FOREST AND STREAM. 



279 



Paris Ind., two straight games. The games were four- 

 hall and the score of Ihe first was 1,000 to 372, and that of 

 the 'second 1,000 to 520. . . .Eugene B. Kimball is at West- 

 fall & Banker's, Rochester, 1ST . Y. , practicing assiduously 



for the tournament to be held in that city At the Bay 



State Billiard Rooms, Worcester, Mass. , Manfred E. Gould 

 and John Brooks lately contended for $50 at the American 

 game, 1,000 points up. Gould won the game by 85 points, 

 with an average of 21.31, while Brooks' average was 19.46. 

 Best run for Gould, 114; for Brooks, 162. Referee, Byron 

 f, Hill. Time of game, 2 hours 15 minutes. 



— ♦ — > 



QUOTATIONS EROM C. G. GUNTHER'S SONS. 



BE \R— Northern, according to size and quality, prime $10 00a$15 00 



Southern and Northern yearlings, prime. 5 00 a 10 00 



BEAVER— Northern, per skin, parchment, according to 



size and color ... 2 50 a 3 50 



Western, according to size and co;or, prime 1 50 a 2 50 



Southern, and ordinary, per skin, according to size, 



prime 050a 100 



BADGER— Prime 20 a 50 



CAT— Wild, Northern and Eastern States, cased, prime.. . 50 a 60 



Wild, Southern and Western, prime 40 a 50 



House, ordinary, if large, prime 05 a 08 



House, black, furred, prime 15 a 25 



FISHER— Northern and Eastern, according to size and 



color, prime. . , , 7 00 a 12 00 



Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Western, ditto, prime 5 00 a 8 00 



Southern, ditto, prime ; 3 00 a 5 00 



FOX- -Silver, ditto .prime 15 00 a 50 00 



Cross, Northern and Eastern, ditto, prime 3 00 a 5 00 



Ked, Northern and Eastern, ditto, prime 150 a 165 



Red, S. Penn., N. J., and N. Ohio, ditto prime 1 25 a 1 50 



Eed, Southern a&d Western, ditto, prime 75 a 1 00 



Grey, Noithern and Eastern, cased, ditto, prime 75 a 1 00 



Grey, Southern and Western, ditto, prime 50 a 60 



Grey, Southern and Western, ditto, open, prime 40 a 50 



Kitt, ditto, prime 30 a 50 



LYNX— Ditro, prime 100 a 2 00 



MARTIN— States, ditto, prime... 1 50 a 2 00 



MINK— New York and New England, ditto, prime 3 00 a 4 00 



Canada, Michigan, and Minnesota, ditto, prime, 2 00 a 3 00 



S. New York, N. J., Penn., and Ohio, ditto, prime. . 1 00 a 1 50 



Md M Va., Ky„ Ind., Wis., and Iowa, ditto, prime. . . 75 a 1 25 



Missouri, and all Southern, ditto, prime 50 a 75 



MUSKEA.T-N. New York, and Eastern, Spring i bO a 00 



Western, including Penn. and Ohio, Spring 00 a 00 



Northern and Eastern, Fall and Winter 23 a 25 



Western, including Penn. and Ohio, Winter 20 a 23 



Southern, prime 15 a 20 



Soul hern, Winter and Fall.. 12 a 15 



OTTER— Northern, Eastern, and Northwestern, according 



to size and color, prime 10 00 a 12 00 



Penn., N . J. , Ohio, and Western, prime 8 00 a 10 0-) 



Ky., Md., Na., Kansas, and vicinity, prune 6 00 a 8 00 



North Carolina, prime 4 00 a 6 00 



South Carolina and- Georgia, prime. 2 00 a 4 00 



OPOSSUM— Northern, cased, prime 18 a 30 



Southern and open Northern, prime 12 a 15 



RACCOON- -Mich., N. Ind., N. Ohio, Indian handled, 



dark, according to size and color, prime 80 a 1 00 



111.. Iowa, Wis., and Minn., prime 50 a 65 



New Yoikand Eastern States andN. Peon., prime. . 65 a 75 



N. J., S. renn., 111., Mo., Neb. and Kan., prime... 40 a 50 



Maryland, Virginia, Kentucky and Tenn., prime 30 a 40 



N. and S. Oar., Ga.. Ark., Florida and Ala., prime. 15 a 25 



EABBITS-Prime cased 02 a ^ 03 



SKUNKS -Prime black, I., cased 00 a 130 



Prime black, I., open 00 a 100 



Prime black, i white streak, II., cased 00 a 80 



Prime black, \ white streak, II., open 00 a 50 



Prime whole streaked III. and IV 15 a 20 



Prime scabs ■ 00 a 03 



WOLF SKINS— Mountain, large. 2 00 a 3 00 



Prairie, average age, prime skins 75 a 1 25 



f3F There will be no change in our fur-quotations until the middle of 



January . 



*. 



Furs and Trapping.— Ottawa advices of the 1st inst. 

 say: The fur market is unprecedentedly dull this season, 

 acd prime skins are uncommonly scarce. One of our 

 largest city dealers says he has seen but one bear skin and 

 two beaver skins in seven weeks. The prices are un- 

 altered. 



Changes in the Skin of Fur-bearing Animals. — The 

 obvious difference between the fur Of animals in summer 

 and in winter is found by Donhoff to be associated with 

 an equally striking difference in the texture and thickness 

 of their skin. Thus, the average weight of an ox-hide in 

 winter is seventy pounds; in summer, fifty-five pounds; 

 the hair in winter weighs about two pounds, and in sum- 

 mer about one pound; leaving fourteen pounds to be ac- 

 counted for by the proper substance of the skin. These 

 differences are quite as decided in fcetal animals as in 

 adults. Calves born in winter have a longer and thicker 

 coat than those born in summer; moreover, there is a dif- 

 ference of more than a pound in the weight of their skins 

 after the hair has been removed. Similar facts may be 

 observed in the case of goats and sheep. That these dif- 

 ferences are not to be ascribed to any corresponding change 

 in the diet and regimen of the parent animals, is proved 

 by the fact that they are equally manifest in the young of 

 individuals kept under cover, and on the same food all the 

 year round .— Popular Science Monthly. 



— And now the Canadian trappers say the winter will be 

 mild, because the muskrats have not built their houses 

 yet, and the beavers have laid in only a very small stock of 

 their usual provisions. These animals are an invariable 

 almanac . 



The Nottoway Beavers. — A note from Mr. Kewhouse, 

 of the Oneida Community, dated Poplar Mount, Greenville 

 county, Virginia, says: "I have just got started in ^my 

 trapping business, and will send yeu some account for 

 your paper before long." Mr. Newhouse, it will be re- 

 membered, started last month for that section of Virginia 

 that is suffering from the depredations of beavers, taking 

 traps enough to clean out the colony. 

 , Funs and Feathers. — The question of furs has resolved 

 Jtself nearly into a question of trimmings. The introduc- 

 tion of fur trimmings actually threatens to kill the fur 

 trade. The reason is this: Fashion insists upon harmony 

 between the different parts of the costume. It is conveni- 

 ent to have a fur-trimmed cloak or jacket, but it is not 

 convenient to pay the price for minE: or sable, or black 

 martin trimming to match the "sett," which we already 

 wear. What is to be done? Perhaps new furs are required 

 &8 well as a new jacket, and immediately an idea strikes 

 the thrifty mind of the ingenious modern woman. She 

 w ul make jacket, or winter suit and muff, out of the same 

 g&th, and trim them both with the same fur. This method 

 w ul enable her 'to use a much cheaper fur as trimming, 

 ^ the necessity for a new suit, a most important 



item of expenditure. Moreover, when the fashion has 

 gone, they can go with it, and nobody hurt'. 



The new silk paletots, which are almost invariably lined 

 or trimmed with fur, have especially suggested this solu- 

 tion to many a difficulty. Silk is not any more expensive 

 than good cloth; a flannel lining, edged with fur, is" cheap, 

 better than fur on many accounts, and just as effective, 

 make a muff to match with an edging of fur and a 

 band of it, the same in shade but of better quality, round 

 the centre, and the outfit, with the exception of the boa, 

 is complete. Black velvet is beautifully utilized in this 

 way, in fact, the cost of a really handsome set of furs goes 

 a greist way towards providing a complete velvet suit. 



These fashions in furs, in color and kind, rather than 

 in styles, have changed so within the past few years as to 

 produce a feeling of uncertainty very unfavorable to a 

 steady, popular trade. There was a time when a set of 

 mink was sine qua non of the average woman's existence. 

 The business reputation of a husband who could not afford 

 his wife a set of mink was compromised, while their pos- 

 session was the indubitable evidence of a certain standing 

 and respectability. Since the decline of mink no other 

 fur has reached or occupied the same position. The di- 

 versity is so great that it has become a mere matter of 

 taste, and as few can tell the difference between the real 

 and the imitations, or know, indeed, the names of the al- 

 most infinite varieties which they see about them, they 

 shut their eyes and buy that which suits the condition of 

 their purse, since society no longer imposes any special 

 obligation upon them in this direction. 



Feather trimmings divide the honor with the fur, and 

 this again impairs the prospects of the fur fanciers. 



Worse still, it is the more expensive and profitable class 

 of trade that they cut into. Feather trimmings cannot be 

 imitited; they require hand-labor and care in their pre- 

 paration. All this makes them prized and sought for. 

 Feather trimmings are newer also than fur, much more 

 varied, and adapted, therefore, to a great diversity of 

 fabrics. The tints and shades and prismatic hues blend 

 with the colors of fabrics, and match the ornaments of 

 the hat, perhaps even the composition of the fan. There 

 is no end to the uses to which the soft, delicate or brilliant 

 plumage of birds can be put, and ladies who can afford 

 to preserve the unities in this costly way, find their ex- 

 cuse iu the exquisite results. — Cor. Hartford Times. 



MAGAZINES. 



The Galaxy. The December number- of this popu- 

 lar magazine opens with a new serial from the pen of Miss Anuie 

 T. Howells, entitled "Reuben Dale," a pleasant story of American life, 

 which promises to be of equal merit with similar serials before pro- 

 duced. Mr. Justin McCarthy's story, "Dear Lady Disdain." is contin- 

 ued, and approaches a denouement. Mr. Willie Winter contributes a 

 fair share of the poetry in "Itclics," and Mr. A. II. Guernsey gives us an 

 insight into the life and times of Walter Savage Landor. Richard Grant 

 White, the irrepressible, spite of a recent severe illness, attacks us 

 with another jaw-breaker— "Cynicasterism, an Egotistical Dissertation 

 Concerning Dog's Tails"' — why not foxes? The fellow in the fable was 

 equally anxious to set a fashion. Henry James, Jr., describes the great 

 French novelist, Houore de Balzac, and Mr. Albert Rhodes discourse th 

 of "The Marriage Question." The Scientific Miscellany is valuable, 

 and the Drift Wood brilliant. 



Scribnefs for December opens with an interesting illus- 

 trated article by Charles Stuart Welles, entitled "The Tour of the Nile." 

 Dr. Holland's story of "Sevenoaks" is concluded, and Mr. Bret Harte's 

 new serial, "Gabriel Conroy," is continued and rather increases in inter- 

 est. Mr. Noah Brooks contributes an article on Japanese Pictures, in 

 which the subject of perspective, as applied to antipodeau art, is ably 

 dif-cussed. The present issue is well supplied with poetical articles, 

 among them one by John Boyle O'Reilly, entitled "The Last of the 

 Norwhale." The table of contents is lengthy and varied, and the edito- 

 rial departments well fillet with Useful nii.scellany. Smidner's well main- 

 tains its high reputation as a leading American magazine. 



The American Agriculturist. This valuable monthly pub- 

 lication completes its 3-ith yo'ume with the December number. To 

 f aimers, it is one of the most useful periodicals printed, and without 

 doubt scands at the bead of journals of its class. To sportsmen and 

 naturalists, as well as to the more general reader, it-gives much valua- 

 ble information of a practical kind. It is always profusely illustrated, 

 ana being furnished at the low price of $1.(50 per annum, comes within 

 reach of persons of most moderate means. The Agriculturist has pre- 

 pared a formal editorial notice of its new volume for the use of those 

 editors exchanging with it wno are too lazy to write a good one for it, 

 which we think is very considerate. It very properly regards itself 

 "worthy of even a fourth the attention usually given to the higher priced 

 but not more costly magazines." This exception we consider as very 

 well taken. It seems to be the set custom on the part of nearly all 

 newspapers to advertise gratuitously, and with most fulsome commenda- 

 tion, each issue of the Monthly magazines and some two or three fa- 

 vored weeklies, without regard to the intrinsic value of their contents. 

 Woodcuts and sentimental stories present more attractions to favorable 

 notice than the more substantial pabulum furnished in the agricultural 

 and scientific papers, and others affording a constant supply of more in- 

 structive material. 



The American Naturalist, formerly published by the Pea- 

 body Academy of. Science, has passed into the hands, as publishers at 

 least, of Messrs. H. O.Houghton & Co.,;of Boston, to whom subscrip- 

 tions' for Vol. X, whicli commences with the new year, should be sent. 

 The November issue, which is just at hand, is devoted largely to two 

 papers, the first, the address of Prof. H. A. Newton to the members of 

 the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the 

 other, an illustrated paper by Dr. A. S. Packard, on the "Life -Histories 

 of the Crustacea and Insects." 



* — . 



No Notice Taken of Anonvmous Communications. 



* - 



Cochin, Haverstraw.— Tobacco stems mixed with a little hay, and 

 placed in the laying boxes, is said to be an excellent cure for lice on 

 fowls. 



^ g. C.— Will you tell me of some party who change Colt's army or 

 navy pistols, old style, loose ammunition, so as to'be used with metallic 

 cartridges? Ans. George Hayden, 143 Fulton street, New York. 



A. H. S., Mar3hsll, Tex.— Be kind enough to give me the London ad- 

 dress of the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News? Ans. No. 198 

 Strand, London, W. C. 



C. F., Lyndonville, Vt.— I wish to learn where the "Standard" revol- 

 vers are manufactured! If you know would you be kind enough to in- 

 form me? Ans. They are made at New Haven and sold at the gun 

 stores advertising in our columns. 



II. J. Titusville.— A.t a pigeon match shot under the rule where a cap 

 does no'o explode shooter is entitled to another bird, one of the contest- 

 ants mhsed fire, but shell proved to have no shot, bnt had powder. Was 

 he entitled to another bird? Ans. The shooter should have another 

 bird. 



E. D. S., Philadelphia — T have a setter pup eight months old, anfi for 



the last few days he has been unwell, refuses food, seems dull and mo- 

 py, has diarrhea, and think he may have worms. Can you tell from this 

 description what ails him, and, inform me how to treat him. He has had 

 distemper. Ans. Give him the powdered areca nut we have mailed to 

 you, with directions for its use. 



W., Hollidaysburg, Pa.— I have a setter 26 inches high and 29 inches 

 around the chest, not fat. Do pure dogs grow so large? He is from En- 

 glish stock, nearly all white, with orange ears, hair 6 inches on tail and 

 haunches; about 10 months old; learns very rapidly, but is rather head- 

 strong in the field. 2d. Where can I find quail in Central Pennsylvania? 

 Ans. 1st. Occasionally pure bred setters get to be as "large as your do?, 

 Mr. Colburn's Dash is 27 inches high. 2d. In York and Juniatta coun- 

 ties. 



York, Pa.— 1st. What is a choke bore gnu, and how does it differ from 

 the old way of boring? 2d. Where can I obtain rules governing dog 

 shows, and is there any standard by which judges are guided in their 

 duties? Ans. 1st. Choke boring, we are informed, is done by enlarging 

 barrel eight or ten inches below the muzzle and contracting it near the 

 muzzle. 2d. For rules governing bench show of dogs, address J. H. 

 Whitman, Esq., Chicago, 111. 



G. W. P., Gloucester.— 1st. What are shot concentrators and how 

 are they used in the gun, or how do you load a gun with them? What 

 do you think of them; are they an advantage in shooting, or not? 2d„ 

 Which do you think the best gun, a $50 muzzle or a $50 breech loader? 

 Ans. 1st. Concentrators are small cylinders of paper open at both ends, 

 fitting inside of the shell around the shot. Many sportsmen think well 

 of them. Our experience with all concentrators is rather unfavorable, 

 having found them irregular in th jir operation ," 2d . A $50 breech loader. 



W. C, Racine, Wis.— Please tell me the way, if there is any, to tell a 

 full blood pointer or setter. 3d. What is the distance for shooting chick- 

 ens in a match with a shot gun? 3d. How heavy should' a gun be loaded 

 for shooting chickens in. a match, the bore of the gun being No. 15, 

 muzzle loader? Ans. 1st. There is no certain way to tell if apointeris 

 pure blood by his appearance. We have seen a cross of pointer and 

 hound, and also of pointer and bull terrier, with all the points of a pure 

 bred pointer. 2d. Any distance agreed to; 40 to 60 yards its common. 3d. 

 Use 3 drachms of powder and 1 oz. No. 7 shot. 



Nimhod, Newton, Mass.— Through your paper I want to thank "T." 

 for the report of the trial of his Greener's choke bore, which was very 

 satisfactory. And now I have a question or two to ask concerning the 

 construction of the ice-boats on the Hudson. I had a boat made last 

 year, and owing to some fault in the runners it did'nt sail. Will you 

 please tell me how the runners and rudder are made, and how the edge 

 is ground? 2d. How is the mast secured? Ans. The runners and rud- 

 ders of ice boats are generally shipped on pivots in the centre, to enable 

 them to pass with ease over obstructions. The angle of the runner, 

 which is of steel, is sharpened, and it is on this that the boat runs. The 

 mast is placed in a step and stayed with wire shrouds. 



P. W., Worcester, Mass.— How can I break my dog of running in 

 when a bird is flushed? I have a good pointer, fifteen months old, works 

 well, and stands his game well, but when a bird is flushed he will run in 

 and chase it if you do not kill it, and if you do kill the bird he will fetch 

 it to you before you have time to reload. Ans. No dog will break shot 

 if he i i skillfully handled and properly punished for the fault. Your 

 best way is to nunt your dog with a short check cord, and when he comes 

 to a point let a companion shoot while you hold the cord, and the instant 

 he starts bring him back with a sharp jerk, and make him down charge 

 until the gun is reloaded and until he is ordered to fetch dead. A few 

 rough turns with the check cord may be enough. We have found, too, 

 that with a three-foot rawhide any dog can be broken of any fault if it 

 is judiciously applied. The trouble aiises very often from the fact that 

 many shooters rush for the bird the instant it falls, thus setting the dog 

 a bad example, which he very naturally follows, and of which it is diffi- 

 cult to break him. 



S. H. H.— A friend of mine and myself have had a disagreement as to 

 whether the length of the barrel of a rifle increases the range. I main- 

 tained that the length of barrel increased the range up to a certain 

 length, and after that length was attained each inch added to the bar- 

 rel proporti cm ately decreased the range of the rifle. Also inform me at 

 what length of barrel a rifle shoots the farthest. I think it is about 36 

 inches, but don't know exactly? Ans. The length of the barrel de- 

 pends entirely upon the charge of powder used. The great principal of 

 the barrel, aside from ths idea of an apparatus for giving an accurate 

 flight to the projectile is, it shall be in such proper proportion as to al- 

 low of all the powder to be consumed. The more powder used, then the 

 more barrel. After the proper proportion of barrel to powder is ascer- 

 tained, any additional length would be rather detrimental than other- 

 wise, increasing friction, and consequently retarding the force of the 

 ball. No positive length of barrel con Id be fixed as a limit. Modern 

 rifle practice, with its decided tendency towards extreme ranges, is con- 

 stantly augmenting the quantity of powder, and may, therefore, increase 

 length of barrel. Thirty-four inches is about the extreme length of bar- 

 rel now used. 



J. C. B. and Shooter.— Some time ago we received a photograph of 

 a rifleman in the act of firing. It represented the marksman in a reclin- 

 ing position, the face to the right, the left arm and hand parallel with the 

 gun, clutching the butt, the right hand over the gun drawing the trigger. 

 What was novel about the picture was the use of the strap or leather 

 string of the piece, which was attached to the trigger guard. The strap 

 or sling was apparently, in the picture, held taut by the foot of the left 

 leg— at least it seemed so to us, though photograph does not include the 

 muzzle of the rifle. In the question sent us by J. C. B., whether this 

 was in order in match shooting, taking the practice of the N. R. A. , we 

 incline to the negative, never having seen it used. (See issue of Nov. 11 

 in Answers to Correspondents, *'J. C. B. ") We have received from our 

 friend "Shooter," of Canada, the following: "Are you not mistaken in 

 your answer to "J. C. B., Secretary A . R. R.," inquiring .'can a strap 

 be used in any way in shooting according to the rules of the N. R. A.1* 

 You must know that nearly all military rifles have straps (or slings, 

 which is the same thing,) attached to them. Consequently I do not see 

 how any association could legally prevent any competitor from using 

 them to the best advantage, being a bona fide part of the rifle. I know 

 that they are commonly used on sporting rifles at Wimbledon, and also 

 on military rifles, and I don't know of any clause against using them in 

 the rules of the N. R. A. Will you please to give your authority in 



your next issue?"— Shooter. 



As the question is put to us by "Shooter," whose skill with the rifle is 

 only equalled by his knowledje of the rules governing its use, we con- 

 sulted an officer of the N.Ti. A. (submitting the photograph to him) 

 whom we deem to be about the highest authority on this subject, and 

 have received the following reply: "In the case of a military or other 

 rifle having a sling, there would be no objection to twisting it around 

 the arm or knee in firing. In Russell on "Rifle Practice" mention is 

 made of a well known shot, who fired while sitting with the sling of his 

 rifle around his left arm and knee. Still, the sling must be used as a 

 sling only, and as attached to the rifle. To use a Creedmoor rifle not 

 made for a sling when firing lying down, by attaching a strap to the 

 trigger guard, and passing a loop at the other end on the foot, as shown 

 in the photograph, is not using it as a sling, but as an entirely distinct 

 apparatus, equivalent to an artificial rest. I do not think it would be al- 

 lowed at Creedmoor." We should be very glad to have further ideas on 

 this subject, and would like to have from our readers some short com- 

 ments made in regard to using slings, or how they may be employed in 

 rifle practice. Of course a nian may wrap the sling around his leg or 

 arm; but can he stretch it between his leg and arm, or hand or fooC so 

 as to receive an additional support or brace from it? 'Military arms have 

 ramrods; could they be used in any way? They are integral parts of the 

 arm, and by stretching a point could be made to serve the same purpose 

 as the old-fashioned/owfc^, or fork, early arquetmsiess used, which \\ :m 

 an artificial rest. 



