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FOREST AND STREAM 





A WEEKLY JOURNAL, 



Devoted to Field and Aquatic Sports, Practical Natural History, 

 Fish Culture, the Protection of Game, Presrvation of Forests, 

 and the Inculcation in Men and "Women of a healthy interest 

 in Out-£ oor Recreation and Study : 



PUBLISHED BY 



parent md <§tremif fflribBzhing jS/omymfg, 



AT 



103 FULTON STREET, NEW YORK. 



Terms, Five Dollars a Year, Strictly in Advance. 



A discount of twenty per cent, for five copies and upwards. Any person 

 sending us two subscriptions and Ten Dollars will receive a copy of 

 Hallock's "Fishing Tourist,'' postage free. 



Advertising Kates. 



In regular advertising columns, nonpareil type, 121ines to the inch, 25 

 cents per line. Advertisements on outside page, 40 cents per line. Reading 

 notices, 50 cents per line. Advertisements in double column 25 per cent, 

 extra. Where advertisements are inserted over 1 month, a discount of 

 10 per cent, will be made; over three months, 20 per cent ; over six 

 months, 30 per cent. 



NEW YORK, THURSDAY, JAN. 29, 1874. 



To Correspondents. 



AH communications whatever, whether relating to business or literary 

 correspondence, must be addressed to The Forest and Stream Pub- 

 lishing Company. Personal letters only, to the Manager. 



All communications intended for publication must be accompanied with 

 real name, as a guaranty of good faith. Names will not be published if 

 objection be made. No anonymous contributions will be regarded. 

 ^.Articles relating to any topic within the scope of this paper are solicited. 



We cannot promise to return rejected manuscripts. 



Ladies are especially invited to use our columns, which will be pre- 

 pared witb i areful reference to their perusal aud instruction. 



Secretaries of Clubs and Associations are urged to favor us with brief 

 notes of their movements and transactions, as it is the aim of this paper 

 to become a medium of useful and reliable information between gentle- 

 men sportsmen from one end of the country to the other ; and they will 

 find our columns a desirable medium for advertising announcements. 



The Publishers of Forest and Stream aim to merit and secure the 

 patronage and countenance of that portion of the community whose re- 

 fined intelligence enables them to properly appreciate and enjoy all that 

 is beautiful in Nature. It will pander to no depraved tastes, nor pervert 

 the legitimate sports of land and water to those base uses which always 

 tend to make them unpopular with the virtuous and good. No advertise- 

 ment or business notice of an immoral character will be received on any 

 terms ; and nothing will be admitted tp any department o the paper that 

 may not be read with propriety in the home circle. 



We cannot be responsible for the dereliction of the mail service, if 

 money remitted to us is lost. 



Advertisements should be sent in by Saturday of each week, if possible. 



CHARLES HALLOCK, 



Managing Editor. 



THE INTER-COLLEGIATE REGATTA— 

 THE QUESTION OF SARATOGA. 



FROM the careful report of the Rowing Convention, 

 sent to us by our own correspondent, the public may 

 gain information in regard to the important subject as to 

 where the next great university race is to be held. 



We can fully appreciate the motives which actuated gen- 

 tlemen who were earnest in their endeavors to have the 

 contest take place at Saratoga, and those opposed to it. We 

 do not in the least incline to think that the measures urged 

 for or against Saratoga were inspired by any other feelings 

 than those tending to the ultimate advantage of the Univer- 

 sity Rowing Associations of the country; nor are we at all 

 surprised that a notable crew (as may be seen by our later 

 advices) had bolted the Convention, having determined not 

 to row at Saratoga. 



No one speaks of Saratoga as a boating race ground with- 

 out being of the decided opinion that it is the most perfect 

 piece of water for such purposes in the country, and that 

 it is so situated geographically as to be of easy access for 

 eastern and northern University Rowing Clubs. Where, 

 then, is the hitch? 



The distaste certainly arises from the unfortunate fact 

 that though Saratoga is thronged for months in the gayest 

 season of the year with all the wealth and grace of the 

 country, still there is an unfortunate prestige about Sara- 

 toga which certain men, and certain good, honest, simple 

 fathers and mothers, and the teachers and professors of 

 these rowing men, feel. If this sentiment did not find in 

 the Hartford Convention its fullest expression, it is talked 

 about and commented upon in the homes and by the fire- 

 sides of the students. It may be squeamishness, it may be 

 a false sentiment, but we are forced to make the positive 

 statement that Saratoga is objected to mainly from the fear 

 that the college men may be led astray, or have thrown on 

 them the imputation of having been conspicuous actors at 

 a place where vice too often lifts its head, and rarely finds 

 a voice which calls things by their proper names. 



Of the Saratoga Rowing Association, we cannot but speak 

 in the highest terms. No one thinks otherwise than that 

 the association will carry out in every way the arrangements 

 proposed by them, and that they are keenly aware, as fully 

 as we are, how prejudicial all the bad elements which out- 

 crop there are to the rowing interests of the United States 

 One thing we feel certain of, and that is that when the race 

 does take place, the actions of all the men making up the 



crews, and of their associates, will be carefully watched, 

 and that should the least thing occur, prejudicial to morals, 

 all future courses at Saratoga will be forever tabooed, and 

 other places, with less of a social taint, even having much 

 less rowing advantages, will be selected. 



Where an Univt rsity race is to be held, must be at all 

 times a difficult problem to solve. Putting entirely aside 

 the questions of localit3 r or convenience as to racing or 

 training, a contest between University crews — do what con- 

 ventions may — must always take the decided character of a 

 public exhibition. Such boating events will invariably be 

 attended by tens of thousands of spectators, an audience 

 made up of the most incongruous elements, which audience, 

 we fancy, is no better or no worse, as to component parts, 

 than that which would be collected in any other part of the 

 world. 



-O-Hb- 



THE ANGLO-AMERICAN MATCH. 



LETTER FROM MR. PRICE, THE OWNER OF BELLE. 



WE are pleased to lay before the readers of the Forest 

 and Stream and all American sportsmen the very 

 courteous letter sent to us by Mr. R. T. Lloyd Price, the 

 owner of the famous dog Belle, the winner of the Rhiwlas 

 pointer and setter trials of 1873. 



We have tc congratulate ourselves that we have not been 

 too premature in stating the rules governing such Field 

 Trials, and that we have been cautious in regard to publish- 

 ing any rules whatsoever without the certainty that such 

 rules were exact. 



It must be evident to any one acquainted with the pecu- 

 liarities of those entering into contests of any kind, how 

 half the trouble arises, from the fact of matters not 

 being thoroughly understood at the commencement. In 

 event of any disputes, arising from misconception of the 

 rules, after we have given them due publicity, we must 

 therefore be held blameless. 



We have no reason, however, to suppose that such con- 

 tingencies can arise, but representing as we do the interests 

 of both the United States arid England, and desirous to see 

 these Field Trials amicably and pleasantly concluded, it 

 particularly behooves us to be careful in any detail. 



The Field Trials, we find from Mr. Price's 'letter, were 

 inaugurated, and arc carried out under the supervision of 

 the members of the Kennel Club. This is an organization 

 of gentlemen who are strictly ballotted for, and all men 

 who enjoy the highest social position in England, among 

 them we find the Marquis of Huntly, Marquis of Buchanan, 

 the Earl of Onslow, LordLurgan, (the owner of the famous 

 greyhound, the late Master McGrath), The Hon. R. C. 

 Hal, Major Piatt, the Revd. J. C. Macdona. and many 

 other leading representative Englishmen. The Kennel 

 Club lays down the rules for not o-ly the canine exhibi- 

 tions at Sydenham, Birmingham, Nottingham and else- 

 where, but determines how the Field Trials shall be con- 

 tested. In fact the Kennel Club is a body of elite, who 

 actuated by the love of the dog, devote their attention to 

 developing his excellence in every way. 



It will be seen that Mr. Price believes in the possibility 

 of getting some of the English Sportsmen to visit this 

 country, and to make a trial of their English dogs here on 

 our own stamping ground. We feel sure that we express 

 the sentiment of every American gentleman when we state 

 that any sportsman coming here to try our prairies and our 

 game, would be received with the greatest courtesy, and all 

 would vie in making him welcome. 



We must express ourselves more than pleased by the tone 

 of Mr. Price's communication, when he says that "The 

 match is, proposed by us entirely in a friendly spirit," and 

 can either he run for glory alone or for a good stake. 



Rhiwlas, Bala., Merionethshire, N. Wales, 



January 8th, 1874. 

 Editor Forest and Stream:— 



I enclose you the regulations of the two principal Field 

 Trial Meetings that have been held this year, with the names 

 of the winners of the various stakes attached, which may 

 in part afford you the desired information. The Kennel 

 Club consists of a number of gentlemen, leading men in 

 sporting affairs, who are strictly ballotted for, and all men 

 of the highest position. They con-titute in fact "The 

 Jockey Club," in shooting matters and dog shows, arid all 

 cases of disputes at " Field Trials " are I believe referred 

 to them. They organize every June a very large clog show 

 at the Crystal Palace, with that held at Birmingham, which 

 are the most successful and best arranged shows in ex- 

 istence. 



The Kennel Club organized also the very successful and 

 well attended Field Trials, held last September, and they 

 intend continuing them. They are compiling a book, con- 

 taining the names, pedigrees and histories of all fine winning 

 dogs, both in the field and on the show bench, somewhat 

 similar in fact to the Shorthorn Herd Book. It is the in- 

 tention of Mr. Macdona and myself, should the Anglo- 

 American Match come off, to place the matter entirely in 

 the hands of the Kennel Club, to select the dogs to compete 

 for England, and to make all arrangements in order that 

 there can be no question as to everything being arranged 

 with ability and uprightness. Mr. Macdona and myself 

 have won the principal prizes at Field Trials this year with 

 our representatives, Ranger, (setter) and Belle, (pointer). 

 We consider ourselves therefore fairly entitled to represent 

 the mother country in this matter-; but should the committee 

 of the Kennel Club consider that better dogs can be found 

 to run in England, we shall give way to their opiuion in- 



stantly. The match is proposed by us entirely in a friendly 

 spirit, and can be run for glory alone, or for a good stake. 

 As to the proposition which I see in Forest and Stream, 

 that we should cross the Atlantic with our dogs, I can only 

 say in behalf of Mr. Macdona and myself, that nothing 

 would give us greater pleasure. Personally there is no- 

 thing I can conceive more enjoyable than to visit your 

 grand country, but family ties might prevent our absence 

 for the lengthy period which would be necessary. 



I have little doubt, however, that some aspiring young 

 bachelors might easily be found. I know of two gentlemen 

 owning fine dogs, who might be willing!.to show their ani- 

 mals off on your prairies, than which I cannot conceive any 

 grounds more suitable, I have no doubt but that the Ken- 

 nel Club would welcome with open arms any American 

 gentlemen interested in sporting matters, who might wish 

 to join them. Truly yours, W. T. Lloyd Piuce. 



[Suggestions as to Field Trials to suit American-bred setters 

 will be published next week.] 



•+++' 



REPORT OF THE STATE COMMISSION- 

 ERS OF FISHERIES OF PENNSYLVA- 

 NIA FOR 1873. 



t 



THE report of Messrs. H. J. Reeder, B. J. Hewit, and 

 James Duffy, State Commisioners of Fisheries for 

 Pennsylvania, is a most thorough and interesting docu- 

 ment. Pennsylvania, though not enjoying the peculiar la- 

 custrine formations which abound in New York, has many 

 noble rivers. Of these the Delaware River is the most re- 

 markable, and once abounded with fish. In our review of 

 the report of the New Jersey Fishery Commissioners, we 

 stated how the shad were diminishing in the Delaware 

 River. As the Jersey fishermen spoil every chance of gain- 

 ing a livelihood on the Delaware by the most reckless and 

 indiscriminate fishing, it is not to be expected that those of 

 the same craft on the Pennsylvania side are any wiser. 

 Commencing almost with the very first lines of the report, 

 we read "that a large number of streams running through 

 our State [Pennsylvania] has become so depopulated of 

 fishes by persistent, wanton slaughter as to render them 

 almost valueless to our people as a source of food." In re- 

 gard to shad, which particular fishery occupies the bulk of 

 the report, we find it stated that illegal, indiscriminate, and 

 wasteful fishing has almost depopulated the great streams 

 of the State emptying into the Atlantic, which at one time 

 abounded with this valuable and esculent fish. Nothing 

 can show this fact in a stronger light than that during the 

 last season, of all the fishing associations on the Delaware 

 only six found it a remunerative business. The commis- 

 sioners attribute this deterioration in quality and quan- 

 tity to three causes. First. The practice of fishing with 

 drift nets in the lower portions of the river. Second. That 

 the close season, or the time during which fishing is for- 

 bidden in the rivers, is not sufficiently long .and suffi- 

 ciently observed; and third, the destruction of the young- 

 shad when returniug to the sea by fish baskets. The New 

 Jersey commissioners fully described the character of these 

 nets. Like walls, they are made to sweep almost across 

 the entire channel of a river, and differ from nets which 

 are set. These nets float up and down with the tide, catch- 

 ing all the fish in the river, or chasing them away. As to 

 the close time, discussed in full by the commissioners, it is 

 declared to be too short. After every invention that hu- 

 man ingenuity can devise has been brought into play to 

 catch the fish every day in the week save Sunday, the fish 

 are then allowed breathing time from midnight of Satur- 

 day until midnight of Sunday only. The commissioners 

 ask that the fish be given but a few more hours' respite, 

 and that the time be extended from sunset of a Saturday 

 until miduight of Sunday, only some six hours more. But 

 of all the wretched methods of killing the sniall shad the 

 fish baskets are the most to be decried. These instruments 

 of extirpation are placed in mid-channel of the river, with 

 wings of stone, extending on either side toward the shores. 

 Of course it is utterly impossible for any fish to escape the 

 basket. Even if some few fish do get through they are so 

 much bruised as to perish miserably after their escape. 

 Nothing is more delicate than the fish organism in its ten- 

 der younger stage, and the abrasion of a single scale kills 

 a young fish, most especially a shad. Cases have come 

 under the notice of the commissioners where more than a 

 cart load of young shad have been removed from these 

 wretched fish baskets. Calculate, if you can, the heedless 

 waste of money — of food here. Young fish, useless as a 

 nutritious aliment to man, even too insignificant to be em- 

 ployed as a manure, if they had been allowed to grow, and 

 had then been caught at the proper season, would have fed 

 over five thousand men, and would have represented no 

 inconsiderable amount of money. The commissioners beg 

 the Legislature to make laws for their immediate destruc- 

 tion. To-day the law allows a ten days' notice given by the 

 sheriff before proceeding to destroy the basket; the com- 

 missioners want the fish baskets to be done away with at 

 once, on sight. 



How shall the Delaware and the other rivers of the State 

 of Pennsylvania be restocked with fish? It seems as if the 

 interests involved in the drift nets were too numerous to be 

 done away with by any summary enactment, but a more 

 strict and somewhat increased period of close time, and 

 the utter stopping of the erection of fish baskets on any 

 stream in the State, may, it is hoped, somewhat improve 

 the condition of things. But the chief reliance of the 

 commissioners Is in artificial propagation. Citing the bril- 

 liant examples of Connecticut, where the shad have m in- 



