■ .- 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



vated; others prefer it in that condition, and we do not 

 venture to decide between them. 



We turn next to the conditions of growth and method 

 of raising. Moisture, heat and electricity all have their 

 effect upon the mushroom, the last mentioned being only 

 in some cases absolutely necessary. It is not required by 

 the common mushroom which, under the proper condi- 

 tions of moisture and temperature alone, can be raised all 

 the year round. The following passage from a work on 

 gardening is quoted by M. Roques, and containing as it 

 does a perfect method of obtaining a supply of mush- 

 rooms, has the advantages of both lucidity and brev- 

 ity: "Having observed that all those dunghills whi<m 

 abounded chiefly in sheep or cow dioppings began shortly 

 to turn mouldy on their surface, and to leave mushrooms, 

 I collected a quantity of this manure which, as soon as it 

 began to turn white, I strewed lightly over some melon 

 beds and some spring crops of vegetables, and obtained in 

 either case and as often as I repeated the experiment a 

 ready supply of excellent mushrooms, which came up 

 from a month to six weeks after the dung had been so dis- 

 posed of; but as an equable temperature is in all cases de- 

 sirable to render the result certain, where this cannot be 

 secured under the protection of glass, the next best plan is 

 to scatter a portion of the above manures mixed with a 

 little earth in a cave or cellar, to which some tan is an ex- 

 cellent addition." Granted the necessary temperature the 

 mushroom may, therefore, be raised either in the garden or 

 in houses, sheds, or cellars. Sometimes in the former case 

 the beds are raised in ridges, and are composed of earth 

 and horse manure. In the latter, boxes may be filled with 

 alternate layers of the same materials, with a top covering 

 of mould. 



Mr. J. Payne Lowe, of New York, who has devoted a 

 great deal of attention to the raising of mushrooms, sup- 

 plies us with valuable information. He advances one 

 advantage possessed by the cultivated mushroom over the 

 wild, that it is never poisonous, provided that no for- 

 eign matter has been left in the manure used for bedding. 

 He states two indispensables for their successful cultiva- 

 tion — a dry cellar or other place where a temperature of 

 about 80° Fahrenheit can be steadily maintained, and be Is 

 of well trampled horse, mule and ass manure. The latter 

 should be well cleaned, heaped up, and watered and turned 

 until it has cooled down to about 88° Fahrenheit. After 

 the spores is put in the bed is again watered and covered 

 thinly with soil. The mushrooms will appear in from six 

 to ten weeks. When the mushrooms are spotted the bed 

 is too damp; when they are very small the heat is too 

 great. Sometimes the production of mushrooms is left to 

 chance. The spores may exist among the manure; some- 

 times, also, earth from a pasture where mushrooms grow 

 plentifully is used in making the beds. 



The cultivation of the mushroom has never been exten 

 sively followed here. They are imported as preserves and 

 in ketchup, but although a magnificent field lies open for 

 native enterprise, it is almost entirely unoccupied. They are 

 raised to a limited extent on Long Island and in N. Jersey, 

 and are bought at restaurants and by dealers at from sev- 

 enty-five cents to one^dollar a quart. Some Frenchmen 

 started their culture on a larger scale several years a^o, 

 but on the first misfortune the capitalist withdrew from 

 the enterprise. All that is required is a place such as has 

 been described above where the required temperature and 

 humidity can be obtained, and when it has been secured 

 there appears to be no reason why the pursuit may not be 

 made as remunerative here as it is abroad. 



Reveries of a Smoker. — We believe it was Dr. John- 

 son who said, "He who smokes thinks like a philosopher." 

 It may be; we have not always been quite sure of success 

 in our own experiment, but it is a noticeable thing that al. 

 most all scientific men, writers, and reputed philosophers 

 smoke; and it occurs to us that what Dr. Johnson really 

 meant was, He who thinks like a philosopher, smokes. 

 Meanwhile we shall continue our experiment, confident 

 that "all things come to him who waits." Some things 

 come without one's waiting for them or expecting them, 

 like that package of Vanity Fair from Mr. Kimball, of 

 Rochester, whose deep insight into human nature starts 

 him far towaids the goal of a philosophic mind— universal 

 benevolence. His memory shall not, like his fragrant 



present, "end in smoke." 



_^*.*. ■ ■ 



— We wish to draw the attention of our inland readers 

 to the fact that, in consequence of the long continued de- 

 pression of business, and ihe necessity of realizing on 

 stock, good English guns (breech and muzzle-loaders) can 

 now be selected in this city at prices below the cost of man- 

 ufacture. Further, that a practical sportsman and expert 

 in guns, entirely at leisure, and whom we can thoroughly 

 indorse, will, for a few weeks only, act as purchasing 

 a"-ent for such persons as may wish to avail themselves of 

 his services. Any communication or inquiry may be ad- 

 dressed to us at this office. 



^ t» ■ 



The Quail Season —The close season for quail expires 

 in this State on Monday next the 1st October, nearly a 

 month too soon, as the birds in many places are scarcely 

 half grown. We shall have a repetition of last year's ex- 

 perience, when little half-fledged birds were sent to mar- 

 ket, so small and puny that the dealers could not offer 

 them for sale. Birds, however, promise to be more abun- 

 daut than for years past. The same ^eport reaches us 

 from every direction, that not for years have so many quail 

 been seen, 



}mm §ng mi %nn. 



GAME NOW IN SEASON. 



Moose, Alces meUchis. 



Caribou, Tatandw rangifer. 



Elk or wapiti, Cervus mnadmsie. 



Red or Virginia deer, C .tit ginianus. 



Squirrels, red, black and gray. 



Hares, brown and gray. 



Reed or rice-bird, jDoiichonyx oryz- 



ivorus. 

 Wild turkey, Meleagtis gallopa- 



vo 

 Pinnated grouse or prairie chicken, 



Cupidoma cupido. 

 Ruffed grouse or pheasant, Bonasa 



umhellus. 

 Quail or partridge, Ortyx Virginia- 



nus. 



Black-bellied plover or ox-eje,Sgua- 



tarola helvetica. 

 Ring plover, JSgialilis semipal- 



maius. 

 Stilt, or long-shanks, Himantopm 



aigricollin. 

 Woodcock, Philofiela minor. 

 Red-breasted snipe, or dowitcher, 



Maerorhamp/iiis griseus. 

 Red-backed sandpiper, or ox-bird, 



Tringa americana. 

 Gr> at marbled godwit, or marlin, 



Limobafedoa. 

 Willet, Totanus semipalmatvs. 

 Tattler, Totanus melanoleucus . 

 Yellow-shanks, Totanus Jlavipes. 



"Bay-birds" generally,including various species of plover, sand-pipers, 

 snipe, curlews,oy8ter-catchers,eui'f-bird8, phalaropes, avocets, etc., com- 

 ing under the group Limicolce, or Shore Birds. 



Maine— Hallowell, Sept. 11th. — Shooting has not been so 

 good lately; my score since September 10th is 26 woodcock 

 and 5 partridges. The early rains last spring killed, many 

 young grouse, and so far they have not been so scarce for 

 a long time. John Lord. 



Massachusetts— New Bedford, Sept. 2M. — Since the 

 rains of a week ago partridge (grouse) shooting has been 

 good. Large flocks of quail are seen that will afford good 

 sport as soon as the season opens (October 15th). Wood- 

 cock, none; bay and marsh birds scarce. Concha. 



Charlton, Sept. 24th. — Ruffed grouse quite plenty, but 

 leaves too thick for shooting. Woodcock just coming, and 

 bid fair to be quite abundant. Quail more plenty than for 

 a number of years, but scarce at that. C. T. 



New York — Adirondacks, Number Four, Sept. 17th. — 

 The season here has been very dry, no rain having fallen 

 for two months of any account. The Beaver river is now 

 a mere brook, not having been as low for 20 years. Bear 

 are unusually plenty all over the shores of the river. There 

 have been a good many deer shot here this summer, and 

 the river shore is all tracked up with them. The Fent&n 

 House has been full all summer, and we have had some 

 very jolly nights with charades, music, etc. We have had 

 several hard frosts, and the foliage begins to look beauti- 

 ful. A lire is a necessity, especially at night, and soon the 

 landscape will be white with the tailing snow. The trout 

 fishing has been rather poor this rummer, owing to the 

 lowness of the ponds and streams; still, parties can get all 

 they want to eat. No set line fishing has been allowed, 

 the guides having agreed to frown it down, and I think if 

 they would take the matter in hand they could stop most 

 of the fishing and shooting out of season. 



F. Bolles, Jr. 



Auburn, Sept. 24th. — The woodcock, partridge and duck 

 shootiug never was better in this locality. The fall flight 

 of woodcock increases the bags every day. Partridges 

 never were so plenty for years. By the return of birds 

 from the north snipe shooting is improving. Large flocks 

 of golden plover were seen all last week passing over. The 

 farmers report some in the wheat fields, and a few bags 

 have been made. H. G. F. 



Rochester, Sept. 21st. — Woodcock shooting in this vicinity 

 has been as good as for several seasons past. Sportsmen 

 appear to favor the extension of the close season to Sep- 

 tember 1st. Ruffed grouse are found in fair numbers but 

 not sufficiently numerous to warrant anyone coming here 

 from abroad. There are no more than the sportsmen here 

 want themselves; a few more wouldn't be amiss. I have 

 seen several strings of black and gray squirrels, that were 

 shot within ten miles of town. C. B. 



Hornellsville, Sept. 25th. — From some cause or other grouse 

 are very scarce here just now. In places that were swarm- 

 ing with chicks last summer, not one is to be found now. 



John. 



Pennsylvania— Quail shooting does not commence be- 

 fore the 15th of October, and continues to the 15th of De- 

 cember. Ruffed grouse shooting begins October 1st, 

 and runs one month longer, to the 15th of January. Wild 

 ducks and summer-ducks, the latter also called wood- 

 ducks, can be shot from October 1st t® January 1st. 

 Rabbit shooting begins October 15th and ends December 

 15ih. Heavy penalties attend the violation of the law, and 

 persons will oe on the watch lor the fines. 



— Deer hunting will commence on the 2d of October, on 

 the territory of the Blooming Grove Park Association. 

 Members are advised to bring their own dogs for ruffed 

 grouse shooting. Rifles and ammunition for target prac- 

 tice will be found at the club house. Excursion tickets to 

 Lackawaxen can be obtained at the Erie Railway office, 

 No. 401 Broadway. 



Pittsburgh, . Sept. 22d. — Game is plenty this year. The 

 ruffed grouse and quail will give fine sport in about three 

 weeks, although the pot hunters are alter the birds every 

 day. R- G. 



New Jersey— Tenafly, Sept. 2Qth.— Everything in the 

 shooting line has been very dull of late. Woodcock have 

 been very scarce, and hard to find on account of the dry 

 weather. We are looking forward to the fall flight of the 

 birds, with everything ready to give them a warm recep- 

 tion. We have had an abundance of squirrel shooting 

 this fall, and, by the bye, what causes the grubs found in 

 them? 1 have seen several this fall with a large white 

 grub under the skin, something the same as in horned cat- 

 tle. When cold weather sets in they get rid of them. The 

 quail shooting promises to be about the same as usual, al- 

 though the birds are very small. I caught one alive on 

 tbe 19th inst. that was too small to fly. The birds are the 

 same in New York State, and will afford poor sport on the 

 first of next month. It was the same last year. The birds 

 were not one-third grown, and could not fly more than a 

 few feet. Ruffed grouse have increased wonderfully this 

 year, and to a few knowing ones will give some fine sport. 

 Wood duck have just made their appearance— three to one 

 gun one day last week. A large, full grown fish hawk 

 (fandion halicstus) was killed near the village one day last 

 week. They sometimes pay us a visit during a northeast 

 storm. It is a fine specimen, and will be mounted along 

 with other trophies. I have not seen any English snipe as 

 yet. It has been so dry on the usual feeding grounds that 



they are overrun with grass, and this will prevent, the birds 

 from staying with us. The rail shooting on the Hacken 

 sack river has been quite poor— from 13 to 35 birds to a 

 boat. It will probably be better after a cold storm. 



Red Wing 



yiRGmiA—Blacksburff, September 18th. — Bull - bats— Chor- 

 deiles virginianus— the best of the minor game of this" 

 country for sport or table, have been very abundant and in 

 superb condition here for two weeks past. I have killed 

 several hundred. On one occasion took out 28 cartridges 

 and brought in 23 birds, besides two which fell out of 

 bounds and were recovered by boys; killed 17 in succession 

 Reed birds also numerous. The bats are quite as fat and 

 better game than the reed birds: Wild pigeons arriving. 



-E. 



Norfolk, Sept 23d.-— We had a good many plover in the 

 fields near town on Monday, but they have left. During 

 the hard storm of Sunday there was one field two milef 

 from here that was filled with willet, curlew, and yello-w- 

 shanks, but on Monday they had left. W. II S. 



Wisconsin — Janesville, Sept 18th. — Chicken shooting has 

 been very poor with us this season. Coveys were badly 

 broken by the heavy July rains, and birds are scarce and 

 wild. It requires 6's to stop 'em. Late rains have flooded 

 all our marshes, and we are, therefore, certain to have the 

 finest of snipe shooting. Stragglers are already dropping 

 in, and as we have a number of laige marshes within an 

 hour's drive, our prospect is good. Early duck shooting at 

 Kofhkonong has been slim. Plenty of birds, but no regu- 

 lar flight. Northern ducks are not coming in as yet. Mal- 

 lards are very plentiful, but are feeding on the prairies, and 

 the abundance of water makes it unnecessary for them to 

 resort to the lake, consequently comparatively few are 

 killed. A. M. Valentine. 



Texas— Galveston, September 16th. — Galveston is alive with 

 bay-birds. As a resort for winter sportsmen from the ice-' 

 bound Slates, not a city in the land affords better sport. A 

 A beach drive of 30 miles as level as Broadway; cars and 

 boats at command for any point and a guide, can he ob- 

 tained at a reasonable price. Sportsmen, pay us a visit, 

 and you will be satisfied. B. R. B. 



Califoknia — San Francisco, Sept. 15th.— Game is more 

 abundant in this State than it has been for some years 

 past. I have just returned from a ten da>s' trip in Mendo- 

 cino county. My bag consisted of 10 deer, 11 grouse, 52 

 pigeons, 65 lowland and 21 mountain quail. Fished but 

 little, but caught trout enough for camp use, with but lit- 

 tle trouble. E. 'Iuthill Dudley. 

 _ — » 



PIGEON MATCHES. 



Match for the Championship Badge. — Captain Bo- 

 gardus having very generously "put up" the champion- 

 ship badge won by him in 1871 and since defended against 

 all comers, it was shot for in a sweepstakes match at Deer- 

 foot Park, Long Island, on Wednesday of last week. Four 

 gentlemen appeared to contend against the captain, but it 

 was of no avail, the badge remains with its former and 

 rightful possessor. The contestants were, besides the 

 holder, Messrs. Greene Smith, of Peterboro, N. Y ; J. A. 

 Nichols, Syracuse, N. Y. ; J. E. Hudson of the same place, 

 and C. F. Wheale, of Cleveland, Ohio. The conditions of 

 the match were that each contestant should shoot at 30 

 single birds at 21 yards rise, and 12 double at 18 yards, all 

 wild birds, and $100 entrance fee, half of which went to 

 the second man. The scores were as follows: — 

 "Name. Single. Double. 



Capt. A. H. Bogardus 30 



C.P. Wheale 29 



J. E. Hudson 30 



J. A. Nichols 28 



Greene Smith 26 



New Jersey. —One of the most important contests at 

 trap shooting, to us, was recently decided at Hope wed, N. 

 J., between the following named gentlemen, viz.: Mr. 

 John Nichol and Mr. John E. Sidmau, of New York, vs. 

 Mr. R. A. Drake, of Hopewell, and Mr. James Morgan, of 

 Brooklyn. Its importance to us was in the fact that the 

 shoot was for a terrapin supper, with "chicken fixias," lor 

 the four competitors, and ourself as umpire. The shoot- 

 ing was at 19 tame pigeons each, 21 yards rise, 80 yards 

 bounds, li ounces shot. Score as follows:— 



22 



2i 



l a 

 18 

 17 



Total. 

 52 

 51 

 48 

 46 

 43 



Name. ' Killed. 



Mr. Nichol 14 



Mr. Sidman 8 



Total 22 



Name. 

 Mr. Drake... 

 Mr. Morgan" 



Killed. 



8 



16 



Total 34 



It may not be amiss to state that during the shooting an 

 intermission of an hour was taken to examine into the 

 merits of a chicken pie, and that the short score of two ol 

 the shooters may be attributed to too much pie. 



—There will be a Pigeon Shooting Tournament at Lou- 

 isville, Ky., on the 10th, 11th and 12th msts., open to the 

 world. The purses aggregate $8,000 in cash, and are di- 

 vided into six class matches, all at single rises. Further 

 particulars can be obtained by addressing Z. T. Thoma- 

 son, Frankfort, Ky. 



A New G^n.— As there is considerable inquiry at the 

 present time for a combined rifle and shot gun, we would 

 suggest to such of our city readers as are interested to call 

 on Messrs. Eaton, Holberton & Co., No. 102 Nassau street, 

 and examine such a gun, now on exhibition there, the 

 work of Messrs. Nichols & Lefever, of Syracuse. 



RIFLE BARREL FOR SHOT GUNS. 



St. Joseph, Mich,, September llth. 

 Editob Forest and Stream:— 



I wish to call out responses from the practical sportsmen among jou 

 readers who have nsed No. 14 or 16 gauge breech loaders. My * b °° a "J 

 is principally docks, pigeons, and squirrels, at long range, and inav 

 been u»ing a heavy No. 32-gauge breech-loader, shooting heavy chaig 

 from metal shells for ducks 1 find the weight of ammunition lor 

 day's shooting together with the weight of my gun is too much of a loa . 

 lam well satisfied with the shooting of my 14-gauge, but I want 

 know if as good penetration and pattern, although covering smaller e - 

 face can be obtained from a 16-gauge gun. I have fo-md that a sum 

 tube rifled and fitted into the left barrel of a shot gun ma ^f." a ^ ei | 

 convenient and effective weapon for deer or bear shooting. This tu ^ 

 well fitted can be inserted or removed in a few minutes. I use a «_ ^ 

 bre, 75-grain shell with a very long bullet cast swayed on the pnnoip 

 the hollow express bnl'et, so that upon striRing an animal it fla tteuP 

 and the force of the charge is expended in tearing a large wound, 

 bear shooting 1 charge theae bullets with an explosive compound. 



JobnH. LBS. 



