364 



FOREST AND 



melodious snore of the— one of the natty (by that IJmean the 

 party did uot snore iu concert). Up, not only, bu1 early 

 enough to catch the breath Of the morning, tempered with 

 the aroma of spruce and fir that surrounded us ; a breakfast 

 that 1 ickled the palate and satisfied the stomach, aud then for 

 sport. 



M. was my companion, Evidently he was not used to my 

 style of casting, for his line frequently got a-foul of mine in 

 mid-air, and Win was occupied most of the time in disen- 

 tangling M.'s line from mine. However, we got some fine 

 trout, Modesty forbids that I should tell the number I cap- 

 tured, but 'twas royal sport. The morning's fishing finished, 

 we made for camp, where we rested during the middle of 

 the day, smokiog. reading and snoozing, in fact " lying off." 

 We "were well rested nod ready for fun in the a'fternoon, 

 and were off in different directions to try our luck; and 

 although we did not deplete the stream, we did not return 

 empty-handed. I noticed that M. had got the hang of my 

 stylo of casting, and we did not foul our lines so often as in 

 the morning, Evening, with its camp-fire, pipes, stories 

 and jokes, was welcomed; and then five weary but con- 

 tented mortals took a last squint at the stars aud turned in. 

 After a week spent with rods and guns, we reluctantly 

 struck camp, and Saturday night found us on the river-bank 

 nearly opposite Beaver Creek. Here we spent the Sabbath 

 and rested. Here M. and I varied the pleasure of trout 

 fishing by a night spent on PJlack Brook deer hunting ; 

 found plenty of signs, but got no buck. However, it was 

 sport, and uot devoid of excitement. 



The following day found us camped under the shadow of 

 Dtislin Mountain on the swift Diamond, one of the tributa- 

 ries of the Megalloway. This stream is famed for its trout 

 fishing. It is a beautiful stream, clear as a crystal, flowing 

 over a bed of pebbles and sand- It rises up near the sources 

 of the Connecticut in the northern part of the State, and 

 along its banks is some of the best land for farming to be 

 found in New Hampshire. Here we found an abundance of 

 fish (although the stream was low, and fish were not as 

 plenty as usual), and our table was abundantly supplied with 

 trout, ducks and partridges, that became victims for our 

 sport and sustenance. Here M. left us. His " pard," after 

 a short season of mourning, took up with another fellow, 

 and the rest of the party remained for the week and found 

 what we were in search of— sport, health and happiness. 



As for mo, I had learned how to cast without my partner's 

 line becoming entangled with mine; I had caught my de- 

 luded victim with a By ; I had added one to my accomplish- 

 ments ; in fact, the cream had " riz," and lly fishing was the 

 cream of nil fishing. 



We lsft our camping-ground among the mountains, forest 

 and streams, with regret, resolving that if we were alive we 

 should be back in 79 to renew our youth and our acquaint- 

 ance with Nature as we found it up the Megalloway. 



There was a little adventure awaiting us at North Strat- 

 ford, where we were to take the cars for home. We were 

 met by a sheriff, who held a warrant for our arrest for ille- 

 gal fishing. G. aud I took it coolly enough, in fact supposed 

 it was all regular, and a little surprise held in store for us 

 by the Doctor and O.. who must, of course, be posted in all 

 things relating to the trip; but no, it was a surprise to them. 

 The Doctor, a pillar of church and state, and withal a firm 

 believer in a strict enforcement of the fish and game laws, 

 was dumbfounded. O. was at hrs wit's end for some way 

 in which to dispose of a box full of "silent witnesses," 

 which he had carefully packed in moss to carry home as 

 trophies of our prowess. We rose to explain. The sheriff 

 eyed us with suspicion. He of course must discharge his 

 duties, and we were strangers. Oh! if we were only de- 

 faulting cashiers, notorious burglars, or Congressmen even, 

 he would know us ; but we were only honest fishermen, and 

 the fates seemed to be against us. Luckily the Doctor had 

 been one of the committee appointed by the Governor the 

 summer before, to revise the fish and game laws of the state, 

 and knew that the open season for trout had been extended 

 from October 1 till the 15th, and during which time we had 

 fished. The revised laws had not at that time been published, 

 and the party who had complained of us was not aware of 

 the fact of the change in the law. We waxed wroth. We 

 had no desire to spend the Sabbath in Colebrook — not but 

 what Colebrook is a fine town and possesses many attrac- 

 tions to the tourist, and all that sort of thing — but we wanted 

 to go home. Our wives wcw uo doubt anxiously looking for 

 us. Perhaps the children were cr, tug for us. We were 

 homesick. I overheard the Doctor whistling " Home, Sweet 

 Home," and 0. was humming, " I Can't Stay iu the Wilder- 

 ness," while O. was addressing the sheriff and the devil alter- 

 nately. The sheriff at length, on the strength of the Doc- 

 tor's statement and our assurance that we would come back 

 like little lambs if it was found that we were wrong, let us 

 go on our way rejoicing. 



We propose inviting a legal gentleman to go with us on 

 our next trip, for his pleasure and our protection. 



G. and 1 consider ourselves tly-fishermen, for have we uot 

 been duly and officially warranted as such:' Webb. 



Far Forest and Stream and Rod and Gun. 



CHETOPA, 



i, ( f"*HETOPA !" shouted the conductor, and I awoke with 

 V—- a start. Seizing my numerous packages I bundled out 

 of the car and found I had arrived at the Mecca of my jour- 

 ney, at three o'clock in the morning, Nov. 3, 1877. I had 

 been silting bolt upright nearly all night in an emigrant car 

 crowded with Indians and half-breeds en-route to the " Na- 

 tion " and emigrants bound for Texas, and was driven nearly 

 to distraction by the shrill w T ailings of innumerable infants re- 

 fusing to be comforted. Near the end of my journey, how- 

 ever, I had dropped asleep, lulled by the steady monotonous 

 snoring of the weary passengers, Bleeping in every conceivable 

 attitude of discomfort. Ever and anon the brakemau, fiend 

 of the emigrant train, filled the already red-hot stove with fuel, 

 sending out blasts of heat as from the realms of Tartarus. 

 The change from such a temperature to the cool prairie breeze 

 was delightful. The morning was very dark, and in the south- 

 ern horizon I discovered a lurid glare from the prairie fires, 

 far down in the " Nation." I found an omnibus waiting, and 

 myself the only passenger. I was driven rapidly to the Na- 

 tional Hotel, and was soon i a bed and fast asleep. Three 

 hours later I awoke, and looking out of my window ol 

 my first view of Chetopa, To the North, West and South 

 open rolling prairie. East of the town the Neosho River, well 

 wooded along its banks. After breakfast I unpacked my traps 



and started for an all- day tramp. Crossed the Neosho and 

 wandered down the oast bank, now and then leaving the 

 river to visit the prairie sloughs to get a shot at the ducks con- 

 gregated therein. Returned at night weighed down with a 

 mixed bag of ducks, teal, mallard, blue bills, etc., and well 

 fagged. The next day I made arrangements for a horse war- 

 ranted to stand fire and rode out west from the town. Soon 

 marked down a mallard in a little slough, and keeping low in 

 the saddle I rode within shooting distance. The bird rose, 

 and immediately after firing I also rose (from the saddle) and 

 upon my return found myself astride the animal's neck. 1 

 immediately made another aerial ascent, this time lauding 

 upon that part of the quadruped immediately behind the sad- 

 dle usually occupied by circus riders. This little performance 

 was repeated several times during the day, and although I 

 bagged^a fair number of birds, the greater part of the rime 

 was spent in private exhibitions of equestrian skill and in 

 reasoning with the horse. Several days were spent in excur- 

 sions south from Chetopa with 0., a noted shot of Chetopa, 

 who furnished a horse, light wagon and well trained dogs. 

 Beaching the grounds at about 11 a. m., the dogs were sent 

 out, and until three o'clock the grouse generally lie well in the 

 soft, curly prairie grass. After that hour they betake them- 

 selves to the cornfields to feed, where it is impossible to shoot 

 with any degree of satisfaction, the dogs being out of sight 

 most; of the time. We found the birds very wild on cold , sun- 

 lass days, rising before the dogs several gunshots off. The 

 balance of the aflernoou was spent in picking up a mixed bag 

 of ducks and quail. On one of our excursions while riding 

 along, we marked down a large bunch of mallard in a little 

 slough surrounded by small trees and brush. Leaving the 

 horse tied to a bush and the dogs at down charge, we care- 

 fully crept onward and were soon concealed in the brush 

 within easy range of the birds. There they floated serenely 

 upon the water, the rich green necks of the drakes glistening 

 in the sunlight. A slight movement disturbed them, and as 

 they rose a confused mass of wings and bodies we poured 

 four barrels into them in quick succession. When the smoke 

 cleared away not a victim was to be seen. 0. stood rooted to 

 the spot watching them as they passed from our view. 

 ." Tho' lost to Bight to memory dear." 



I shall never forget the mingled expression of horror and 

 disgust depicted on C.'a countenance as he took me by the 

 arm and hurried me from the scene. We clambered into the 

 wagon, and, pale and trembling, drove with all possible 

 speed from the spot, C. in the meantime firing off volley after 

 volley of the choicest Kansas swear words. On the morning 

 of the 12th, Col. H., an English gentleman spending a few 

 weeks in Chetopa shooting, and B., a Chelopian, in one 

 wagon, and C. and myself in another, started for a three days' 

 trip down into the Nation. To an Eastern man, accustomed 

 to shooting in tangled brush or cooting off the rugged New 

 England coast, a change to the breezy Western prairies 

 is delightful. TJnconfined space in every direction. The far 

 distant waves of the prairie assume at times a beautiful tint, 

 and seemingly meet the azure sky above. The air is clear 

 and exhilarating. We drove merrily along, stopping now 

 and then to beat over likely looking ground. During the af- 

 ternoon the Colonel distinguished himself by letting drive 

 both barrels at a brace of mallards that rose suddenly from a 

 little slough, missing them entirely, and knocking over a 

 diminutive teal that was following them some distance in the 

 rear. This feat was hailed with delight by B., great rivalry 

 existing between the worthy pair and O. and myself. 



Night overtook us near Little Cabin Creek, and our camp 

 was made in the timber upon its banks. A mixed stew of 

 duck, grouse and squirrels was concocted. At the " witching 

 hour of night, when church-yards yawn and graves give up 

 their dead/' I awoke and discovered the Colonel sitting by 

 the fire and devouring the remains of the above mentioned 

 stew, and in order to save a portion of it I joined him in his 

 repast. 



The next morning dawned bright and beautiful, and after 

 breakfast we drove leisurely along over the prairie, occasion- 

 ally picking up a duck or grouse, and toward noon bouncing 

 a deer from the long grass, but to far off to shoot. That 

 night we camped on a little run near the farm of a Cherokee, 

 who furnished us with corn for our horses. While supper 

 was being prepared the Colonel and I started a covey of quail 

 near camp, and in less than an hour we secured several brace, 

 While we were eating supper, one of the dogs, an ancient 

 pointer, stole away from the tiro, and in a short lime I heard 

 him Hush a bird, which I knew at once by its twitter to be a 

 woodcock, Although quite dusk, I flushed him again, and 

 by a quick snap-shot bagged him. I was told that the bird 

 was a rarity in that locality. 



Our sport of the following day partook of the character of 

 that of the previous days, and at 6 v. m. we arrived at Che- 

 topa, our expedition ended, and at 11 took the sleeper bound 

 East, after bidding farewell to many kind friends made dur- 

 ing my stay. Mbkeust. 



—The annual recurrence of the Passaic Biver, N. J. , fish 

 epidemics is of sufficient importance to demand official inves- 

 tigation by the authorities. The shores of the river near 

 Paterson and those of Dundee Lake are strewn with decay- 

 ing fish. It is surmised that the water i3 poisoned by the 

 dye-stuffs used in the Paterson silk mills. 



Disbasb among Scotch Salmon.— We regret to learn 

 through our contemporary, the London Nature, that the 

 disease which broke out last year among the Solway salmon 

 has reappeared this season in the Solway and in the Tweed 

 as well. 



Mr. Sterling, of the Edinburgh Anatomical Museum, who 

 has examined into the subject, finds this trouble to be caused 

 by a branching fungus (Saprolegnia ferax), which first at- 

 tacks the scaleless portions of the fish, hut soon spreads over 

 the whole body. So far, we are happy to say, disease has 

 not appeared north of the Tweed. 



Sir Robert Christison has recommended the appointment 

 of a Royal Commission to examine this subject, and ad- 

 vises the careful watohing of all trout and salmon streams, 

 whether known to be affected or not. 



at Province town, .v. 

 extremity of Cape Cod- Thewoii 



the middle of July. The leading feature bf the sunimer'u 

 work will be the investigation of tho natural kistory of the 

 cod, mackerel, halibut, herring, and the other pricr ■ 

 fishes, as well as the history and statistics of the coast 

 fisheries. A new feature of the work will be a thorough 

 reconnoisance of the coast by experienced specialists, who 

 will visit every seaboard town for the purpose of gathering 

 accurate information regarding the fisheries. Investiga- 

 tions of the temperature of the ocean at various stations from 

 Maine to Texas is now being carried on, with the co-opera- 

 tion of the Signal Office and Light-house Boards. Vessels 

 of the St. Lawrence mackerel fleet, the Grand Bank cod 

 fleet, and the Greenland halibut fleet, are to carry repre- 

 sentatives of the Commission. 



Tub Range ot tub Shad.— The man who said that the shad 

 was made with the refuse bones after all other fishes had been 

 provided for must have had a fish-bone in his throat at the 

 time. Pew will follow him in reflecting upon the excellencies of 

 this fish ; we cannot in this world have everything in perfection 

 —all sweet and no sour, all fish aud no bones. There is reason 

 to believe that the shad will speedily increase and multiply in 

 many waters where now they are unknown. The success of 

 shad culture in the Ouachita River, La., to which we advert- 

 ed recently, has fired the Southern heart — or, at least, that 

 particular part of the Southern heart represented by the New 

 Orleans Times— to foresee the gloriou3 future when the Pearl, 

 the Tchefuncta (To pronounce this correctly you must sneezejL 

 the Natalbany, the Tangipahoa, the Amity and the Bogue 

 Faliah, with the other pure and sweet rivers of the Pelican 

 State, shall teem with the toothsome Aim, and the gladsome 

 sound of the fish-horn shall be heard iu the streets of eveiy 

 city, town and hamlet in the land. There is nothing vision- 

 ary about this; no good reason exists why shad should not be 

 as cheap in Louisiana a few years from now as they are 

 to-day on the wharves of Wechawken, where the North 

 River fisherman lauds his nets. The. success of the Ouachita 

 experiment gives abundant earnest of what further prosecu- 

 tion of the work will accomplish. The only thing necessary 

 is a moderate degree of intelligent activity on the part of tho 

 Louisiana and Arkansas officials. By the way, some of the 

 most wideawake men down there are the State Fisji Commis- 

 sioners. 



Notes from the Fish Commission.— Mr. B. B. Redding, 

 under date of San Francisco, Gal., May 24, writes to Prof. 

 Spencer F. Baird -. 



b'roxa 50 to 120 shad are now being brought to lhe market 

 everyday. They are becoming so numerous that they are 

 regularly reported in the market report?, the market price 

 for the past week being 75 cents per pons 



Under date of May 30; 



Salmon were never more plenty in the Sacramento fii reu 

 than now. It is not infrequent that, as inaoy as 800 are 

 taken iu one haul of a single seine. Salmon weighing from 

 20 to 35 pounds are now selling in this market for ga penis 

 apiece. The annual hatching of two millions and turning 

 them into the river is producing a legitimate result. We are 

 beating the sea lions, the canning establishments and the 

 fishermen. Tours, etc., B, B. R 



<\ A Question for Trout Breedebs. — The bad effects of 

 overcrowding hatching-troughs with young trout fry have 

 long ago been noted by experienced fishcullurisls. The 

 water being necessarily breathed over again and again, be- 

 comes vitiated, disease is almost inevitable, and when it does 

 come the foulness of the water affords a, fatal medium for the 

 rapid spread of the epidemic. Commenting upon the recent 

 mortality of the Wisconsin trout fry, Mr. A. Palmer, cf Bos- 

 cobel, a fishcullurist of large experience, after commending 

 the skill and carefulness of Mr. Sam'l Welcher, says : 



Do not Seth Green and others, who have been accustomed 

 to hatching tens of millions of whiletish aud shad eggs, over- 

 do it when they attempt the same with trout ? Will tho lat- 

 ter stand the crowding? 1 can hatch, in a trough ttvo feet 

 wide and twelve feet long (this is as long as a Trough ever 

 should be, as the life-giving properties of the water will be 

 taken out against the end is reached), twenty to thirty thousand 

 healthy trout fry that I would not give an insurance company 

 the tenth part of one per cent, to insure me the raising o'f 

 ninety per cent. Now, so far as private breeders are con- 

 cerned, there are few that have water to raise half that num- 

 ber to eating size, and they can never be made a public fish, 

 or fish for the public. If more are wanted, put iu more 

 troughs, if you have the water. I have been selling eggs for 

 over ten years, and don't know of a single instance where my 

 directions in hatching and feeding the fry have been ioi- 

 lowed, but a reasonable degree of success has attended the 

 venture. Would like to know through Forest and Stream 

 if any trout breeder has succeeded in hatching with the 

 Brackett trays or Holton box a healthy lot of fry— say, of 

 which he raised fifty per cent ? 



United Status Fish Commission.— The summer head- 

 quarters of the U, S. Fish Commission will tliia year be fixed 



The Coke of Poison Qk&Sditor Forest and Stream : 

 Take caustic potash ten grains, pure water one ounce ; mix, 

 apply with sponge or rag, and rub until it smarts considerably; 

 then wash off. If one or more spots of it appear afterward, 

 retouch them. H the skin gets very dry after its use any 

 simple ointment or oil will aid you. The caustic potash 

 comes in white sticks, and is simply the put est form of pot- 

 ash. The water should be pure j impurities might form com 

 blnations with the potash and render it inert, or partially so. 

 The application leaves no scar or blemish after a day or so, 

 anil is very slightly painful, not more so than salt aud water 

 would be. Have suffered severely myself, and had my 

 children in same condition Beveral times from taking egga 

 and nests while collecting from a mass of the vines of bush, 

 as it happens to grow, and never have failed to cure. 



Ekhmond, ?«•, May 27, 1879, Russell Robinson, 



