J.' Vlui, 31 &L\U J 1 lU!/iiJtt. 



,..,,- 



this petroleum jelly in salt water shooting thia past fall, 

 and claims it O. K. I differ with the " Major " as to its 

 being cut with turpentine or like nature, and being as good as 

 in its raw state, for this jelly forms a coating similar to 

 shellac or varnish, and is easily put on by warming a trifle. 

 I think it can be bought in any wholesale paint and oil store, 

 and costs about $1.20 per pound. I think the sportsmen have 

 in thia rust preventer the " A'e plut ultra," Paul. 



Mobe Rust Pkeventivb.— A Philadelphia correspondent 

 writes : 



An equal proportion, say one ounce each of mercural oint- 

 ment and cosmoline, I have found to be the bast preventive 

 from rust or corrosion on gun barrels when they are exposed 

 to the salt air or the action of salt water. I have known guns 

 that have been coated with this preparation to be laid away 

 for rive montlis, and, after rubbing them well prior to using 

 them, not to show a particle of rust or corrosion. 



DoMOusit fob Rubt. — Mr. Editor: Among the various 

 articles of gun grease lean recommend an article made from 

 petroleum called Dumoline ; I think it is an excellent rust pre- 

 venter, used by surgeons on their dissecting instruments, is 

 cheap, does not run or smell badly, and being used by apothe- 

 caries as a basis for some ointments can easily be obtained. 

 In common with many others I do not believe in grease on 

 guns when used for dry upland work, except of course around 

 locks and break-off. This is juBt where Dumoline works 

 nicely, lubricating without working out to soil clothes. Pick- 

 erel fishing has been well enjoyed, but genuine field sports at 

 present are dry, pedestrianism excepted, this runs high just 

 now. Yours, R. L. K. 



—A Fort Omaha, Neb., correspondent writes: "Cosmoline 

 has been used for several years by the U. S. Army in clean- 

 ing small arms. It is generally regarded as the best oil 

 which has ever been used in the service. It will remove rust 

 which has remained in guns for a long time ; if applied liber- 

 ally, it will effectually prevent the formation of rust in any 

 climate. W. L. Cabpkktbb, TJ. 8, A. 



As 10 Pattkbhb— Mr. Editor: E. L. Seeley, in your issue 

 of Feb. 27, says he beat my pattern of 309 pellets in 30-inch 

 circle, at 40 yardB, with same amount of shot, but he does 

 not say bow much powder he used in his 7£lbs. Clabrough. 

 I said I used 5 drachms ; had I used 4 or Si drachms I could 

 have made a better pattern. I shot the same gun (a cheap 

 Parker) against a Scott that cost three times more than mine, 

 and beat it every time, each using same amount of powder 

 and shot, shells loaded'all alike ; and I can beat his 7£lbs, 

 Clabrough, too. »# rr - " Jas. Rot. 



Brookfield, 0. 



Light and Improved Wading Pants. — As the early song 

 of the blue bird warns us that spring is at hand, bringing 

 with it 1he joyous troutiog season, I am prompted to bring to 

 the notice of my brethren of the rod and line an article long 

 needed, which the past season contributed very greatly to the 

 comfort, and especially the success, on many fishing excur- 

 sions, namely, a pair of light, yet strong, wading pants, with 

 rippers and soles all in one article. I had tried the English 

 wading stockings (an abomination), which requires a pair of 

 woolen socks to be drawn over them, and on the outside of 

 these a pair of stout shoes ; also the long-legged heavy Ameri- 

 can rubber hip boots,— and all were found tiresome and clumsy. 

 Finding that I could not procure what I wanted, I persuaded 

 the Presidentof the Goodyear Glove Manufacturing Company, 

 office corner Broadway and Broome street, New York, to 

 make for me the article wanted, and which, after a severe 

 practical trial, has given perfect satisfaction. Let me des- 

 cribe tbem. The legs are made of light colored silesia 

 inside and out, with a coating of rubber between, and ex- 

 tend up to the waist, and are supported with suspenders. 

 The foot parts are attached to the legs, or rather made with 

 them, and are covered with stout white canvas, and this can- 

 vas is double for an inch in length all around the soles to 

 protect the feet from sharp stones. The soles are a quarter of 

 on inch thick, and made with a composition of fine pieces of 

 cork and pure rubber, and the heels the same. This 

 arrangement prevents slipping when wading in streams 

 with slimy stones. The whole thing is perfectly water- 

 proof, and a great comfort to wear, and my friends 

 who have seen them all want to know where such 

 goods can be bought. I believe the aforesaid company 

 will place them in the market this spring. They can be made 

 either as hip pants, or to extend to the waist. I prefer those 

 that come to the waist, because, when fishing in a brook over- 

 hung by alders, I find that fishermen haviDg low stockings 

 avoid such places, and by being able to wade in deep water 

 and such spots I am very apt to secure many a fine flsh 

 overlooked. These pants would also prove a great boon to 

 salmon anglers in Canada. I have had such pleasure in the 

 use of these pants that I want others to know of them. The 

 hip style will not probably cost as much, or any more, 

 than the imported stockings. Huntington. 



Robbeb "CibotjL&es" fob Spobtsmkn — Editor Forest and 

 Stream: " Clericus " very justly complains of the ordinary 

 rubber overcoat as being altogether unsuited to the wants of 

 the sportsman, particularly when he is seated in the stern of 

 the skiff. In that your correspondent is undoubtedly right, 

 but I think he errs in his suggestion of a remedy. It is not 

 additional length that he requires to make him comfortable, 

 but greater width. Years ago I realized this fact, and if 

 " Clericus" will do as I did he will be able not only to keep 

 every thread perfectly dry during the severest storm, but will 

 soon learn to rather enjoy an occasional shower. Instead of 

 a coat which is about the same size at the bottom that it is 

 at the top, let him procure a rubber circular, or cape with 

 sleeves. This garment, which is large around the bottom, 

 will enable "Clericus" to keep his knees, when sitting, as 

 dry aa his shoulders ; and in addition to this, he will find am- 

 ple room for the complete protection of his gun. As to 

 length, it need not reach much below the knee when standing 

 erect, particularly if high top boots be worn. This is the 

 experience of one who has passed a portion of his time in 

 each of the last twenty years in the stern of an Adirondack 

 boat. B. D. 8. 



New York, March 18, 1879. 



We presume that the Hodgmans can fit out our damp 

 friends, and keep them as dry as old Noah in his ark. 



. ■«. . 



DITTMAR POWDER. 



Fbankmn, N. Y., March 13, 1879. 

 Editor Forest and Stream : 



I notice in the issue of Forest and Stream, No. 5, that 

 Robt. Walker makes a reply to the card of mine which I wrote 

 you in relation to our olub being obliged to prohibit the use of 



Dittmar powderfrom its lub shoots and matches. Now in 

 that card I was particularly careful not to mention any names 

 of the parties. They knew that the majority of the club stood 

 iu mortal terror of it, and refused to come out and shoot by 

 the side of it or be hear where it was used. It was thought 

 best to call for a vote of the entire club, which resulted in al- 

 most a unanimous vote to prohibit its use at club shoots and 

 matches, under penalties, etc. The club has no objections to 

 those of iu numbers who desire to test it or use it going by 

 themselves and using it to their entire satisfaction. I ask, Mr. 

 Editor, that you give these few lines space in your paper in 

 the Dittmar powder column, not only as a reply to Mr. Walk- 

 er's letter but to notify brother sportsmen that we have as yet 

 had no serious accident with it as a club or as individual 

 sportsmen, as I have understood many supposed that we have 

 had. " Ouleout BpoetbmaN's Club." 



NEE) BUNTLINE'S WORST SCARE. 



Mb. Editob -. Stamford, N. Y. 



In an active ana rather eventful life, much of which has been spent 

 amoDg the Red Men, I have been pretty badly scared a good many 

 times, but I think the worst fright I ever had was over on Wolf pond 

 fn Pike County, Pennsylvania. I think it is within the borders of the 

 Blooming Grove Park now, but am not sore. It lies off southwest from 

 Mast Hope four or live miles. 



I spent the summer of lf63 or '4 thereabout, catching trout, killing a 

 deer now and then, and rattlesnakes almost every day. 



I rode on my pony over to Wolf Pond one day to flah for yellow perch 

 and pickerel. There was an old boat, with a paddle fur propelling 

 power, and into it I got with my tackle, and was soou drifting lazily 

 over the sleepy waters, pulling in flsh at a lively rate, for the pond 

 little cshed and splendidly stocked. 



About noon I lunched in the boat, letting It drift as It liked, and was 

 taking things comfortably when I felt the jar of the boat as It touched 

 the shore near a rocky ledge. Have you ever felt a danger intuitively, 

 without seeing or hearing it t I did, just then. A kind of a chill came 

 over me with a thrill, and I turned my eye to the rocks behind me. 

 The same breath saw me jump full half the length of that boat, while 

 a sickening faintness came over me, and I stood, trembling from head 

 to foot. I had seen on the rocks, j ust in the act of striking, a full-sized 

 pilot, or copperhead snake, and it now wa3 in the bottom of the boat, 

 where it fell as it had struck when I leaped out of its way. I was weak 

 as an infant with the fright and shock, but I managed to raise the pad- 

 dle and kill the infernal venomous thing; and then- 1 made for the 

 landing, took my ash, and rode back to Mast Hope. 



f never flBhed lu Wolf Pond again, nor have I ever forgotten that 

 scare. Had I been ten years younger it would have stunted my 

 growth. Ned Bunti-inb. 



A. BATCH OF QUESTIONS. 



Stbasbukg, Va., March la, 1S?9. 

 Editob fobest and Stbkah : 



I have had It iu mind for some triae,to ask some questions of your 

 correspondents who understand shot-guns. We folks here, who do so 

 little hunting, find that our notions entertained heretofore in regard to 

 size of shot, length of barrel and size of bore, are at variaJBae.witli 

 those held by your correspondents. These three things— size of shot, 

 length of barrel and size of bore— are what I want to talk to them 

 about. 



1. Size of Shot— I have been using No. 4 for Bhot; Fokbst and 

 Stream says No. 8. Many persons here use No. 3 and some No. 2. 

 For wild turkey I commenced with BBB'f, bat gradually went ut> to 

 Nos, 1 and 2. Fobest and Stbeam says No. 5 -smaller than I h 

 been using for squirrels. It has occurred to me that, the same No. is 

 not alwajs the same size. This would be some explanation of the dilfer- 

 enoe lu No. used by different persons, but surely there should be tome 

 certainty, How is it about this shot business, anyhow 7 Certainly No. 

 6, or even No. 3, would do little execution upon an old gobbler 6u or ^o 

 yards. Am I not right 7 



2. LeDgth of Earrels-People with u» have a notion that long barrels 

 will throw Bhot much closer than short ones, especially at ;ong range. 

 I see that short barrels are recommended tor general shooting 

 Is it true that barrels, 28 to £2 inches, will throw shot in as tmail a 

 conipasB as barrels 36 to 40 inches t Will barrels 2S to a inches throw 

 shot with as little spread at the distance of 15 to lou jai ds aa barrels 3a 

 to 40 inches. 



3. Size of Bore— There 1b as mnca difference in the opinions of per- 

 sons about the size of the bore as there i3 about the length of Hie 

 barrels. Folks here think mat a small bore, say IS, will scatter much 

 less than larger ones— 10 or 12, with the same size shot. 1 no not Infer 

 this to be the opinion of the writers tor Fokest and Sbtkam. 



How is it about choke-bore muzzle-loaders 7 I should think that a 

 wad that would fit the muzzle would be too small when rammed down, 

 and this would prevent the use ol wads in them. 



Now, some of jour professional hunters may laugh at rue exhibiting 

 so much ignorance, aa I evidently do ; but I can afford to be laoshed 

 at if I can thereby obtain the desired information. Let some old vet- 

 eran in the art be kind enough to tell me what I want to know, de- 

 siring, as I do, a shot-gun with the best length of barrels and size of 

 bore for general shooting, yet knowing nothing about it. 



Jos. B. McIkttjbpf. 



PIGEON MATCHES. 



Mines Kod and Gun Club.— A very enjoyable shoot by some of the 

 members of the club, took place on Tnursua.i . March 20, at their club 

 grounds, at Springueld, L. 1. The day was very fair, and wind enough 

 to give the buds a fair show lor their Uvea. Capt. JameB T. Davis 

 proved himself the champion of the day, and was awarded with a 

 beamiful medal presented by a irlend. The following is the score at 

 snow birds and pigeons : 



Snow birds. Pigeons, 



H Miner 1 1 1—3 110 1—3— B 



M Englert 1 00011111 0-6 111 u— 3— 9 



John Wood 110101111 1— 8 10 1—2—10 



JamesT Davis l Ollioilll— 8 Hi 1-4— 12 



Geo Aery ....o oiiouooi 0—3 o o l 1—2— 6 



Wm steers .....1 1110 1110 0-7 n 1 1 1—3—10 



Chas Clancy 1 00001111 0—5 1 o 1 0—2— T 



John Vossamp 11110111 o-^r 1 1 l l— i— u 



jBBSEr Cut Heights Gtjn Club.— A grand tournament at glaBS 

 ball shooting will be held under the auspices ol the Jersey Guy Heighis 

 Gun Club, at their grouuas, We8t bud, Marion, on April 2. A good 

 programme rs promised. Amateurs rrorn everywhere are Invited Co 

 participate. 



Virginia— Staunton, March 11.— Pigecn nostch shot by the Bogardns 

 Club; 18 yards rise, &o yards boundary, Bogardus rules; weather clear 

 and windy, birds strung and in good condltton : 



C Berkeley 1 1 1 1 0—4 C Parker 1 1 1 1 1 1 1—7 



TSDoyle 1 1 1—3 H C Preston 1 111 1—6 



Ed EcholB 1 111111 1— S Hansbcfierer....!) 1 1 1 1 1 (I 1— ti 



Ham J Fultz ....1 10 1110 1—8 Jnllua Scheffer. . 1 10 1 li 1 1—8 

 Alex Harman....O o 1 1-2 Geo H Hudson.. .0 10 1111 1—6 

 Jno M Kinney. ..1 11110 1 1—7 



Tbnnbssbe— Kashlvile, March 18.— The following glass ball matches 

 came off to-day on the A. E. Burr club grounds; .Bogardus riles; Bit- 

 terlich. ttspa, 18 yards rlee : 



Fir? t match: 



Prltchett 111-3 Bush 1 1—2 



tarter 10 1 1—3 Home 1 1 1 1-1 



Mitchell 1 1 1 1—4 Cheatham 1 u— 1 



Kecond match: 



Cheatham 1 1—2 Home .0 1—1 



1 1—2 Mitchell t 1 1 0— B 



Prltchett 1 1 1—3 Bush 1 1 1 1—4 



Carter 



Third match: 



Bagio 1 1—2 Thompson 0-0 



Fonrth match : 



am 1 1 o 0-2 Valentine 1 1 1 1—4 



Prltchett.... .110—3 whlrworth 010 —1 



Cirnor 110 —2 Mitchell —0 



Bush i 110—3 Home o 1 1— 2 



Fifth match : 



Carter 1 1 0—2 Gilbert o 1 1—2 



Mm: in-ii l o o 1—2 Whttworth 1 o I— S 



Valentine o 1 o 1—2 



Seventh match: 



Gilbert t 1—2 Home ilOOl-l 



Carter l 1 l— 3 Whitworth 1 1—2 



Mitchell 10 1—2 



Eighth match : 



Whltwonh 1 1-2 itagio I o l l-s 



Hurue 1 0-1 Gnmtn 1 1 1. 0—3 



Tie on three: 



Ragio 1—1 Griffith ..0 0—0 



Ninth match— $10 a aide : 



Ragio 11 0-2 Whitworth.. T i 1 1—3 



Tenth match— $10 a aide : 



Haglo 10 1—2 Wnitworth o o l— l 



Eleventh mutch— Slo a side : 



Ragio 1 1 0—2 Whitwoith 1—1 



There is a grand tournament being arranged for a shoot at M'Whl- 

 klerviile, when the weather becomes fair, ac winch there will be some 

 bd endld scores, aa manv ol the contestants in the coming miitub. at 

 pigeons la Louisville will participate. 



—See Bogardus' advertisement. 



Rational §aHtim$u. 



CALTJM DHU, 

 The Renowned Scottish Aboheb. 



THE following thrilling extract is taken from Hansard's 

 "Book of Archery," published in London in 1841 : 



No braver warrior than Calum Dhu followed the banners 

 of the Chief of Colquhoun, and with them the powerful 

 McGregors were at inveterate feud. His cottage stood at the 

 base of a steep fenny hill within a sequestered glen that lay 

 beneath the 1 ofty Ben Lomond. Thus retired from the rest 

 of the clan he nourished deadly hatred toward the McGregors, 

 and was ever foremost in daDger when they joined in red 

 unyielding battle. For skilltul archery, Calum Dhu never 

 knew a rival; in wielding the claymore, too, he had few 

 equals ; but the bow was the weapon of his heart. 



The son of the chief of the McGregors, with two of his 

 clansmen, were at the chase. Their game being wide, they 

 wandered far and found themselves a little after mid-day on 

 the hill-top just above Calum Dhu's cottage. 



"Come," said the young chief, "let us go down and try 

 the strength of Calum Dhu's bow, which men say none but 

 he can bend. You and I, Evan, are reputed the best archers 

 of our clan, and it will go hard with us if we cannot show 

 him that the McGregors have thews and sinews equal to the 

 task. Hast though forgotten how often he has stained his 

 arrows with the heart'B blood of our bravest warriors, 

 piercing them through and through as if they had been 

 straw buts set up for holiday sport ? On, I say ! he knows 

 us not. Should he, we are three to one, and I owe him 

 somewhat," he continued, with eye of fire and voice quiver- 

 ing from subdued passion, " since our last affray, when he 

 drove an arrow through my uncle's gallant bosom. Follow, 

 then !" 



The will of a Highland chieftain was ever law to his clans- 

 men. 



" We will go down if a score of his best claymores were 

 with him," cried Evan fiercely. 



"iNay, be not rash ; we'll first bend and break his bow," 

 replied the chief ; *' and then for my uncle's blood." 



"They say he is good at the sword," remarked the third 

 McGregor, who had hitherto been silent, " but this," drawing 

 his dirk, ••shall stretch him on the sward." 



"Strike not behind," rejoined his lord ; "hew him down in 

 front ; he deserves honoraole wounds, for he is brave, though 

 an enemy. " 



A rising knoll had hitherto concealed the cottage, which 

 they now reached. Knocking loudly at the door, after some 

 delay, a little, thick-set, gray-eyed, oldish-looking man came 

 forth. 



Threads and thrums hung from his black, bushy head, as if 

 he had been employed in weaving the coarse linen of the 

 country and the time. Though the most incurious observer 

 could not have failed to remark the disproportionate length 

 of his arms in comparison with his stature, in all other re- 

 spects the man before them had none of the muscular symp- 

 toms of prodigous strength which Calum Dhu was reported 

 to possess, and which had so often proved so fatal to the 

 McGregor clan. 



To a querulous demand of what they might want, uttered 

 in the impatient tone of one interrupted in some engrossing 

 worldly employment, they replied by inquiring it Calum 

 Dhu was at home. 



"Ma, na; he's gone to the fishing. But anjye ha ony 

 message for our chief (Heaven guard him) nbout the coming 

 of the red McGregors, and will trust me with it, Calum wilt" 

 get it frae me. Ye may as well tell me as him. He stays 

 long when he gaes out, for he's a keen fisher. " 



•' We were only wanting to try the bending of his bow, 

 which report says no man can do save himself." 



" Hoo gin that's all, ye might have tell'd it at first, and no 

 keepit me sa Jang frae my loom. But stop." Thus saying, 

 the old fellow paused and gave his shoulders an impatient 

 shrug, as it appeared to his visitants j to a keen observer, 

 however, the action might have expressed satisiaction, 

 triumph arid determination. Then, on entering the house, he 

 quickly brought out a sheaf of arrows and a bow of the dark 

 red yew, so tall and stout that the young men were persuaded 

 the Colquhoun chieftaia was quite another sort of person from 

 the dwarfish being with whom they were then conversing. 

 He threw the arrows carelessly on the ground aud said : " Ye 

 will be trying your strength at a flight ? Like a glance of 

 lightning 1 hae seen Calum send a shaft over the highest point 



