baier, 168 rings; G.A. 
Kundahl, 161 rings; Ivato, 145 rings. 
The above organization held ft special meeting yesterday, 
tor lhe purjpose of selecting a team to compete at the Cen¬ 
tennial match, at Philadelphia, July 6th, 1876. 
The following shooting festival will be held the next few 
weeks, to which all riflemen are cordially invited. 
Opening festival of Schuetzen Park, at Bergen Avenue, 
Jersey City (Greenville,) the 8th of May. 
Opening festival of Schuetzen Park, at Union Hill, N- 
J., the 39th, 30th and Slat of May. The first 3 days 
shooting for all comers; the last day, distribution of prizes 
and learn shooting. 
On the 5th, 6th and 7th of June, grand shooting festival 
of the Jersey City Schuetzen Corps, at the Schuetzen Park, 
at Bergen Avenue, Jersey City (Greenville.) 
The programmes of all the above shootings will be pub¬ 
lished in a few days. 
-- 
THE USE OF THE STRAP OR SLING. 
§he gift*. 
THE INTERNATIONAL MATCH. 
T HE latest advices from the other side indicate that 
there is now no hope of tho Uuitcd Kingdom being 
represented by a team of riflemen at Crcedmoor this year, 
with. Sir Henry Halford at its head. A correspondence 
has been passing between that gentlemen and the Scottish 
and Irish clubs, aud the latter appear to have been willing 
to forego their separate representation providing the Scotch 
would do the same. But this they have declined to do k 
and from a dispatch at hand on Thursday last, we learn, 
that “at a meeting of the Irish Rifle Team Association, 
held on the 29th ulto., rules were adopted regulating the 
preliminary contests for the selection of a team to go to 
Philadelphia. A letter from Sir Henry Haliord was read, 
urging that an united team he sent to America, but this 
proposal was rejected, as the Irish riflemen have already 
forwarded their acceptance of lire American challenge.” 
There cau bo no doubt that when this question was dis¬ 
cussed at Wimbledon last summer, it was understood that 
a team representing the United Kingdom, was to come 
over. Since then, a feeling of jealousy appears to have 
arisen on Ihe pari of Ihe other clubs towards the National 
Rifle Association, or perhaps a fear on thuir rail, that in 
the preliminary matches for places in the team, they would 
not be treated wilh fairness. With the merits of lids 
difficulty or misunderstanding we have nothing to do ; hilt 
if such existed, the invitations sent from here afforded a 
Capital pretext for the organization of separate teams. Put¬ 
ting aside the question of the pleasure it will afford Us to 
receive the Irish, Scotch and Englishman, and “the move 
-the merrier," it can hot he doubted that the interest in the 
match would be greatly enhanced, were the contest to he 
between teams representing the United Kingdom and the 
United States. If three teams come out and one of them 
wins, the other two will be virtually beaten teams. We 
think that in the following letter addressed by Sir Henry 
Halford to onr contemporary, the VoMfiteer Service Gasetle, 
he has staled the case very plainly;— 
Sm—Colonel McDonald is mistaken in thinking that the match, J'or 
Which a challenge was smithy telegraph through Colonel Gildei'slocve 
at Wimbledon lasf year to the National Kiflo Association, for a British 
team to shoot to the United States tkia year, la any other than that for 
the championship of the world, which is now in question. The chal¬ 
lenge was talked over at. Wimbledon among the best shots of England, 
Scotland, and lieland; a strong opinion expressed that it should be ac¬ 
cepted by a united team from Great Britain and Ireland, anti Colonel 
Budereleeve was told at the time that- the challenge would be accepted 
by an muled team from Great Britain and Ireland. 
In talking the match over with me, he said that he hoped that ranges 
would lie available at Philadelphia for the match, which proves that tho 
challenge was not. one which referred only to a match, with the New 
York (Sub; and in a letter to me received lately, expresses bis very 
great, regret that the separate challenges, which were sent as a matter of 
courtesy to Scotland and Ireland, suonld have been taken up by the 
Boot tioti National Club, for that he never expected that more than one 
When Colonel McDonald finds fault with the National Rifle Associa¬ 
tion for uor consulting Scotland and Ireland, surely he forgets that the 
National Ritte Association is composed of English, Scotch, and Irish; 
that it numbers among its members all the beBt shots of the United 
Kingdom; and that It has a strong Scotch element on its Couucil. How 
cau the Scottish National Club claim to represent Scotland, when it can¬ 
not find among its members a mau of sufficient position to act os captain 
of its team? Have auy of its iutluentlal men refused to act in that ca¬ 
pacity? . 
So farfrom discounting a victory, rt is lire opinion of men more con¬ 
versant uitli the highest class of mhtch shooting than Colonel McDon¬ 
ald that, it will require all the energies ot the best riflemen that Great 
Britain mid Ireland combined can produce to hold their own against our 
American cousins, w ho have already twice wrested a victory from the 
picked shots of Ireland. 
I am, yours faithfully, 11. St. J. Haleord. 
miltHi, March if/t, ibffi. 
Since the above was written, a dispatch from London 
•under date of April 1st. announces, that Major Drake, of 
the National Rifle Association, informs the London agent 
of the New York Associated Press, that in consequence of 
the separate action of the Scotch and Irish associations, 
the organization of a British leant, to participate in the 
Centennial matches, has finally been abandoned. 
—Ckeedmoor Jr.—A match wa3 shot at this gallery on 
Saturday last, between the team made up of employees of 
the Citizens’ Insurance Company, and another, comprising 
clerks o£ Messrs. Howard, Sanger & Co. The Insurance 
team won by the following score :— 
CITIZENS’ INSURANCE 
Name. 
F. M. Parker... 
J. W. Edwards.. 
C. W. donee. 
jC. F. Grim. 
It. Chapman.... 
, _WARD, SANGER, A CO. 
Total.| Naina. Total. 
. tS|E. M. Jiatuea. 
.4o S. While... 
_. Sit l£d. Lyucs. 
.at .V. C\ Huward.. 35 
. 3T.W. li. Clapp.29 
Total... 
Total.. 
181 
—The Columbia Rifle Association of New York held 
their semi-ntotuhiy practice shooting last week, at (bein' 
grounds, Steinbreanei’s Park, Gulteuberg, N. J. Distance, 
500 yards, offhand, auy rifle, at the ring target, which is 
divided in 25 rings of -J inch diameter each, Tim follow¬ 
ing gentlemen made the best scores:—Jac. Hcinlz, 191 
Hamilton, Canada, March 97th, 1871). 
Editor Forest and Stream : — 
I see by your last Issue that the National Rifle Association or New 
York, have amended their rules in prohibitlngt.be use of LLo sling on 
the long range rifle. This wilt he very apt to disappoint several of the 
members of the teams coming over fromBritain to the Centennial matches, 
who may have practised with the sling, as it is distinctly allowed by the 
National Rifle Association of England. As 1 liad sdme doubt of it be¬ 
ing allowed at Wimbledon, I wrote Capt. Mildmay, Secretary, and his 
answer is as follows! “I have submitted your letter to the Council and 
am uowjn a position to answer your questions. The Council desire me 
to state that no objection is made at Wimbledon to the use of a sling, 
provided it be attached in the usual way, tr so attached you may nse it 
as shown in tho photograph. (The photograph is similar to the one I 
sent you some time ago). ” I think the council or the National Rifle As¬ 
sociation of New York, have instituted a very bad precedent, which may 
tell against themselves at some future time. For instance, if other asso¬ 
ciations were to amend their rules In regard to any position, and construe 
it to mean any position In which the barrel of the rifle does not rest be¬ 
yond where held by the left hand, or in other words, prohibit testing it 
on the leg. which I firmly believe was t he real definition of any position 
when first instituted. Now such, an amendment as this would be more 
reasonable and fair than prohibiting a sling, and wonld tell more against 
the majority of United States marksmen. So all associaUons should he 
-cal-erul in not instituting rules which may conflict with foreign associa¬ 
tions with whom they inay meet in friendly competition. I also see by 
the Forest and Stream that the Dominion of Canada have accepted an 
invitation to soud a team to compete at tho Centennial matches. I think 
there must be Some mistake about thfs, tvs the-only gentleman anthur- 
i/.etl U> accept a cUalleuq^Yor (he Dominion, is Lieut Col. Gzowski, 
President of tho Dnmliiionntfle Association, aud I understand that an 
Invitation has not been sent to him. Shootist. 
HOW TO AIM THE COMMON HUNTING 
RIFLE. 
March 8th, 1STH. 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
la a very interesting article which appeared in your generous coin cons 
of November 4th, 1875, under the heading, “How to ChoosB a Rifle," I 
find many poiuts presented, in which I most heartily concur, whilst in 
others I do not. I will notice one of these now, iu reference to sighting 
tho rifle, and leave others to be noticed,, perhaps hereafter. Tn so doing, 
my object is much less to criticise, than to attract the attention ot rifle 
shooters, especially beginners, to those many little mysteries In 
the art of practice, which must he known and regarded before 
the best results cun be reached with the rifle. For ritte shoot¬ 
ing Is a science which (cannot bo fully comptehended, without consid¬ 
erable study, thought, and reflection. In this light, and with these ends 
in view, I present the following to your host of readers, and hope it may 
prove useful, if not Interesting, to many. In order that ihe reader may 
get the drift of the article referred to, as well as the views of the writer, 
I will quote largely. 
He says: “The next requisite is, that the trajectory of the Itull 
should be so fiat within the above ranges, or, in other words, Its velocity 
so great that the rifleman should not be obliged to depend on an eleva¬ 
ting back sight, raised to distances before ascertained, ” (or sot off) "but 
should be able by merely drawing a coarser bead the farther oil he is to 
hit the mark. There is no military or long range rifle that will do this. 
The best example of a weapon that could do this was tho old muzzle- 
loading long barreled Kentucky rifle, &c.” 
* * * v “Wilh a short Tange rifle (not over 900 yards) propor¬ 
tioned as we have described, the drop of tho hallowing to its great velo 
city, is so little, there is absolutely no judging of the distance required. 
Whether you are at 25, 50, 75; or :00 yards, HU you have to do is to draw 
a little coarser head the farther off your game Is. Practice will soon show 
you how much. Your ball shoold not deviate more than a couple of 
inches above or below, and this does not exceed the limit of accurracy 
heretofore laid down.” 
Remarks.— 1 substantially concur with the writer iu what he pats 
forth Iu paragraph 9 and 8, except as to his instruction or mode of 
sighting the rifle. On this point, and a very material one too, to suc¬ 
cess in shooting, we widely differ. It will be particularly noticed that 
the rule laid down by tho writer for sighting the rifle is, to begin With a 
flue sight on objects near the piece, and to use coarser aud coarser sights 
continuously as the object isfarther and farther off; and this up to 100, 
150, or 900 yards, the liiuitB of his ritte in range. I assume this rifle to be 
like others, that is, to have a point-blank range, aud that a fine sight is 
ihe standard sight of the range, whatever it may be, thns 100 yards pdiut- 
plank, fine sight, Aud eo for any other range use a line sight on the 
target to get the best shooting. 
I. My proposition is: that the writer’s rule or aiming docs not hold 
good within the limits of auy established point-blank range, to give the 
best shooting, aDd lienee should not be adopted. 
U. But that beyond the point-blank range, or Tor objects without Its 
limits, his rule will hold good and may be safely followed. 
To illttattate this rather perplexing snbject clearly, let us take three 
shots with onr “burning rifle,” and partially point out the course pursued 
by the bull, and the standing errors of tile rille, and incidents to gravity. 
I, 101) yards. Let the point blank range be 100 yards. Let the rifle 
ho aimed with a One sight, assumed aB tho proper one, at the centre of a 
"4-inch bulls eye” and fired, and the centre struck. In this shot Piths 
flue sight, the exact conditions of the best sighted rifle, the best aimed, 
ami the best shooting, are attained. I presume the writer will coucur in 
this. But observe, a fine sight is bereused, and not a ooarse or “coarser" 
one, ns the writer's would necessarily he, Torhe would use a finer sight at 
20, 95, 30, &c., yards than he would at 100 Yards. He would ncce.-sunly 
shoot over. Why? because he uses a courser sight at 10b yards than lie 
would at 20, 25, 30, &c,, yards. Whereas ho should use the same sight 
at 100 yards as at SO yards; both are ussumed point-blank distances iu 
- this range of ouv rifle, and both alike demand the exact same sight m 
order to centre at these two distances. Hence his rule fails here. 
II. 20 yards. Again, let the target he removed to about 90 yards from 
the stand, and its centre fired at with the same flue sight, (standard) sup¬ 
posed possible, as at 100 yards. The ball will centre at this distance, the 
same as (it ltd yards? Why? because here, (or near here) is to he found 
the nearest point-blank in tin's range, and where this exist, ns it Always 
must In long ranges, the riflii must centre. Why? because at 20 aud 100 
yards, the ball ill Us flight, cat:', Hie lino of sight, and this is Urn general 
definition for point-blank, nv centre shots, atlhese two points. 
It will be seen that these facts, if facls they are, must he known and 
regarded, if we wish to attain correct shooting. They give rise to the ■ 
following fundamental rnlos:— 
First. That the rifle which makes a centre shot (or “holds up”) at the 
cud of the range, will also make another centre shot (or “hold up”) near 
the piece. 
Second. That the same uniform sight, whether it be flue or otherwise, 
must be used at both distances. 
Hence la reply, the same sight should (be taken with our rifle on ob¬ 
jects at 10Q yards as at 20 yards, or nearby. And in general, the same 
sight is always required at the two point-blank distances. This results 
from the problem. 
III. How should the sighting be from the muzzle of the piece np lo I 
the 20 yard point, or in general, up to the near point-blank? Let us see. 
If a like Bhot, with the same fine aim, as hitherto (supposed) used, be 
made at the centre of the bulls-cye, placed, say one yard from the piece, 
the ball will Btrike about I of a>f inch too low. In other words, the rifle » 
shoots under at this distance. Hence. 
Third. A very coarse sight, and not a fine one, is required on objects 
very near the piece, to give the best shooting. This reverses the rule of 
the writer. This coarse sight requires to become less so, till finally at 
90 yards with our rifle It pusses off into flue, or the standard sight, of the 
range. The reason for the rifle shooting too low, very near the piece, is 
plain. The ball starts on its course from below the line of sight, which 
is always the line of centre-shooting under the definition of point-blank, 
and does not get up to it, till it reaches the near poiut-hlank, and in this 
Instance, at 20 yards. Hereil makes Its first centre in passing above the 
lines of sight, and the next centre it will muke will bo at 100 yards, 
where the ball in its falling course will pass below the line of sight. 
Where tUe boll is below the line of sight, the rifle shoots too low, as we 
have jnst seen, and where tt Is above the hue of sight it shoots too high. 
We will next examine how the sighting must be when the ball is above 
the line of sight. It is always above, when it is between the two point- 
blanks. 
III. 68 yards. Again let the target be removed to about 66 yards from 
the stand. This distance is selected because at about two-thirds of the 
range generally, the greatest error, and incident to the curve of the tra¬ 
jectory is to he found. Let the rifle be fired at the centre as before, aud 
with the same umfoimfine sight (supposed possible) as at 160,26, and 1 
yards. The ball Will strike about "two inches" above tbe centre and 
miS8the target. This is a standing error in the rifle at this point. To 
correct this error of too high, it is obvious that a filler sight “ttotlld here 
be taken, than at 20, 25, &c., yards according to the rule or the writer- 
It is also obvious that this mode of sighting would add error to standing 
error, and lieuce should be rigidly avoided. This greatest deviation of 
the rifle exists at the highest point, of Ibccurve, and gradually diminisltes 
each way, as the curve becomes lower, until it finally disappears at tho 
two point-blanks, here represented by 20 and 100 yards. This most.be • 
just so. It wc admit 100 yardB to be point blank sbooliug, then, under 
the rule or dcliultiou governing us iu the promises, wu are slopped from 
saying it is not so. But the rules to note well hero are: - 
First.—T hat to avoid shooting Over, a finer sight is always required at 
and about, two-thirds of the range, than at any other point of the rauge. 
(say within 50 to 80 yards). 
Second. That tbe same uniform sight throughout the whole range ■ 
Will give no greater error than t lie greatest standing error of the rifle. 
Third. Hence knowing this, the same uniform sight throughout may 
always be used, unless one requires a different sight in order to accom¬ 
plish his pnrpose. 
Foubtu . In hunting, use the Bame flno or standard sight, within about 
the first 60 and the last 25 yards of this range. And why? because the * 
stanuing error or tho rifle is so small within these limits, thatltmaybe 
disregarded entirely. At the greatest, It is only about one ipcli, and 
from I,lienee to nothing at the two poiut-blanks. So much for sighting 
within the range. 
Firth. But, for different distances beyond tho range, as 195,160, Jte., 
yards, use a sight “coarser” and coarser, "the further oil your game is.” 
It will here be seen (rale 5th,) that the writer’s tuIb of sighting, holds 
good, that is, beyond the range. The reason for this is plain: licy end 
the range the rifle shoots too low, continuously *o, aud heuce a con¬ 
stantly coarser sight is required to bring the ball np to the ceuirc of the 
object . And for a liko reason it won Id bold good, (except near the 
piece) if the rifle byjconsttuelion ofitssights liaduo longer military point- 
blank range, but this kind of rifle is not In use—it shoots too low, and 
has no certain standard sight. Hence I drop it. 
Having now gone over the whole range, and beyond it, and endeavored 
to explain everything as I passed along, I will now- collect tny points, ill 
order to show at a single glance, how the sighting should be ill ordor to 
attain the very best resalts. The sighting seems to stand thus:— 
Coarse very near tbe piece, with a loss conrso to 0 ue at 20 yatds, (ceu- I 
Ire, p. b.,) thence finer to extra tine at 66 yards, (thereabouts and 
greatest error), thence less fine to fine at 100 yards (centre p. b). 
thence coarser and coarser, (beyond the range). From which _ 
we see that tho writer’s mode of sighting with a constantly coarser sight 
docs not hold good within the limits of the range, but. does beyond it. I 
Of course different rifles, and (lie same rifle with different charges, .So., • 
produce different curves, or errors. Hence in general, learn well by 
practice and slndy the deviations of your rifle along the whole distance, I 
and then (for close shooting) seek to so aim, as to correct them. 
I hope 1 have not mistaken the meaning of the writer. 1 think Ue J 
will agree that my points have been made good. Should I have misin¬ 
terpreted, there is no harm done; the. text has been equally good. Tt i 
has served to draw ont this, written mainly in behalf of young sports- ■ 
men with the rifle. I hope it may be acceptable, and prove useful in 1 
many respects. I submit it ns sound on point-blank shooting, aud up- I 
plrcable id its principles to all ranges. Old Scolt . I 
The American, naturalist. The number for April has the 
usual varied table of contents, opening -with an excellently illustrated 
article by .1. D. Caton upon "The American Antelope, or Prong Bntk." 
The growth and characteristics of its horns ate largely dwelt upon. Mr. 
J. A. Allen describes "The Tittle Missouri Bad Lands. "Tbe Flora 
of Guadeloupe Island,'’ an article by Soreno Watson, indicates Ihe char¬ 
acter of the plant life of that island, w bich lies off the coast of Lower 
California. This island has 81 species out of 131 recorded which are 
pecnliar ID Itself; the remaining flora being Californian in tie character, 
and distinct from that of Mexico. This is also true or Its fauna. Be¬ 
sides these, there are several minor articles, the usual interesting para¬ 
graphs in rite departments (the gist of tile zoological portion of which 
we give in another column), and a sketch of the Arrtoan Explorations of 
Lieut. Cameron. 
Wo have received from Kirburn Bros., of Littleton, N. H., 
acatnlogue of their stereoscopic views of American and foreign scenery, to¬ 
gether with some specimen cards or a most interesting character, which 
include views of the City of Mexico and Mouut Washington in winter. 
A more comprehensive illustration of "plctnresq-e America" we have 
never seen thud their repertoire contains. Only the most interesting fea- 
tnres and attractive places are shown, out these already cumber several 
thousands. In no way can the sportsman and tourist obtain «o accnrata 
an idea or any given locality as by examining these copies or narnro, 
and we can conceive that it must bo to the advantage of any one to pur¬ 
chase what views he can or any given locality that he intends to visit. 
Among the rest ate seventy vlows of Bermuda, iwo hundred of Mexico, 
fifty o? California, fifty of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, several 
hundred of the White Monuttiins, a great many of tho Old World, They 
are sold at S'-’ per dozen. 
—A Nevada sheop man who bad Died and succeeded with 
slteep, stild-. “Sheep arc better than a government bond; 
you eitti leaf rill' a coupon every six mouths half as big as 
I the bond, and the bond iu loft as big as it was.’ 
