FOREST AND STREAM. 



135 



UNACCO UNTAB L BS. 



IitKutuaaS, Ox., March 26, 1877. 



Editor Forest anii Stream, 



Iu your issue of March 14th is an article on unaccount- 

 able misses from "Oniclto." He seems to think the trouble 

 is not in the gun, bat in the ammunition used. I quite agree 

 with him. I have used a breech-loading rifle tor a number of 

 years, and it is the bust gun I ever handled ; but 1 find, no 

 matter how perfect the gun may be, I cannot do good shooting 

 without the ammunition is perfect. My method of loading 

 cartridges is to fill the shell, leaving only space enough to put 

 ill ii thin out wad of pasteboard, and not oyer one-eighth of an 

 inch in which to seat the bullet ; that leaves nearly the whole 

 length of the bullet in the rifling of the barrel when the cart- 

 ridge is in the chamber ; and if the bullet is the right size and 

 properly patdi&i, the patch will not be torn in putting ihe 

 cartridge into the chamber (or in the passage of the bullet 

 from the shell mto the barrel when fired), ii the gun is prop- 

 erly made and clam, and it will also straighten the bullet in 

 the shell if it is a little loose, owing to the short distance it 

 goes into the shell. 



The pasteboard u ad over the powder has its advantages and 

 its disadvantages. If the bullets fit the shells loosely, it pre- 

 vents the powder spilling out in carrying, if the bullet comes 

 out, aud it also serves in a measure as a gas check and pre- 

 vents in a measure fire cut. But if the bullet is concaved much 

 in the base, the wad is liable to be forced into the hollow base 

 of the bullet and go with it. I have found the pasteboard 

 wad, lubricator, and part of the patch at eight hundred yards 

 from the firing place, lying beside or sticking to the bullet, 

 and in one instance, part of a dry pasteboard wad, when no 

 lubricator was used, was found sticking to the bullet; the 

 bullet was shot into the snow at five hundred yards. I never 

 use lubricator of any kind when I want to do fine shooting, 

 but use a dry paper patch and wipe the gun clean and dry 

 alter every shot. 



Another very important item is the composition of the bul- 

 let, which must be of a hardness in proportion to the amount. 

 and strength of the powder used. A bullet that would be 

 hard enough to use with seventy grains of powder and shoot 

 well, would be good for nothing to use with a charge of one 

 hundred or one hundred aud ten grains. It would be up-set 

 bo it would take, the rifling beyond the patch, unless the bul- 

 let was patched the whole length. Pis upon some particular 

 brand of powder that you can always get, and the quantity to 

 be used for your charge, then make some bullets, weighing 

 the lead and tin (if tin is used to harden), making a note of 

 the proportions; load some shells with your standard charge 

 of powder ; patch the bullets carefully, wetting the patch quite 

 wet in the mouth, uud draw it on as tight as you can without 

 tearing, and stick the edge down with mucilage, using as little 

 gum as possible. Do not attempt to seat the bullets until they 

 are perfectly dry, then shoot thetrt into a snoic bant ; they 

 will penetrate it Horn three to six feet, according to its density, 

 when they can be readily dug out, and if they do not hit any- 

 thing harder than snow, they will be found as perfect as when 

 they left the gun. If they are upset so as to show the groove 

 one-half or rive-eighths of an inch they are about the right 

 temper; but if they are upset more they are too soft, and if 

 not as much they are too hard, and more or less tin should be 

 used ; when casting bullets stir the metal often. 



Then the size of the bullet is another point to be attended 

 to. If it is too large it is apt to bind in the grooves of the gun 

 in inserting the cartridge, and tear the patch ; and if too 

 small and is loose in the shell, it is liable to slide a little to- 

 ward the muzzle it the, gun is held muzzle downward, and 

 also to be driven forward a little by ihebfow of the firing-boll upon 

 the cap !„ j,„ ■•■ \lifi (kfrge is ignited. All these little things make 

 a difference in the shooting and help to produce uuaeeoun- 

 table misses. The- same care and nicety should be observed 

 in loading each and every cartridge as would be required in 

 loading the most elaborate muzzle loader. Begging your 

 pardon for occupying your time and space, aud hoping that 

 the above hints may be of use to some /rifleman, 

 I remain yours truly, 



E. A. Paamee. 

 >»•♦■ 



JUDGING DISTANCES. 



Putnam, Conn., March 26, 1877. 

 Editor Pobbbt and Stbeam. 



I haveejot a notion in my head {atran^e, don't It?), and you know an 

 oceau mnst hav« its own away, and though it has its tides, yet it will not 

 be lied, and woehetide the man who tries it; vide King Canute. 



My notion is this: that it would be or no little practical benefit to 

 riflemen if each club should adopt a plan for practice something like 

 this: The captain to select a flrini; point at some unknown (for certain) 

 distance from the target, from which point each man to Are, say Ave 

 shots, no ;man to have the benefit of another's experience; then the 

 captain to select another point, aud so on, at as many different distances 

 as tbey may care to try; the idea being to form an approximately accur- 

 ate judgment of distance, as hardly any game will stand still and let yon 

 measure up to it, and if It will, why, you don't need any gun, but simply 

 some salt to pat on its tall, which kind of salt yon will not And in mine 



1 am not a rilleman or lirtv years' atanding, in fact, 1 object, on princi- 

 ple, to standing as many minutes when I can get a good seat, but I give 

 the above for what it is worth, simply suggesting mat the details may 

 be varied to salt each club, the main thing being to learn the rliloinar, 

 to judge of distance. Youra truly, 



O'Ybriodb. 



[We have always contended that the practice of judging 

 distances should be exercised more by riflemen. — Ed.] 



SUB-CALIBRE KlFLES AGAIN. 



N. S., March 28, 1877. 



EOtTOU FolIEST AND STBEAM. 



Sm: While conceding the mechanical practicability of the sub-calibre 

 rifle band, you say that a gun to which one was fitted would be a non- 

 descript piece of little value. To that view permit me to express, under 

 correction, my decided dissent. To your question, as to where 'he rifle 

 barrel Ehould be carried when on a long trip aud for mixed shooting, let 

 me answer by asking, '-what better gan could yon have for mixed 

 shooting, than a rifle and shot-gun combined?" My idea was to have 

 snly ono rifle barrel, though, of eourse, two could be used, bat would 

 tasks rather too ueavy a gun to carry around all day. When only small 

 game was expected, as is generally the case in the Mividle uud Kastern 

 States, die rille should be left at home. I regard "Wacautah'a" experi 

 ence as decidedly favoring my views, while that of 'Toront ,'s" proves 

 nothing against them, as the barrels he had may not have fitted ac- 

 curately and snugly, an indispensable pre-renaisite to good snooting, 

 And which can be best done by a large manufacturer, who has the ne- 

 cessary facilities in the way of machinery, etc. In this connection let 

 me quote from the < . , & Lofflvor for 1S77, which was 



alluded to as making the barrels, but. charging too much 

 for I hem. It says, "We insert e rille barrel into our br.sech-loadiue shot 

 gnus when desired. This barrel is so constructed that it can be ad- 



justed In a minute, with nearly the same oaso as to iusert and withdraw 

 the shell. The weight is from 11 to Si pound*. It takes the same shell 

 that we nee in onr single and donble rifles. Them Inserted barrels shout 

 neartt/ as acouratdy at any other rille, etc." 



The Baker gun is doubtless very convenient, but we can't all buy these 

 guns in addition to the one we already possess, while, for a small addi- 

 tional outlay, every owner of »B. L. shot-gun may have a good sporting 

 rifle in the most, compact shape. 1 would like to know the ideas of 

 a practical manufacturer on tno subject, and hope eoms of them may be 

 Induced to give them. B. L. 



Editor Fokkst ano Streak. 



I notice in your remarks, prefacing niy article on sub-calibre rifles, 

 that yon ask, "Why not have it a permanent fixture, like the Baker 

 gun!" In reply I will say, that sncha gun would be too heavy n« a utiot- 

 gun. Ton ask, also, "Where would ihe rifle barrel be carried!" I 

 answer, in a sheath, and slung like an army cirbine. You will uoticc 

 that I recommend two rifle barrela of different calibre (or bore, not box), 

 ae your compositor made It in two places), and these barrels conld be 

 readily carried in a double sheath or scabbard, and slung as stated. In 

 addition to the nsaal shot-gnn signt, each shot barrel should be mounted 

 with a set of rifle sights, aud the difficulty complained of by Toronto 

 would be ooviated. For firteon or twenty years past I have argued, 

 that the first company that fitted up for the manufacture of snch a com- 

 bined gun as I describe would get plenty of orders, and I sec no reason 

 to change my opinion, providing good work is turned out. 



Wacautah (not Macantah). 



he Mtnntl. 



THE NEW YORK BENCH SHOW. 



The arrangements for this event are progressing satisfac- 

 torily, and the interest in it daily increases . Not the least 

 notable fact is that many p. rsons who on ordinary occasions 

 would not be known as exhibitors are coming to the front. 

 On Friday last an old gentleman, eighty-two years of age, Mr.- 

 H. 0. Durell, applied for entry blanks, and will show the set- 

 ters over which he still shoots with unabated vigor. This is 

 but one Instance of many which willjgive special interest to 

 this show. 



New Yoke, April 2, 1877. 

 Editoe Forest and Stbeam. 



Sir— The progress of this show is going on very satis- 

 factorily ; the interest mauifested by all parties is greatly on 

 the increase, as the applications and entries abundantly tes- 

 tify. Many of those have been received from parties who have 

 never before exhibited at any bench show. The non-sporting 

 classes promises to be quite a feature of the show, as many 

 ladies in New York and adjoining cities will show their pet 

 dogs. 



Several additional special prizes, have been sent in, whioh 

 will be classified by the Committeejat their next meeting, and 

 at once put iu the printer's hands, so as to be ready for circu- 

 lation the last of this week. Mr. John Davidson, of Monroe, 

 has accepted to act as one of the judges, and probably wi II be 

 assigned to the classes for English setters. Capt. .1. M. Tay- 

 lor has also accepted. The names of the other jndges have 

 not yet been decided on, as the Committee are taking time to 

 secure the most competent men and to divide them into the 

 ehisses they are most adapted for. Application has been niado 

 to the various railroad companies for the free transportation 

 of dogs, the result of which will be announced. 



Yours, truly, Ohas. Lincoln, Supt. 



Since the above was written a letter has been received 

 from the Rev. J. Cumming Macdona, accepting the invitation 

 of the Westminster Kennel Club to visit this country "and act 

 as judge. He will bring a large party with him. Letters 

 have also been received from many prominent English 

 breeders and exhibitors. 



A Good Idea. — The Westminster Kennel Club have made 

 arrangements with the North British and Mercantile In- 

 surance Co., by which any owner, for a trifling sum, may have 

 his dog insured against death by fire or any cause connected 

 therewith. The cost of insuranao will be but 25 cents for fifty 

 dollars, or 50 cents for each one. hundred dollars. The Com- 

 pany will have a olerk at the Garden on Monday and Tuesday 

 of the show-week to issue certificates, or insurance can be ef- 

 fected through Mr. Lincoln, or by addressing Philip Latour- 

 ette, Esq., N. B. M. Ins. Co., No. 6-1 William St, 



Rook. — The St. Louis Kennel Club have sold their re- 

 nowned setter Rock, to Messrs. J. & B. M. Nesbitt, of Cam- 

 bridge, Mass. Regarding the purchase, one of our Boston 

 correspondents writes as follows : 



"All lovers of the setter will welcome this grand dog East 

 again. The remarkable beauty, fine size, and excellent field 

 qualities now exhibited by several of his earlier whelps, 

 owned in the neighborhood of Boston, seem to indieato that 

 he is just the dog to cross on our natives, and his undoubted 

 success in this line has induced Messrs. John and Robert M. 

 Nesbitt, of Cambridge, Mass., to purchase him from the St. 

 Louis Kennel Club. Many of your readers will recollect the 

 beautiful puppies exhibited at the last Springfield Bench 

 Show by Mr. John Nesbitt, from the bitches "Maud" and 

 "Belle."* Both of these litters were by "Rock." Though we 

 understand the Messrs. Nesbitt have bought him for private 

 use in their own breeding kennel, we hope he will not be 

 altogether withdrawn from the public stud. Under Gun?. 



Union Gluts — Boston. — The gentleman writing from this 

 Club for information regarding entering a valuable setter 

 bitch in the Kennel Register, will have to write his name 

 more distinctly to enable us to comply with his request. 



— Mr: L. H. Smith, of Strathroy, Ontario, writes us that 

 his Field Trial setter bitch Bart, whelped twelve puppies to 

 Leicester, on the 23d of March. 



— Mi'. Avery W. Gore, of Boston, claims Ihe name of 

 Mollie 2d for a white black and tan puppy by Kink out 

 of Mollie, she by St. Kildare, whelped DeoeHfbgr 8th, 1876, 

 and bred by Isaac Flake, of Worcester, Mass. 



— Capt. Foster's "Kirby" whelped at Leesburg, Va., last 

 week, seven puppies by "Champion Rock." 



Btjttno Dogs. — We are in receipt of a large number of 

 letters from pereonB who are desirous of purchasing dogs, 

 To all such, and we would ask of them to accept this as a re- 

 ply to their letters, we would say that during the coming 

 Bench Show to be held in this city they will find opportuni- 

 ties to suit themselves such as rarely occur. Not only will 

 prices be affixed in the catalogue to all dogs, but on the last 

 day of the show there will be an auction sale, for which a 

 number have already baen registered. We shall be happy to 

 execute commissions for anv of our corespondents and 

 readers who may be unable to attend in person, particularly 

 fur those wanting puppies, as there will be a large number 

 of litters of every breed and strain from which to choose. 



— Mr. 0. W. Dormer, of Brooklyn, claims the name of 

 Grouse and Lassie for a brace of English setters, black and 

 white, with slight tan markings, imported by him. 



SETTERS- ENGLISH, SCOTCH, AND 

 IRISH. 



BY "6T0K BHB NGB 



WE continue in this issue the republication of Mr. 

 Walsh's paper on Setters, from the London Field : 

 The Black-tan Settee (sometimes called Gordon). 



The black-tan setter, until the institution of shows, was 

 commonly called " Gordon," from the fact that the Dukes of 

 Gordon had long possessed a strain of setters of that color, 

 which had obtained a high reputation. At the first dog show 

 held at Newcastle, in June, 1859, Mr. Jobling's (of Morpeth) 

 black and tan Dandy was shown with success in an open 

 class; and in November of the same year Mr. Burdett's 

 Brougham followed suit at Birmingham. In 1861 Mr. Bur- 

 dett's Ned (son of Brougham) won the first prize in an open 

 class at Birmingham, after which a special claps was mtide for 

 dogs of that color at Birruinghain, London, and other largo 

 shows, the breeders of English dogs fancying that the beau- 

 tiful color of the "Gordon" was too much in their favor. 

 Up to the above-mentioned period the black-tan setter had 

 not been generally introduced into the midland and south- 

 ern counties of England — Mr. Brown, of Molton Mowbray; 

 Mr. Burdett, of Birmingham: the Rev. T. Pearee, of Morden; 

 and Mr. Calver, of East Harling, Norfolk, having been the 

 chief breeders in those districts. Mr. Burdett's Ned was a 

 very handsome, useful-looking dog, and was sold at a good 

 price, together with his brother, Rock, to Sir J. Rivett Car- 

 nac, of Warborne, Hampshire, by whom they were shot over 

 for two or three seasons. Mr. Pearee won several prizes with 

 Argyll II., Regent, and Ruby at the early shows, but it was 

 not till the appearance of Kent, shown by Sir E. Hoare at the 

 Ashburnham Hall show, London, in 1863, that the strong 

 furore, which from that time set in, was displayed. Beating 

 Argyll IL, bred by Mr. Pearee (but shown in another name, 

 having been previously sold), he was at once claimed by Mr. 

 Pearee at the selling price (30 guineas), and proved a profit- 

 able investment, earning for his owner alarge annual income 

 for several years at the stud, and winning several prizes in the. 

 champion classes, together with the gold medal at thePaiis show 

 of 1865. On the show bench his grand head and rich color 

 drew general attention to him, and it was only to those who 

 could see him out that his rather weak hind-quarters were 

 visible. Taking prize after prize at Cremorne, Birmingham 

 (four times), Islington (twice), Worcester, and Paris, his ex- 

 traordinary career naturally caused a great amount of 

 jealousy, and he was called by the opposition party a "cur," 

 a "mongrel," a "half bloodhound," and a dozen 'other bad 

 names. Since that time, however, the real facts of the case 

 have been revealed; and there is little doubt that he was de- 

 scended on his sire's Bide from Mi" Jobling's kennel, and on 

 his dam's from that of Mr. Adamson. He was bought when 

 a puppy by Sir E. Hoare from an old rabbit-oaf ■ 

 his estate, who had brought him up under a cat. Probably 

 to his early confinement and bad-rearing may be attributed 

 his weak 'hind-quarters. So convinced, however, was Mr. 

 Pearee of his purity of breeding, that he determined to put 

 the matter to the test of experiment, and offered to trust ono 

 of his stock out of Regent to the care of the writer of this 

 article, to be brought up where he could not possibly see 

 game, and at the proper age — namely, nine or ten months — to 

 be introduced to it without previously being entered to it in 

 any way. The result was in accordance with Mr. Pearce's 

 prophecy, for the puppy not only beat his ground in fine 

 style, but at the end of a few hours' work began to stand his 

 birds as only a well-bred pointer or setter will do, without 

 any artificial education of any kind. Of course the report of 

 this trial added greatly to Kent's reputation, and being Eo 

 lowed by the successes of Rex (the above puppy) at Stafford 

 and Shrewsbury, where he won three cups, beating in the 

 final trial Mr. Field's Duke, who had gained a high reputa- 

 tion in previous years, Kent had so strong a run at the stud 

 for several years, that it would be difficult in the present day 

 to find a black-tan setter without a strain of his blood. l\Ir. 

 Pearce's Regent had several large litters by him, in eluding Ka, 

 Young Kent, Iona, La Reine, Dame, Deal, and Silk — all win- 

 ners at shows or field trials.^ Mr. Stake's Shot, sue-, i 

 Birmingham and Islington in 1868-9, was out of La Reine; 

 and Mr. J. H Salter's Young Rex, winner at Brighton in 

 1876, is by Rex. 



But, in spite of the above successes, it cannot be denied 

 that the general opinion of good sportsmen in the south has 

 not been in favor of the breed since the institution of field 

 trials, in which it Taos been brought into competition with 

 the English and Irish setter. Both Rex and Young Kent had 

 shown marvelous powers of scent, but exception was taken 

 to their tiring action, and it must be admitted that six hours' 

 work was enough at one time for either of them, and proba- 

 bably too much for Young Kent, Both dogs also were head- 

 strong, and required severe treatment to keep there umt-i 

 command, and though neither showed the slightest . posi 

 tion to unsteadiness on the point, vet both were jealous be- 

 hind, and it was difficult to 

 Among the numberless special 

 which 1 have seen at work, not < 

 to catch the eye of the shootei 

 perfect cotMSpc-ndenee of man i 

 The pointer or setter ought alwl 

 is, and if put into big I CO' I ,r 

 his head at short intervals above 

 abouts. Now, as far a.- mj ex; 

 fcers, and notably the Kents, - 

 taken off a scent, without very l 



iiemselves of its fallacy. 



ike them work to hand 

 the breed [black-tan) 

 shown the solicitude 

 is BO i i atial to the 

 •.v!' ioh era 1 1 res sport, 

 ow - here Lis mastei 



b ,:u,. Should raise 



..- • rhiin Ills wliure- 



^.>es, black-tan sefe 



this, and cannot I >. 



■;. vi iv. till they have 

 Moat en' those fried in the 



field have been dead slow, including Mr. Stake's Shot, Mr. 

 Purcell Llewellyn's Wick, and Mr-, Primer's Dorset; but 



