FOREST AND STREAM. 



AMERICAN HORSES IN INDIA. 



THE prospect of the future supply of horses for the 

 cavalry in India is attracting much attention among 

 the military of that empire and England, it is said that 

 the management of the army stud hitherto has been bad. 

 As a great military power, open to attack from within and 

 without, India should be independent of all outside aid, 

 and in possession of an ample and suitable supply of 

 horses of her own. That she at one time, under native 

 rule did possess a breed of active, terse horses is a matter 

 of history. Whence this supply shall be obtained is the 

 question. Several schemes for breeding systematically 

 from native, strong, but low-bred mares, and thorough- 

 bred, imported stallions, have been devised, but do not 

 meet with favor. The importation of horses from the 

 Cape of Good Hope does not seem practicable to any great 

 extent, nor from Australia, although the extensive grazing 

 plains of Queensland will no doubt hereafter be utilized to 

 raise a stock of fine horses for exportatiou; at present there 

 is no good breed of Australian horses in existence there, 

 unless it is the immediate descendants of imported English 

 thoroughbreds, and all are expensive. Mares are now the 

 great want of India— strong, blooded mares. It is a tropi- 

 cal country, and it is said that countries of the sun must 

 have horses of the sun. It was from the clear, sunny cli- 

 mate of Arabia that the founders of the race came which 

 have given the Eastern cavalry their best coursers; and 

 they naturally look to Arabia for a renewal of the stock. 

 One favorite suggestion, then, is, to purchase large num- 

 bers of brood mares from the Bedouins, who, in the 

 spring and summer, are generally roaming in the pastures 

 of Aleppo, Palmyra, Horns, and Hama, in the fertile plain 

 of the swift Oroutes, in the plain of Esdralon, or in the 

 vicinity of Damascus. One of these tribes, the Sebaa Ane- 

 zi, can muster ten or twelve thousand horsemen at any 

 time, and their mares bear the repute of having in their 

 veins the purest blood to be found in the desert. They 

 trade largely. These horses can be got up to fifteen hands 

 two inches high. The mares thus being secured, it is 

 proposed not to ship them all to India, but to establish a 

 stud, or sort of supply station in Syria, whence they can 

 be taken by the Dead Sea to Bombay, or marched over- 

 land in case of emergency. There are strong arguments 

 in favor of some such plan, but the expense is against it. 

 Another plan is to obtain brood mares from Hungary. No 

 troops in the world are better mounted than the Austrians. 

 Their horses are very large, handsome, and shapely ani- 

 mals, with great power. The parent stock of this breed 

 came originally from Arabia through Turkey, and it has 

 grown and flourished under the careful and intelligent cul- 

 tivation bestowed on it. Within the Tropics there cannot 

 be a superfluity of blood, but for the hard, enduring ser- 

 vice of the cavalry, bone must go wilh it. By bone is 

 meant that dense, ivory-grained, osseous material apper- 

 taining to the thorough-bred. It was this combination of 

 blood and "bone that enabled Goldsmith Maid to trot a mile 

 in 2:14, and sends along the Texas horse day after day his 

 sixty miles on no other keep than the natural grasses 

 of the prairie. Now it seems to be reduced to this, that the 

 horses which Indian must take for her future must be de- 

 rived from the Western United States. A company has 

 been started in India called the Horse Supply Association, 

 which proposes establishing a line of large, powerful and 

 speedy steamers to run between Milford Haven and Nor- 

 folk, Va., and Galveston, Texas, the passages being calcu- 

 lated to and back from either port, respectively, at twelve 

 and twenty-two days. These vessels will be fitted especi- 

 ally for the horse trade, and are very stiff and steady in 

 sea way. Each will be able to carry about four hundred 

 horses. It is proposed to import two classes : 



1st— The horses of the Western States, which are to be 

 found in great numbers, especially in the blue-grass coun- 

 try of Kentucky. They are large, powerful, symmetri- 

 cal, upstanding animals, possessing ample bone and sub- 

 stance with, as a rule, superb natural trotting action. 

 Such horses well broken, and fresh from the dealer's 

 hands, can be purchased on the spot for from $75 to $150 

 each, and in the English market would readily realize pri- 

 ces from 60 guineas to even 200 guineas and upwards. It 

 is estimated that allowing $25 per head by raii and water 

 to the port of Norfolk they would be landed in Milford 

 Haven for $75 more. If purchased as three-year olds, 

 their original cost would be much less. These mares 

 could go on to India via the Canal, and be landed, safely, 

 and in fact, in good heart, for prices averaging $300, and 

 would be worth at least double the money. 



2(i — Texas horses, also procurable in vast numbers- 

 some of the ranches carrying from 15,000 to 20,000 head — 

 and for whk-h there is so limited a demand at present that 

 the breeders actually contemplate slaughtering them for 

 the sake of their hides and tallow. These horses are well 

 suited for light draft and saddle purposes. Inheriting the 

 Barbary blood introduced from Morocco, they show much 

 of the characteristics of that breed, having the small, 

 blood-likB head, dished face, broad square forehead, full 

 eye, small pricked ear, thin open nostril, arched crest, and 

 well-set-on tail of the desert horse. Their legs are sinewy 

 and clean, and feet excellent, while their shoulders are 

 better placed than those generally seen in Barbs. Like the 

 Indian country-bred and the South American mustang, 

 their chief fault lies in the drooping quarters which, 

 though indicative of speed and activity, are unsightly. 

 This fault, if fault it can be called, when it does not 

 amount to meanness, has on several of the large runs been 

 remedied by careful crossing with some of the best blood 



from the Eastern States, and the produce is a powerful 

 horse, with no great height, possessing undoubted stamina. 

 Picked, but unbroken, horses can be bought off the best 

 run for from $25 to $50 each, and an English writer tells 

 us that many of a desperately ill-used batch landed at Liv- 

 erpool Ihe other day, after a voyage of forty-eight days in 

 a small steamer, would have passed for large sized broth- 

 ers to Alii Shah and Gray Leg in a Bombay dealer's sta- 

 ble. At the price these really excellent animals could be 

 landed at, the Government of India could well and wisely 

 afford to mount several regiments on picked mares which, 

 eventually, after some years' service, would pass out of 

 the ranks into private hands as brood mares. 



Or even a nearer supply could be found in Southern 

 California. On many of the large ranches great care has 

 been taken with the manadas,in keeping- the mares in 

 good condition and up to a fair standard of height, al- 

 though, as a rule, a most reckless course is pursued in al- 

 lowing mares and foals to run with almost unstinted lib- 

 erty, the result of which is seen in the club footed and 

 weedy colts to be seen with most caviadas or bands. The 

 transportation from our western coast to India would be 

 even more direct than from Texas, and the quality of the 

 stock quite as good. We have seen the produce of the 

 common mustang of California when crossed with a trot- 

 ting horse of average quality turn out remarkably well, 

 even for track purposes, and Occident, although of course 

 an excepiional horse, is said to have been gotten from a 

 mustang mare. However, whether it be Texas or Califor- 

 nia, the opening of a market in India for our surplus 

 horses is a "consumation devoutly to be wished." In the 

 words of the immortal Sellers, "There's millions in it." 

 -♦♦♦• 



Maoei Relics.— The Smithsonian Institution has lately 

 received some ethnological collections from the Chatham 

 Inlands, among which were several skulls and bones of 

 Maori-oris. It is said that this race never buried their 

 dead, but carried them out and deposited them in heaps, 

 where thpy were left to decay, so that the bones are easily 

 found in many different parts of the island. They were 

 cannibals; the remnants of the race now found in the 

 island having been known to practice cannibalism as late 

 as about ten years ago. They now number only about 

 twenty-five souls, are "limited to a reservation, and sus- 

 tained by the colonial government. The name Maori-ori is 

 said to mean ' before the Maoris,' and indicates that these 

 people, the aborigines of Chatham Island, had. been sub- 

 dued and, in great measure, displaced -by the Maoris. It 



peans Chatham Island lies six hundred miles east of New 

 Zealand, in latitude 48 Q south. 



S cw &ubticat'wn&. 



MAGAZINES. 



The American Naturalist opens with an account of the 

 ancient pottery of Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico by Edwin 

 A Barber, who accompanied the party of Or. Hayden's survey which ex- 

 plored the cliff ruins of the Southwest in 1875. Several descriptions of 

 these remains have already appeared in oar columns. It is illustrated 

 by two lithographic plates and three full-page illustrations on wood. 

 Judge Caton's article on a new California deer is condensed in our Nat- 

 ural History department. C. S. Rafinesque finds a champion in H. E. 

 Copel and under the heading of "A Neglected Naturalist." The writer 

 thinks we forget too readily the labors of the older American zoologists, 

 and contends that Rafinesque, who was au erratic genius, never received 

 the credit due him especially in regard to his investigation of fishes. Dr. 

 C. C. Abbott tells the story of a remarkable visit of white egrets to the 

 flooded flats of the Delaware River at Trenton, N. J., in August, 1875. 

 The article gives opportunity for some very good ornithological philoso- 

 phy. Dr. Packard contributes a brief history of the house fly, and the 

 reviews and departments are extended and valuable. The improvement 

 in this excellent periodical is very marked. 



Lippincotfs has, as was to be expected, a flavor of Phila- 

 delphia about it, for its opening article is an illustrated review of house- 

 hold and finer art as set forth in the Main Building at the Exhibition. 

 An exceedingly timely and graphic account of Montenegro and its peo 

 pie follows, also illustrated. It arouses our s>mpathy for the hardy 

 meuntaineers. The first chapters ol "Love in Idleness," an essay on 

 "The Age of Knick-knacks" (the present), a sketch of George Sand, 

 and minor papers fill the number, which, as a whole, is unusually en 

 tertaining. 



The articles extracted for the August Echctic are "The 



Courses of Religious Thought," by the Right. II on W. E. Gladstone; a 

 review of the German poet Walter Von der Wogelweide; a description 

 of autumn on the Lower Yangtze; "Leigh Hunt and Lord Brougham;" 

 "Remarks on Modern Warfare;" a practical article from the CornhiU on 

 "Walking Tours;" chapters of "Her Dearest Foe," and various other 

 selections of poetry, criticism and travel. Opposite the title page ap- 

 pears a steel portrait of .Mr. A. R. Spofford, Librarian of Congress, ac- 

 companied by a biographical Sketch. 



* — ■ 



No Notice Taken of Anonymous Communications. 



R T. M., New Haven.— We cannot determine the fish from your de- 

 scription. 



S. B. B., Hudson, N. Y.— When can quail be shot in thie State? Ans. 

 October 1st. 



D. D. W., West Barre, N. Y.— Will you be so kind as to tell me how 

 to organize a sportsman's club? Ans. Have sent you form of consti- 

 tution and by-laws for a sportsman's club. 



E. S., New York.— Please inform me where I can find a good New- 

 foundland or St. Bernard slut for my Newfoundland dog. He is one 

 of the finest ones I ever saw. Ans. We do not know of one in private 

 hands, but some of our readers may have such a dog 



Reader. Manchester, Vt.— Is first class shooting to be had in Ken- 

 tucky in the fall? If so what kind of game can be shot and in what 

 counties to be found best?. Ans. Good quail shooting can be had in 

 Mason and adjoining counties and deer farther north. 



Vaio ish, Bath. —Will you please give me in your next issue the recipe 

 for a varnish to prevent guns rusting on tue sea shore, and how to appiy 

 it? Ans. We have found Belmontyle oil to answer the purpose better 

 than any other preparation. 



J. S. D., North Attleboro.— Please give me the address of a few of the 

 leading game dealers of St. Louis? Ans We do not know the names of 

 any St. Louis game dealers, but if you will address J. W. Munson. Esq., 

 he may be kind enough to give you the information. 



F. O. S., Ithaca, N. Y.— 1. At what price can one of the pointer pups 

 mentioned In last issue, as being for sale by Westminster Breeding Ken- 

 nell be purchased and what is their age? 2. Also prices of two broken 

 dogs advertised by J. W. from your office? Ans. 1. $.0; whelped about 

 July 1st. 2. $150 each we believe. Address the party advertising. 



F. A. B., Boston.— -Please inform a subscriber to your paper, through 

 your columns, how much a book published by Chas. Snydam costs, call- 

 ed "Shooting on the Wing," by an old Game Keeper? Ans. The book is 

 published by the Industrial Publishing Co., No. 176 Broadway, and costs 

 75 cents. 



J. C. E.— Wiil you let me know through your valuable paper in what 

 part of the Adirondacks Piseco Lake is situated? also how to get there 

 from Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain? Ans. You will find the route to 

 Lake Piseco in an article headed "Adirondacks Itenerary," in our issue 

 of 27th nlto. Send for a copy of Wallace's guide with map, etc. 



A. J. D. C, Philadelphia.— Can you inform tue if there is any 

 chicken and snipe shooting near Joliet, 111.; if so, what month is the 

 best, after August? Ans. Within striking distance of Joliet, 111., you 

 will find prairie grouse and snipe shooting, and the best time ia about 

 October 1st. 



Arthur, Lockport, N. Y.— Please inform me through your paper 

 where, and how far from Toronto, Canada, good deer,duck, and partridge 

 shooting can be found, as small party wish to go huntiug in that section 

 this fall from our city? Ans. Mt.Jalien on Bighen or Duck Lakes, 

 one day's ride northwest, where the party can find the best shooting 

 anywhere in Canada within reasonable distance. 



T. 0„ New York.— Mv intentions are to go to Manchester, Vermont, 

 for a week or two the first part of September. What kind of game would 

 I be likely to find near that place at this time? Do you think it is a good 

 game country, and that it would pay me to take my dogs with me? Ans. 

 It is a good country for ruffed grouse and you would do well to take your 

 dogs. 



R. B. R., Hazleton, Pa.— My pointer dog's eyes are very sore with a 

 thick white dischaige running, nose dry, and coat very rough. What is 

 the matter? Do yon think he has worm?, if so, what shall I do for him? 

 He has a very good appetite and is very active. Do you think a wash 

 would be good for his eyes? Ans. Areca nut will cure your dog and ws 

 would have sent you some had you observed the lme at the head of this 

 column. 



Queries, Lee<»burg, Va.— Ought a gut leader to bo immediately soaked 

 before using? I have lost six flies lately just at the first or second cast 

 by the leader breaking when I struck the fish (ever so gently). Ans. It 

 should be soaked immediately before using. Defective gut was probably 

 the cause of your snoods breaking. When the gut breaks at the hook 

 it is often the result of imperfect casting; sometimes from being coiled 

 carelessly in the fly- book. 



H. D. M., Indianapolis.— Do you think flies could be used to good ad- 

 vantage for bass in the small rivers and streams of Indiana and Ohio? 

 What amount shall I send you for a fair line of samples for a trial? 

 Ans. Bass will not take flies at all times— and neither will trout, for 

 that matter— but we believe that bass will rise to a fly in any and all wa- 

 ters, they being ingreat part surface feeders. As to Ohio and Indiana 

 we can answer positively that they do. Bass flies sell from $3 to $J per 

 dozen at the tackle shops. 



C, F, B., Worcester, Mass.—T have a heavy canvass tent without fly, 

 which during a heavy shower leaks. Can yon tell me of some paint or 

 oil that will prevent it? Ans. Send it to Chas. Tappan, Greenwood, 

 Mass., and have it waterprofed by his parafine process. Painting will 

 make it too heavy. Or you can waterproof it yourself by taking sugar 

 of lead and powdered alum in the proportions of half a ponnd of each to 

 a bucket of rain water; dissolve and pour of the dissolved ingredients 

 into another vessel. Steep the canvass thoroughly in the solufion, let- 

 ting it stay for a considerable time. Hang it up to dry but do not 

 wring it. 



Zattuman, Baltimore.— Can you give me any information about the 

 region of the Red River of the north and Pembina? What is the best 

 way to get there from St. Paul, Minn., and what sport, fl-diing especial- 

 ly, is to be obtained? Ans. The book entitled "The Prairie Province," 

 published by Belford Brothers, Toronto, contains full information; also 

 Butler's "Great Lone Land," and "Ocean to Ocean," published by 

 Adams, Stevenson & Co., Toronto, Canada. Praitie chickens, ptarmi- 

 gan, wild fowl, rabbits and deer are the principal varieties of game. 

 Buffalo and elk disappeared a few years ago. Bass fishing in the lakes. 

 Railroad and steamboat from St. Paul. 



B., Cleveland, Ohio.— Where, in the West, either in Nebraska, Mis- 

 souri, Kansas, or the Indian Territory, could a couple of sportsmen find 

 amusement along in October or November for a couple of weeks, and 

 which of those two months would be best? We want to find some place 

 where we can get duck, geese, prairie chicken, quail, etc., and a few 

 hundred miles difference in the distance won't be objectionable; but we 

 would like to learn of some region where there will be no disa point- 

 ment when we get there. Ans. YTou can hardly eo wrong this year, 

 but if you will make your headquarters at Atchison, Kan., you wiil find 

 excellent "chicken" and other shooting. 



S. B, D., Lake City, Minn.— I have shot in a general contest and own 

 the badge. Am challenged to shot a match; under those rules we tie; 

 does that tie have to be shot off at five birds according to rule 7 lit for 

 trap shooting? I claim tha*. ties shall only be shot off when the owner- 

 ship of any properU shot for is divided. The ownership of the badge 

 is wholy vested in me and I claim that a tie does not beat, or either di- 

 vide ownership. 1 also claim thai to shoot at five birds would put n.e in 

 the place of the challenging party and 1 would have o beat him, putting 

 the cart before the horse. Ans. We think that you are wrong and should 

 decide that the tie should be shot off under rule VilL 



Subscriber Philadelphia.— Is there any rnle in casting the fly that 

 compels the cas'er to throw the flies behind up into the trees, or is there 

 such a rule governing fl casting at the New York State SportMnan's 

 Convention* which compels him to throw the fly behind as w^H as in 

 front of him. I think as long as the caster complies with the rules, such 

 as length and weight "f rod and length of leader and regular line with- 

 out weight attached to it he nas a right to throw it any way he can? 

 Ans. The rules for fly-casting say that "no cast shall be valued unless 

 the line be retrieved," which necessearily briLgs it back behind the 

 ca-ter. 



B. L. G., Newburgh.— Can yon or any of your readers give me any in- 

 formation about the shooting and hotel accommodations at Cobb's 

 Island, Va. ? What is the best route from New Yo<k to the island, and 

 is there any goose, nrant, or duck sho ting to hi had in the fall or win- 

 ter? Ans. A good many columns of informaion have appeared in this 

 paper about Cobb's Island. There is a good hoi el on the island, but the 

 proprietor has declined to furni-h the information through oni columns. 

 Excellent geese, duck, brant, snipe and woodcock shooting in the fall 

 and winter. To reach the island sportsmen generally go to Waking- 

 ton, D. C, and take the steamer down the Potomac to Cherrystone. 

 Tfiere is equally good shooting at Obincoteague. which can now be 

 reached by rail and steamers of the Old Dominion Line. 



C. V.B..Ponghkeepsie —In what pnrt of the Adirond \cks conld I find 

 g od hunting and fishing for one or two we-ks without costin too 

 much? Please state the time and what ii would co^t to get the' e, and 

 what game I would find next month. Can yon t II me the cost < f a ca- 

 noe? Ans. Martin Moody's, on Big Tnpper Lake, is as cheap a place 

 as any with good plain fare. You will get lake trout by trolling in Sep- 

 tember, and good speckled trout fishing an occasional deer, with some 

 ruffed grouse and wild ducks. The month of October is the best 

 for general sport. Canoes are not used. Boats with guide cost $ 2 50 

 per day. You conld hire a boat from Moody at a trifling expense to 

 cruise about the premises. For infor-.ation of Adirondack region you 

 should by all means buy the Adirondack Guide for sale at this office, 

 It will save you its cost ten times over, Price $2, with large pap. 



