FOREST AND STREAM 



85 



UTILITY OF FISH CULTURE. 



Mb. Editor: I read in your issue uf the 30th ult,, your 

 just criticism on the wonderful predictions of an astute Vir- 

 ginia editor. " Mirabik diciu " should bo the motto on his 

 coat of arms. Only fancy fish bo plentiful as to become I lie 

 i agricultural population ! Some clever geuius 

 should set to work to invent; a plan to cause the fish to run 

 straight from the -water to the pot, the frying-pan or the grid- 

 iron, lest the next generation should starve. If too lazy to 

 till the ground, they certainly will not take the trouble to 

 catch fish fur thdir dinner. "Talk of the Golden Age after 

 that ! 



The witty French poet, Boileau, one wrote the following 

 bitter satire on the whole human race: 



■mine est foi 



I'erjt pa= voir— 

 ii miroir." 



Well, sir, pnee- 



ing an arfio] rfl 



don. I was mad enough to 

 and fearing that some folk 

 might wish both Boileau an 



iy years ago— when writ- 

 ads', of the 

 1 small milage called Lon- 

 ! satirical lines ; 

 I d in the Gallic tongue 

 Ii down the crater of Etna, 



Vesuvius or Stromboii — places to give a wide berth to, mor 

 especially when they become excited, as I have seen them— I 

 thought I had belter make it plain by undertaking the trans- 

 lation ; and alter spending a whole long winter's night, wast- 

 ing half a quire of foolscap and sundry was lights, in trying 

 to reduce my version to two lines also,, I had to give it up 

 and content, myself with the following : 



Madness, proud man, 'a tliy universal fate, 



WUat. e'er thy tunli. tliy lalrir or estate; 



And he wito wmi:d no living madman see, 



Jlnst break his mirror and a hermit be. 

 There is an old Latin proverb, which is, I think, applicable 

 to the present case : Nihil tarn ab.wrdum, quod non dictum 

 sit ab aliqv.o philosophorum. The meaning whereof is, 1 be- 

 lieve, " There is no absurdity which has not been maintained 

 hy some philosopher." The ouly objection that I have hither- 

 to heard to the present system Of fish culture, so successfully 

 developed in Camilla and the United States, is from person's 

 who assert that the whole is a fraud and a bill of expense to 

 the State, from which no benefit can ever be derived. Facts 

 are stubborn things, and the results already achieved are too 

 well known to need comment. But, quoth Hudibras, 

 " A. man convinced against ills will 

 1b of the same opinion still," 

 Perce- Gaspc, Feb. 21, 1879. Pmxtp Vibbrt. 



Progrkss.— Uow this fish farming has grown since the fall 

 of 1848, when I saw Ressigue, with his trout eggs front the 

 Voger Mountains, France, in company with M. Coste, hatch- 

 ing the eggs in the Observatory, at Paris, and who can tell to 

 what it will extend in the next decade ? 



Yours truly, Ds. E. Sterling. 



HERRING SPAWN. 



(i Fbbcb-Gaspb, Feb. 19, 18T9. 



, KDITOB FOBEST AND STUEAM : 



In reply to Spencer B 1 . Baird's remarks relative to the Ilea spawn 

 washed upon Bonaventnre Beaeli I have not the slightest doubt, that it 

 is herring spawn and no other. In proof of which I beg to call the 

 learned Professor's attention to the following facte : 



1. "When the. immense shoals of herring arrive in June they are lull 

 of roe— fat. and splen did eating : but when tbey leave, having spawned, 

 they are poor and not worth During, 



2. The herring when spawning appear Instinctively to mate fur the 

 iandwasb, and I have seen them so thick along the Bonaventnre beach 

 lor a distance of three to four miles that you coald neither row nor pall 

 one of tbe fishermen's fiats throngb the dense mass— extending from 

 Hues to four acres out from higK water mark. And it is precisely at 

 this period that the wind-row, to to speak, is formed. 



s. The spawn when washed ashore is that of the herring In size and 

 appearance— wereaatng in balk ou the fine, warm sand ; the two black 

 specks, which are plainly visible io the naked eye, appearing only a few 

 days before tbe night-tide which washes away the entire mass. 



I shall endeavor to send a bottle containing a portion of each to Pro- 

 fessor Balrd In the spring. Sincerely yours, Phit.tf Vibebt. 



THE FLESH OF THE SAGE GROUSE. 



Fberfort, lit, .Jan. 10, 181B. 

 Editor Forest and Stream : 



Just a word or two, by your leave, pertaining to t'ae sage grouse con- 

 troversy, fiom an old plainsman. Engaged upon the survey and estab- 

 lishment of the southern and western boundaries of Wyoming Terri- 

 tory during the summers of 1S73 and '71, 1 had ample opportunities of 

 testing the qualities of the sage gronse as a table bird. In 1873 we 

 were In the field from April to October, and hardly a day passed when 

 we were in the sage country that we did not nave sage grouse, or as 

 more commonly known " sage bens," served up in some kind of style. 

 Much of the southern boundary, established tbat summer, runs through 

 a country most favorable indeed lor these birds, especially that, portion 

 immediately west of the "Rockies," known as the Red Desert, which 

 IB one vast sage plain of a hundred miles in width, extending from the 

 western foot of the Rockies to the eastern foot, of the HSscalante Mi 

 tains. In this region S3ge was almost Hie only vegetation, even g 

 being very scarce, and the name, lied Desert, is exceedingly appropri- 

 ate. Depending largely upon the " resources of trie country" for fresh 

 meat (a result of our army education), and the sage grouse being 

 almost the ordy kind of game we found in I bis terrible desert, and being 

 tame and sag) j nagged, we made use of large numbers of them. The 

 next year we ran through a somewhat better country, but, round abun- 

 dance ofs i nvo to say that I regard this 

 bird as one uf i... rds ol the plains, and, si 



aaniyf-" any aage, bitter or. unplea 



aste. Iu 1S6S, as a member of (ten. P. Br. Connors' staff, I pal : 

 in the Powder River Indian Expedition, and traveled* r ... 

 Leavenworth to Fort Laramie, ami thence in a. northwesterly direction 

 to the headwaters of the Powder River, across the divide to Tongue 

 River, and down Tongue River to the Yellowstone. Our experience 

 ■as identical wiih chat 1 

 ' * with the opinion 

 i work, "The Plains of 

 >!. Dodge is a thorough 

 , and as he was tor many 

 npilation of what came 



iga grouse through 

 have related above, audlfuliy ggrei 



jisaplanc 



■ i i, 

 eportsnmn and a very intelligent gentlemu 

 years on duty on the plains, his book being a 



under hi I own immediate observation, shonld be considered excellent 

 nthorlty. Speaking ot the sage grouse, or Cock of the Plains, he says : 



•• There is a strong prejudice against this gronse, on the ground that 

 its flesh Is said to taste strongly of the sage, which is Its principal food 

 in winter, MJ experience is that this is simply imagination. I have 

 never been able to discover such a taste, and I have eaten them at all 

 seasons of the year. I murt admit, however, that when I have shot 

 them tn winter I have so f3r yielded to the popular prejudice as to re- 

 move the crop at once. At all seasons of the year tbey feed, aa other 

 birds do, on insects— principally grasshoppers— and I have frequently 

 opened crops which were distended to the utmost with these plagues. 

 To my taste, there is no bird (except the Held plover) so perfectly dell- 

 (SOUS as the young sage grouBe during the month of August. It is juicy, 

 tender and delicate as a spring chicken, besides having the richest 

 game flavor." Tbamsw. 



Editor Forest and Stream : 



The question as to the edible qualities of the sage grouse 

 {Centracercm urophazi/mux) is being agitated through your 

 columns. I have shot and eaten many of these birds through- 

 out the West, and must add my indorsement to your opinion 

 on the subject. It is well known that a game bird's flesh is 

 influenced iu its flavor by the food it eats, and the same species 

 may differ widely in its gastronomic recommendations when 

 taken in different localities. The famed canvas back, shot 

 where its favorite food is wanting, or at seasons when it is 

 not accessible, is no better than, nor as good as, the mallard 

 which is omnivorous. This is applicable also, I think, to 

 certain fish. The flesh of pond-fed trout, when they are con- 

 fined to one diet, is very distinct in taste from that of the 

 wild fish, etc. The sage grouse feed largely upon the leaves 

 and blossoms of the shrub from which they take their name. 

 After a certain age this constant diet infuses into their flesh a 

 pungent, sagey taste, more or less noticeable in proportion as 

 other food is procurable, The young birds cannot and do not 

 immediately feed upon the sage, but vary their diet with in- 

 sects, or any seeds that they may be able to procure. Late in 

 the season, however, these having disappeared, they are per- 

 force driven to the sage, which soon affects their flesh in the 

 manner alluded to. To compare the edible qualities of the 

 sage grouse, young or old, to those of our eastern or western 

 ruffed grouse seems to me most absurd. As a game bird the 

 are way down on the list; their (light is clumsy, 

 tbey are easily bagged, and when cooked are under no circum- 

 stances excellent, and, in my opinion, generally very poor eat- 

 ing. The ptarmigan, mountain and dusky grouse of the 

 Rocky Mountains are iar ahead of the Cock of the Plains- 

 and all must yield to the superiority of ruffed grouse, Eastern 

 or Western varieties. Incoo. 



The discussion of this question seems to us utterly unprof- 

 itable, for from the nature of the case we can obtain no facts 

 upon the subject. Each correspondent's views will differ ac- 

 cording to his taste, and in consequence we can have 

 nothing but a series of opinions. What is one man's meat may 

 be another's poison. What would our readers say if we should 

 print a number of contributions in favor of or against the 

 flavor of the onion ? 



CURIOUS FACTS. 



Jefferson City, Mo., Feb. 6. isr». 

 Editor Forest and Stream : 



I noticed an article in a local paper here yesterday, stating that a 

 gentleman, while out hunting in Calaway Co., a county adjoining this, 

 in the month of January, found a quail's nest with fifteen or sixteen 

 eggs, and the mother bird sitting on the nest. After she flew off the 

 nest he examined it carefully, the bunch of grass covering it being 

 filled with ice and frozen solid, leaving just space enough under It for 

 the bird and her nest, and a place for exit. A few days after rinding it 

 he and other parties went to examine it again. This time they found 

 the bird still sitting on the nest, but frozen to death. A portion of the 

 eggs had been hatched, but the young wete also frozen. Was 

 this not a very singular occurrence? I should have been somewhat 

 skeptical in regard to it if I had not met with very nearly a similar 

 case while, out quail shooting four years ago this winter, in company 

 with a venerable Bportsman, Mr. Pratt, of this place. ;our dogs made 

 a point. We flushed a single bird after considerable kicking aronnd 

 in the grass and snow, and found she had been sitting on her nest con- 

 taining three apparently fresh eggs ; but, alas I she never returned to 

 finish her maternal duties. It was too late when we found the oanse 

 of her reluctant flight. 



During the cold weather and deep snow of four years ago this winter 

 I was eye-witness to an attack on a rabbit by a lot of crows, in which 

 the latter came off victorious. I was going duck hunting one morning 

 (the ducks staid with us all that winter), and in passing through a strip 

 of timber near my destination, my attention was drawn to a congrega- 

 tion of crows. I supposed from the noise they were making that they 

 had found some belated owl, and were having a good time at his ex- 

 pense. After a little investigation, however, I heard the cry of a rabbit 

 in the general medley of noises, and drawing still closer, watched the 

 proceedings. The crows had apparently found the rabbit in its form 

 and, either driven by hunger, or knowing its helpless condition in the 

 deep snow, had made a combined attack, flying at it in rapid sueces 

 sion, each giving it a vigorous peck. The poor animal was floundering 

 about in the snow, perfectly confused, and at each successful thrust of 

 Its tormentors it nttered its pitif nl cry. I went to it, and pfcSed it up 

 without diilleulty, and found that both its eyes had been picked out 

 It was bleeding badly, and the snow where it had been was covered 

 with its blood. I was unable to And any wound other than those made 

 by the crows. I knocked it on the head, leaving it for the crows to 

 breakfast on, thinking it might divert their attention for a short time 

 from any ducks that I might Mil or cripple and not retrieve immediate- 

 ly. Many a fine fat mallard and canvas- back have I lost in this way. 



^__^_________ II. O. MtJNGEH, 



Poachers and Pirates.— The Cork correspondent of the 

 Loudon Times tells this story of a hoax recently perpetrated 

 about a pirate ship off the Irish coast : 



The gunboat Goshawk has been for sometime past engaged 

 in protecting the fisheries at Bkickrock. near Cork, and it is 

 supposed that, in order to carry out their illegal practices, 

 some fishermen circulated the rumor that a pirate vessel was 

 orl the harbor. The intelligence being conveyed to Lloyd's, 

 the gunboat was ordered out to look after this phantom depre- 

 dator, with the result already known. In the meantime the 

 poachers, it is stated, made large hauls. It will be remem- 

 bered tbat about two years ago a hoax resulted in sending the 

 Goshawk on a perilous trip to Vigo Bay, the fishermen of 

 Cork harbor benefiting considerably by her absence 



Miles' Ai.b.— For aB good ale as a man needs for his re- 

 freshment, try a sample at Miles' Brewery, 55-9 Chrystie 

 street, 



ffeodlmtd, 4/form mul §mden. 



SHEEP CULTURE IN TEXAS. 



Eaole KixoH, Throckmorton Co., Texas. 

 Editor Forest and Stream; : 



Last May I left New Jersey with a friend for Texas, with a 

 view of starting a sheep ranch, if on looking over the country 

 We liked the climate, the people and the prospect generally. 

 After a pleasant trip of four days we arrived at Ft. Worth, a 

 city of probably 7,000 inhabitants, and at present the terminus 

 of the Texas & Pacific Railway. We remained here a week, 

 procuring our outfit, which consisted of four ponies, blankets, 

 cooking utensils, provisions, a shelter tent and a man to act as 

 guide and cook. One of the ponies carried our baggage. 



Our first stop was at Ft. Griffin, a frontier post garrisoned 

 by a company of tbe 10th Kegt., commanded by Capt. Lin- 

 coln. The town claims to have four hundred inhabitants, 

 has quite good stores and a good hotel, " The Planters'." The 

 principal trade of the town is with the buffalo hunters, who 

 outfit here. We remained here nearly two weeks looking 

 over the country, were very much pleased and selected a lo- 

 cation. This accomplished, we laid in a fresh stock of pro- 

 visions and resumed our ride turning our luces southward, 

 our objective point being San Antonio, 355 miles distant, 

 where we expected to purchase our stock. 



We had very pleasant weather, saw plenty of game, ante- 

 lope, etc., but only shot enough to keep our larder supplied. 

 The country in general we found very beautiful, rolling and 

 well watered. "We reached San Antonio in fifteen days, hav- 

 ing been in all twenty-five days in the saddle. We went into 

 camp at San Pedro Springs, and leaving it in charge of our 

 guide took up our quarters at Hord's Hotel ; found it a very 

 fine house. I passed a week very pleasantly and looking over 

 the quaint old town foiiud much to interest a stranger." The 

 historic Alamo, originally a church and convent, but being 

 converted into a fortress by the Texan patriots during their 

 struggle for independence, became a modern Thermopybe, 

 not one of its heroic defenders escaping to tell the tale of dis- 

 aster. The adobe wall which once surrounded it is gone, 

 and the inclosure forms part of what is now the Alamo 

 Plaza. 



The Alamo itself is used as a warehouse. It should be 

 purchased by the State and kept forever as the fittest monu- 

 ment to the brave hearts whose blood consecrated its walls. 

 1 say fittest, although a shaft has been erected, bearing a 

 legend which stirs our blood now as "Kemembei- the Alamo;" 

 Remember Goliad," did that of the avengers of San Jacinto. 

 The Thermopylae had its messenger of defeat, the Alamo had 

 none." 



San Antonio is improving rapidly, many fine houses and sub- 

 stantial blocks of stores having been lately built. The streets in 

 the old part of the town are narrow, and the sidewalks roughly 

 paved. Now and again you see a quaint old Mexican house, 

 with adobe walls and roof. The walls rising above the roof 

 form a parapet, which next the street is pierced with holes 

 every five or six feet, from which wooden gutters extend 

 over the sidewalk, to carry off the rain. The San Antonio 

 River, a rapid stream, runs through the city. A short dis- 

 tance above a large portion of its flow is divided, and 

 the water being conducted through the streets into the 

 country, causes a luxuriant growtr/bf vegetables, fruits and 

 flowers. Fruits we found very abundant*; delicious melons 

 at a few cents. The climate is warm, but there is generally 

 a good air blowing up from the Gulf which makes it pleas- 

 ant, and the nights are always cool. The banks of the river, 

 which now and again deepen into quiet pools, are lined with a 

 luxuriant growth of cannas and colodiums, whose forms are 

 seen mirrored in the crystal waters below. 



At the foot of nearly every garden is a little bathing house, 

 a simple affair, only a light wooden frame-work, supported on 

 some empty barrels and covered with muslin. A few miles 

 below the city are the old Roman Catholic Missions of La 

 Concepcion, Jan Jose, San Juan and De Espada. La Con- 

 ception is in much the best state of preservation. Of San 

 Jose there is nothing left but the lofty facade, with its wealth 

 of superbly sculptured colossal figures, interspersed with 

 cherubs and exquisite scroll work, and a small chapel under 

 what was the bell tower. Here we found an old Mexican 

 woman telling her beads. The stately roor, beneath which 

 once knelt a crowd of dusky Indiau worshipers, now lies n 

 mass of ruins. On every side are the remains of irrigating 

 canals, which wind in and out among what were once lovely 

 gardens and fruitful fields. San Jose and De Espada are 

 scarcely more than ruins, and of comparatively little interest. 



After looking over a number of flocks of sheep for sale, 

 we finally selected one of 2,400 head of "improved Mexi- 

 cans," secured two herders, bought a wagon to carry camp 

 equipage and provisions, and on June 30 started our flock 

 toward their future home. They reached the raDch August 

 15— a long, weary drive. I did not go up with them, but re- 

 turned home via Galveston, taking" passage in the steamer 

 San Antonio for New York. In September I ret.uined, 

 bringing with me a car-load of thoroughbred Spanish Merino 

 ewes and rams. 



We are located on Elm Creek, a few miles above its junc- 

 tion with the Brazos River, in Throckmorton County, twenty- 

 five miles from Fort Griffin, which is our nearest post office, 

 although we have the promise of one at Williamsburgh, a 

 towu of two houses, three miles from here. 1 am delighted 

 with the country. The creek is a clear running stream, full 

 of the finest fish --plenty of bass, as they call 

 them here (although not the black bass of the North), 

 weighing from five to six pounds. Ducks are very abundant. 

 Wild turkey and antelope are seen nearly every day. A few 

 years ago the buffalo were here in countless hinds ; now only 

 a stray one comes along. As 1 write, two antelODe and a deer 

 till our larder. This country is well adapted to stock of all 

 kinds, the short, nutricious, curling, mesquite grass form- 

 ing abundant pasturage, curling on the ground in the fall iuto 

 natural layers, and remaining green at the roots all winter. 

 It is a sad mistake, however, to think that sheep in Texas, or 

 at least in Noithern Texas, require no shelter or feed duriDg 

 the winter. It is true that several years may pass without 

 there being any absolute necessity for it, but now and again 

 will come such a winter us we are now experiencing, when 

 tbey muse have, it or die. We at. once began building correls 

 of stone, with sheds along one side and across tbe 

 terrible norther, accompanied by rain and sleet, came up be- 

 fore tbe sheds were entirely finished, and in the morning we 

 found 125 dead sheep in one correl smothered and I 

 death in their frantic efforts to escape the 

 there not being enough shed room for all. In another correl, 

 entirely open, we lost but twenty-five. 



