

FOREST AND STREAM. 



371 



struck the former in the shoulder. She was staggered, but 

 not killed, so that another bullet sped on its fatal errand 

 and rolled her over lifeless. By this time the calf was 

 thoroughly demoralized, and, with his white flag hoisted 

 was streaking it along at his best pace, only asking to be 

 let alone, and had gone so far that he was hidden from P. 

 Tby a clump of bushes. F. ran a short distance toward the 

 dead buck, and again caught sight of the calf, which was 

 going straight as an arrow towards the point whither Ike 

 had come. He was waiting to give it a warm reception 

 when, to his astonishment, he saw F. rush out from be- 

 hind the intervening bushes and throw his rifle to his 

 shoulder, at the same time imitating the call of the old 

 ones. As Ike was directly in range, he thought his time 

 had come. 



"Don't shoot me," shrieked he. 



"Get out of the way, then," came the answer, and be- 

 fore he had time to dodge, the rifle cracked, and the calf 

 rolled heels over head, ike, as soon as he had time, dis- 

 covered that he was unhurt, but badly frightened. The 

 shots were afterwards measured. The one at the buck 

 was 140 paces; the killing one at the cow, which struck 

 her while running, 177 paces, and the one at the calf 198 

 paces— the paces those of a six footer. When it is remem- 

 bered that this shooting was made off-hand, and that be- 

 tween each shot the rifle, a breech-loading Sharp, had to 

 he reloaded; that the game was continually moving, and 

 .that three out of the four bullets struck so exactly in the 

 vitals as to cause instantaneous death, while the fourth 

 only struck an inch or so too high, we think no one will 

 dispute the assertion that it was admirable marksmanship. 

 The late matches between the American and Irish teams 

 developed some remarkable shooting, but, to our mind, 

 nothing done by any member of either team excelled this; 

 for it is one thing to shoot at a target, with the accessories 

 of position, 'windage, elevation, etc., allowed for and reck- 

 oned upon, and quite another to stand up and, off-hand, 

 deliver four successive shots at moving game, loading be- 

 fore each, after the first. Not often, indeed, does the 

 sportsman get such a chance, and few and far between 

 are those who could improve it so well. 



We have stated that our party separated. While two 

 went to the bog, the other two started for a pond said to 

 be some four miles from camp, A struggle which lasted 

 all day landed the adventurers, after dark, in the midst of 

 , an alder swamp, where there was as much chance for 

 game as there is on Broadway, and not till noon of the day 

 following did they succeed in reaching the pond. A few 

 hours' hunt was all they could spare time for, and the re- 

 sult was— not a sight of hide, hoof, or hair of anything in 

 the shape of game, and they had to return, tired, hungry, 

 and disgusted, to find their more fortunate companions, 

 and rejoice with them around the camp Are over their won- 

 derful success. The glorious fire of giant, logs, backed by 

 the sombre forest, its light playing over and reflecting all 

 surrounding objects. 



On the morning of September 28th we left the St. Johns 

 pond, and, taking the outlet, started for Baker Lake. This 

 was the first time we had had the current in our favor, and 

 the sensation of being helped along was as new as it was 

 pleasant. We were, however, all day working about six 

 miles down stream, so it will be readily seeu that this sort 

 of traveling is not the one described by the tuneful indi- 

 vidual who informs us what he does as he 



"Floats down the river in a gum-tree canoe." 



Night overtook us at a jam formed by drift logs in a 

 bend of the brook, and as we had to carry around it, and 

 had a terrific rain-storm, accompanied by flurries of snow, 

 we were not afloat again till the 80th, and did not reach 

 Baker Lake till late on the afternoon of that day. On the 

 morning after our arrival Uncle John heard caribou pass- 

 ing through the woods a short distance from where he was, 

 and we at once started in pursuit, leaving the guides in 

 camp. Knowing that there was a brook, bordered by open 

 meadow and emptying into the lake, its course being nearly 

 at right angles with the west shore of the latter, we thought 

 it probable we should be able to find the game feeding on 

 the meadow. So, one taking the shore of the lake, and 

 the other a line some three or four hundred yards from if, 

 "we started. After working our way through the thickest 

 of thick woods with the utmost caution, from nine o'clock 

 m the morning till three in the afternoon, we reached the 

 brook, but could find no game, and had to drag our weary 

 legs back over the very ground we had been so joyously 

 and hopefully traversing before. At such a time as this 

 one is apt to think a hunter's life not what it is said to be, 

 especially when, as in our case, the probability of a sup- 

 perless and comfortless night is strong. Fortunately, how- 

 ever, we soon discovered one of the guides in his canoe 

 looking for us, and soon forgot our fatigue, disappoint- 

 ment, and hunger — satisfying the hunger from our well- 

 stocked larder, assuaging the disappointment with quickly- 

 aroused hopes and new resolutions, while boughs and 

 blanket*, compensated us for the fatigue. 



Leaving Baker Lake October 3d, we passed down into 

 the main St. Johns River, which we found much swollen 

 by the almost continuous rain we had experienced, and it 

 was while coming down the steep descent from the lake to 

 the river that we had some favorable opportunities of see- 

 m S w hat was meant by running rapids. We distinctly re- 

 call the feeling which accompanied us through one set of 

 rapids, where Uncle John's talents shone out supreme. We 

 had been coming down a long stretch of dead water, which 

 tor ten or fifteen minutes had been gradually changing into 

 a very quick stream, when, coming suddenly around a 

 point, we were startled at the appearance of a long reach 

 °t apparently boiling water directly below us, and by the 

 sound of its rushing, then first heard distinctly, as well as 

 by the cry of "lookout" from the other occupant of the 

 canoe. One moment w T e seemed to pause; the next instant 

 the canoe, feeling the effect of a sharp stroke from the 

 stern paddle, with a spring like that of a frightened deer, 

 started _ from the comparative repose in which she had 

 been lying, right into the breakers. A short rush, a dip, a 

 shiver of the little boat, the calls, oft and quickly-repeated, 

 ot 'hold," "paddle hard," "right," "left," the' foaming 

 r ouer as it reared itself seemingly much higher than the 

 gunwale of the canoe, and apparently just about to board 

 Us » then opening or subsiding as though the touch of the 

 stera of our craft had magic in it, the ugly, sharp, black 

 ruck dead ahead, the turn and twist of the cockle shell, 

 • a , occasiona l scrape as she dashes madly past some half 

 tjufden boulder, the swift, wild leap as she rushes from a 

 danger seen into one almost undiscovered, the terrific force 

 °j the falling, surging water, all combined to send the 

 D1 ood through one's veins with accelerated speed. With 



teeth hard shut, the muscles braced and quivering with ex- 

 citement, we rush on, paddle in hand, either resting quietly 

 or working like a flail, as occasion may require, and finallv, 

 just as we seem to be surrounded by flying foam, a last, 

 long leap over the final fall, and the canoe glides out into 

 the still water again, the danger all past, leaving but a 

 realization that scarcely anything is more pleasant to 

 contemplate than difficulties and obstacles overcome by 

 strong personal effort. The effect is not unlike that of 

 riding a swift horse at full speed. His strength has be- 

 come your own, your hand and will his only guidance; all 

 depends upon the rider, yet he is almost poweiless, for a 

 mistake would probably launch him into eternity. In both 

 cases coolness and courage are necessary, and he who has 

 not both had better try neither the running rapids or run- 

 ning horses. 



On the evening of the 4th we reached a large lumbering 

 station, with farm attached, known as Seven Islands. This 

 was the first taste of civilized life in nearly three weeks, 

 and though perhaps the accommodations would not com- 

 pare with those of the " Windsor," we were nevertheless 

 hospitably entertained, and passed a pleasant ■ night, start- 

 ing on our way next morning refreshed. On our way down 

 the river from this point we encountered both fog and 

 snow, but succeeded, on the evening of the 7th, in getting 

 within seven miles of Grand Falls, where we found a 

 Frenchman, who kindly took us in; but as the manner is 

 somewhat peculiar, the incident may not come in amis3. 



The story of the Irishman wrecked on the coast of 

 France, and attempting to borrow a gridiron, is familiar. 

 We were reminded of it when Ike volunteered to ask for 

 lodgings in the vernacular, and as a specimen of his knowl- 

 edge of it remarked that "Donnez moi un coup" meant 

 "Won't you have a drink?" However, he started, and 

 after some moments a shout informed us that he had been 

 successful. Of course the Frenchman was surprised at 

 being asked in pantomime for a lodging by one who looked 

 as Ike did, and who used so little ceremony. When, after 

 a minute or so, the second one of the party appeared, 

 armed with an immense ten-bore, he was astonished. 

 When, after a short lapse of time, the third opened the 

 door and walked in, presenting arms with a savage looking 

 rifle, he was bewildered; but when the fourth one put in 

 an appearance, shouldering a delicate but wicked little 

 twelve, he began to have an idea that he and his family 

 were to be turned out of doors, and much of Ike's French 

 was necessary to assure him that it was all right, and that 

 there were no more of us. So he kindly concluded to al- 

 low us to camp on his kitchen floor, and after much intel- 

 ligible but well-meant jargon on both sides, he determined 

 to retire, and all was soon quiet, the stillness only broken 

 by the heavy breathing of our tired party. 



On the 8th we started before daylight, determined to 

 roach Woodstock and the end of our journey before sleep- 

 ing. Suffice it to add we accomplished the allotted task by 

 nine o'clock P. M., thus doing eighty-two miles in about 

 ten hours' actual paddling. If any one thinks that is not 

 a good day's work, let him try it and be convinced. We 

 caught trout whenever we stopped long enough to cast a 

 fly, killed plenty of ducks, (embracing four different va- 

 rieties), some partridges, and incidentals, such as the 

 4 'lordly heron," etc. Bear signs we saw, and, had time 

 permitted, could doubtless have added to our record the 

 capture of a specimen of the tribe of bruin. Otter and 

 miuk were seen. One of the former was indeed killed, 

 but as he sank in deep water before we could reach him 

 he was not captured. 



Having spent altogether a most satisfactory three weeks, 

 we determined to advise every one who is fond of wood- 

 land life, and who will endure its hardships for the sake of 

 its pleasures and adventures, to try the Baker Lake trip. 



• 'MOLLYCHDKKEMUNK. " 



uUtqB. 



ABSTRACT OF THE REPORT OF THE 

 COMMISSIONERS OF FISHERIES OF 

 THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. 



FOR the want of a suitable appropriation the commis- 

 missioners have found it impossible to give com- 

 plete statistics as to the extent of the fish interests of their 

 State, a fact much to be regretted, as a knowledge by the 

 people of the extent of their fishery resources and the best 

 mode of utilizing them, would result in their endorsing the 

 very action on the part of their Legislature, which would 

 look toward an increased appropriation. 



At Milwaukee there are four steam smacks, and two 

 sailing smacks engaged in fishing. These six smacks have 

 a total of sixty-five miles of nets. Each smack takes 

 an average of 400 pounds of fish each trip, during Sum- 

 mer. During the month of October. 1874, each smack 

 took from 18,000 to 20,000 pounds of fish, while in Novem- 

 ber they increased the take to 32,000 pounds each. The 

 sailing smacks took about the same number each trip, but 

 they made less number of trips. The total of fish taken at 

 Milwaukee during the season of 1874, was not far from 270 

 tons of dressed fish. Each steam smack cost about $7,000, 

 The capital invested at that place is not far from $75,000. 

 In former days the fishermen used nets of a larger mesh 

 and took white-fish that weighed from eight to fourteen 

 pounds each, the latter figures being the largest known to 

 have been caught. Now they have to use smaller meshed 

 nets and take smaller fish, the large ones being almost un- 

 known now. 



At Racine there are employed four sailing crafts, using a 

 total of thirty miles of nets; each trip average about 400 

 pounds, making a trip every day unless interfered by 

 storms. During October and November the trips were 

 tripled. A large per cent, of the fish taken during the last 

 half of October and November were trout, as the spawning 

 grounds of this fish are no great distance from this place. 

 Tons of this magnificent fish were taken when filled with 

 ripe spawn. There were taken about eighty tons at Racine 

 during the fish season. 



Kenosha employs four smacks, with about thirty miles 

 of nets, and the catch is about equal to Racine. In these 

 places, Kenosha, Racine, and Milwaukee, there is a total 

 of one hundred and twenty-five miles of gill-nets used i; 

 There is a total of nets used in the waters of Lake Michi- 

 gan sufficient to reach from one end of the lake to the 



other. During 1875 there was a falling off of at least one- 

 fourth in the supply of fish so that it is evident that the 

 waters of the lake are being depleted. 



Investigations have been made with a view to ascertain- 

 ing the temperature of the water and nature of the bottom 

 of some of the larger of the inland lakes, so that it could be 

 determined what species of fish it would be best to intro- 

 duce. In deep cold waters where the small species of 

 whitefish known as sisco's {Argyrosomus sisco) abound, there 

 the large lake trout, {Salmo namaycush, Penn) will thrive, 

 It is the intention of the commissioners to stock such lakes 

 with these fish. 



It is suggested that fish culture be attached to the Agri- 

 cultural Department of the State University, as, in a few 

 years it would be found that the harvesting of the waters 

 would be very profitable, besides furnishing skilled labor, 

 which is in great demand. 



Since submitting their last report the commissioners 

 have received from the United States Fish Commissioner 

 twenty-five thousand Atlantic salmon spawn, but owing to 

 bad packing, only hatched eighteen thousand, or seventy- 

 two per cent. The young fry were put into Elkhart, Cedar, 

 Rock, and Devil's Lake. They also received thirty-eight 

 hundred and fifty land-locked or Sebec salmon, of which 

 they hatched three thousand five hundred and thirty, or 

 ninety-one and a half per cent. These were divided among 

 the fish breeders of the State, a promise being exacted that 

 should they be successful in breeding them, they would 

 give the State the preference in the sale of their progeny. 

 It was thought that by doing this the State would get a 

 start in them sooner than to trust so few in a lake. In this 

 fish, in common with other fish commissioners, as well as 

 fish culturists, they have a great deal of confidence. As a 

 game and table fish, it is no way inferior to the sea-going 

 salmon, and unlike it, is not an experiment in introducing 

 them into our lakes, as their home is in the fresh water 

 lakes of the State of Maine, that in no material respect dif- 

 fer from their own. 



The commissioners also hope to stock their rivers with 

 salmon and shad. Those put in the tributaries of the Mis« 

 sissippi would go to the Gulf of Mexico, as the streams 

 would not likely suit them after the second year, but when 

 nature moved them to propagate, they would return to the 

 fresh, pure water, as they can breed in no other. As to tha 

 distance, both fish are known to make longer journeys, 

 and although the experiment is now only in process of elu- 

 cidation, success is hopefully anticipated. 



At present, however, it is the fish native to the waters of 

 the State to which the commissioners desire particularly to 

 turn^their attention. Among these are the white-fish, sal- 

 mon trout, lake herring, black bass, and the brook trout. 

 Considering the importance of stocking the interior lakes, 

 a temporary hatching house was started at Pensankee, on 

 the railroad twenty-five miles above Green Bay. The at- 

 tempt to secure Mackinaw trout spawn was a total failure. 

 Most unaccountably there was not a ripe trout caught there 

 this season, and the fishermen were unable to account for 

 it. Neither were so many whitefish spawn taken as 

 had been expected, which was owing partly to inexperi. 

 ence, but mainly to the closing in of Winter so early, 

 which compelled the fishermen to take up their nets in 

 the midst of the spawning season of both white-fish and 

 herring. 



In addition to 350,000 white-fish spawn there were taken 

 about 200,000 lake herring spawn. This fish is known in 

 Madison as white-fish>and Fourth Lake is very full of them, 

 a few of them having been put in there by ex-Governor 

 Farwell, who no doubt thought them to be white-fish, as 

 many still do. While in flesh and size they are not quite 

 the equal of the while-fish, they are better for lakes wheie 

 netting is not allowed, as they will take the hook, (and be- 

 ing very proliflic, a large one having about 20,000 eggs,) 

 and being superior to the fish native to our interior lakes, 

 they are thought well worth introducing. 



An appropriation of $15,000 is asked for, which would 

 build hatching houses, ponds, etc., in necessary localities. 

 With this in hand and the experience of other States to" be 

 guided by, fish culture in Wisconsin would be an establish- 

 ed success. This is but the second year of the commis- 

 sion, but it has demonstrated the availibility of the 

 great water area of the State. None is better situated for 

 producing an immense fish supply, and the blessing of 

 cheap and abundant food is sure to be the result of well 

 directed and intelligent efforts in this direction. 



—Virginia is making rapid progress in the matter of fish 

 culture and game protection, and has just now followed 

 the example of several other States and established a 

 "State Association for the Protection of Game and Fish," 

 with Alex. Mosely as President, and Peyton Johnson, Sec- 

 retary and Treasurer. Any person is eligible upon pay- 

 ment of one dollar initiation fee. Both the officers named 

 are enthusiastic in this new branch of economy. Alex. 

 Mosely is an editor of the Richmond Whig, and one of the 

 State Fish Commissioners. 



New Fishway.— Mr. A. J. Hinds, of Patchogue, L. 

 I. , has invented a fishway, so constructed that fish can 

 pass the highest dams. They can go up, but cannot return 

 the same way. He has used it for trout for over a year, 

 and it has proved a perfect success. We understand that 

 he intends to apply for a patent, but will explain its prin- 

 ciples to those wishing to examine it, provided it will not 

 compromise his interest. 



. — ■ »«» ■■ — -— 



SPAWNING OF GOLD FISH, 



Matsville, Ky., January 8th, 1878. 

 Editor Forest and Stream:— 



I noticed a short time since an article in yonr paper taken from "Hard* 

 wick's Science Gossip" on tlie breeding of gold fish. As the writer's 

 experience differs somewhat, from mine, I thought perhaps it might in- 

 terest some of your readers to hear how I have succeeded. 



I have kept fish for about five years, and have a tank that contains 

 about twenty gallons of water. Last spring I had eleven gold fish, and 

 have never seen more healthy lively fish than mine. I always feed them 

 on raw beef, bread crumbs, and earth worms; they are very tame, and 

 will take food from my hand. A year ago last spring my fish spawned 

 much to my surprise, as I had read that they could not be propagated in 

 so small a tank. I lifted the eggs from the tank to a globe; the fish 

 were hatched, but died in about tbree weeks. This year I have been 

 more successful; my fish spawned on the 13th of May, and as soon as 

 possible I had a large washing tub filled with water placed oa the porch. 



