FOREST AND STREAM. 



137 



far, only," and demure maidens, knitting in the chimney- 

 corners, looked from out the deep frills of their old-fash- 

 ioned caps and said by looks, "and no further." Had they 

 hut known the intense longing in my heart for the warmth 

 of that fire, I hardly think they would have refused me 

 admittance within the charmed circle. 



There are three things that beget successfully delicious 

 Teverie— three things. The murmuring of failing water, a 

 hard-wood fire, and "Vanity Fair." But the fire is king of 

 them all. To sit in front of an open fire-place, watching 

 the logs glow with bright blaze, watching the glowering 

 red coals, the wreaths of flame, the fitful bursts of smoke, 

 recalls all the sunny memories of the past. Many a win- 

 ter's night came before me as I looked into the roaring 

 throat of the fire place; and the days and nights of New 

 England winter — with blustering wind and driving snow 

 and sleet outside the house, but a cheery, glowing flame of 

 hospitality within — were recalled. After the flame comes 

 coals. Glowing with refulgent radiance, from their depths 

 one may draw inspiration for any theme. Denied them, 

 he must seek, as I did in my lonely room, a last resort in 

 "the fragrant smoke of 'Vanity Fair.'" 



Fred Beverly. 

 ■ -»»-*« 



— A great many of our correspondents and visitors complain 

 that they cannot purchase Forest and Stream while travel- 

 ing, even in the large cities. Friends of the paper everywhere 

 can do'it no greater service than to induce the news dealers in 

 their respective towns to keep it on sale. Send to the American 

 Jfews Company for it. Unsold copies are returnable. 



A Fish Dinner. — To-morrow, at the conclusion of the 

 first day's meeting of the American Fish Culturists' Asso 

 ciation, a uinner will be indulged in by the members of 

 the association and invited guests, which will be at once 

 novel and interesting. The dinner will be composed en- 

 tirely of fish, not omitting the succulent oyster. By-the- 

 bye, why don't the association send for that oyster men- 

 tioned by the Cape Ann Advertiser? It was taken recently 

 from its bed (its little bed) at Green Bay, and measured 13 

 inches in length and 17 inches through. Then there will 

 be soup and chowder of the luscious Cheledra,&nd the more 

 homely Oadus morrhua. For a boil we would suggest La- 

 brax lineatus and Salmosalar. Then there will be Lucioperca 

 grisea (a good pan fish) and Centropristes nigricans, Perca 

 Jlavescens and OtoLithus regalis. It is unfortunate, perhaps, 

 that Alosa sapidissima is not in season; but Scomber calias 

 could be substituted for it. At the conclusion of the din- 

 ner the company will be organized as a Fin-nish Commis- 

 sion. The tickets to the dinner are $5 each, and any gen- 

 tleman, whether a member of the association or not, de- 

 siring to test his capacity at the scales can do so by sending 

 his name to B. Phillips, Esq., Judges Pavilion, Centennial 

 Grounds. 



Oh! what an aggregation of brain power will be developed 

 by this feast of fish! What after-dinner speeches may be 

 expected! Heads— tongues— and sounds/ Egad! 



Taming Quail. —A gentleman from Walpole, Mass., 

 was in the office the other day— don't remember his name. 

 We were talking about game turds. He said he had quail 

 in his barn daily which he prevented being disturbed, to 

 feed with his other fowls. He enjoyed their presence, 

 and managed to keep many of them housed and fed every 

 winter, and then let them out to breed in the spring. If 

 one wishes to keep birds around his premises he must 

 sound the lin pan or bell, and spread out the soft meal or 

 seed, as the case may be, in the spring daily. By so doing 

 your small fruits are protected. Why? Because the birds 

 have something to eat, and become gentle and happy 

 around your premises. 



The success which has been met with in various foreign 

 parts of the world as well as at home in taming and do- 

 mesticating wild fowl has been often referred 10 in our col- 

 umns, particularly on pages 68 aud 260 of volume five. 

 «*♦*■ 



That Centennial Fish Show.— Some weeks ago we 

 deplored the failure of the Centennial Aquarium at Phil 

 adelphia. We did it with feeling. We didn't then say 

 how r,be disaster was brought about, though we may have 

 hinted at the cause; but now a little bird has whispered 

 that the expected show was killed by red tape. Superin- 

 tendent Mather was disheartened almost irom the start. It 

 took a month to dig holes for the outside reservoir, which 

 they promised to dig in three days — "when they got at it;" 

 and they talked about getting "a requisition" to bore a 



bunghole in a barrel. That's all. 



.»«-»- 



Homeward Bound.— The Cunard steamship Scythia, 

 which sailed on Wednesday last for Liverpool, had on 

 beard a number of the gentlemen who participated in the 

 late international rifle and rowing contests. Of the Dublin 

 University lowing crew there were Messrs. Charles Barring- 

 ton, CrokerBarrington, W- Barrington, G. Ferguson and A. 

 E. Hicksou. A number of friends from this city and Phila- 

 delphia were at the warf in Jersey City to bid them good- 



by. 



Colonel J. H. A. Macdonald and eight members of the 

 Scottish rifle team were also among the Scythia's passen- 

 gers. The names of the eight were Mr. Daniel Fraser, 

 Mr. William Clark, Mr. Charles Iugran, Mr. Robert Mc- 

 Vittie, Captain Hodgart, Dr. Mitchell, Mr. John Moir and 

 Mr R. Renlon. Quite a number of persons saw them off 

 and wished them a safe return to their homes in Scotland. 



The Wild Rice Culture.— We are gratified to perceive 

 that our efforts to disseminate wild rice culture have met 

 with extended responses from the east and the west; that 

 many gentlemen have had success with their planting ex- 

 periments; and that others are ready to assist in the good 

 work. No doubt valuable results will follow, so far as an 

 increase in wild fowl for shooting is concerned. We print 

 the following interesting correspondence: — 



Brainerd, Minn. , Sept. 18th. 

 Editor Forest and Stream : — 



As Forest and Stream seems to take a good deal of in- 

 terest in the eastern growing of wild rice, I take the lib- 

 erty of sending you Mr. Francis's letter, showing that his 

 attempt has at last been a suceess. I have any amount of 

 rice ready for delivery. Thos. Cantwell. 



Pittsfield, Mass., Aug. 22el. 

 Mr. Cantwell:— 



Dear Sir— I noticed a few weeks since an advertisement from you as 

 ready to furnish wild rice. Through your kmdness last fall I received a 

 bushel, and my experience may be of some benefit to your friends. I 

 was advised by friends (especially Mr. Hallock) to sow both in fall and 

 spring. I did so, say half to each season. That which I put out in fall 

 has come up splendidly, some in three or four feet of water, or on the 

 shore of the lake. I selected muddy bottom and good feeding ground 

 for ducks. This has been a decided success. The seed sown in spring 

 has not done as well, and I would advise sowing broadcast in fall to any 

 depth of water up to five feet. J. Dwight Francis. 



Messrs. D. T. Curtis & Co., seedsmen, of Boston, have 

 made arrangements to keep wild rice on sale for such as 

 wish to plant it. The Indians used to push their canoes 

 into the wild rice and thrash in the canoe for domestic con- 

 sumption, but we are not aware that they do it now, ex- 

 cept as it may be to gather their supply for distribution for 

 replanting in other waters. 



Mr. Valentine, of Janesville, Wis., has recently issued 

 the following circular, which we cheerfully print. — 



Janesville, Wis., Sept. 1st, 1876. 

 Dear Sir.— 



Having had numerous calls from sportsmen throughout the country 

 for wild rice seed. I have this season made arrangements with reliable 

 parties in northern Wisconsin to gather a laige quantity. It will prob- 

 ably be ready for delivery the la.ter part of this month. Price 20 cents 

 per pound here. It weighs considerably lighter than oats. Wild rice 

 will grow in water from six inches to four feet in depth, but the land 

 must be covered with some water the year round. It should not be 

 plan 1 ed where the water freezes to the bottom. It will grow on any 

 kind of bottom, but does best in mud. Before sowing it should be 

 soaked in water until it will sink, to protect it from birds and to prevent 

 its floating away. It can be planted anytime before water freezes. 

 When once well started it will sow itself every fall. Parties ordering will 

 please give full directions for shipping. Richard Valentine. 

 -*>♦♦• 



— Within a month the circulation of Fokest and Stream 

 has very materially increased, indicating, possibly, a general 

 improvement in business. The present is a good time to sub- 

 scribe. The Four Dollars invested will yield ample returns to 

 the investor. 



«♦»-•* ■ 



How "Little Crow" was Killed. — An occasional cor- 

 respondent, "A. D. W.," sends the following statement, 

 which we have every reason to believe is authentic. Little 

 Crow was the Great Chief of the Sioux tribe of Indians, 

 whom we all know inhabit our extreme Northwest, and as 

 the late battle was with this tribe, it will not be out of 

 place to relate this incident: — 



"Some years ago, when this same tribe was showing en- 

 mity to the whites in various ways, a young man in Min- 

 nesota, well known to friends of my own in that State, left 

 home for a short journey and never returned. He was 

 mourned for by a large circle of friends, for he was much 

 respected, and no one knew what had become of him. 

 Some months had passed away, when two white men were 

 riding by a small cranberry swamp and saw a couple of 

 Indians picking the berries. The whites well knew that 

 their lives were in danger, and the younger of the two dis- 

 mounted and crept along slyly until within gun range of 

 the savages. He then fir«d, aud one of tbe Indians fell 

 and the other fled aw*y, but was some weeks afterwards 

 captured, emaciated and almost starved. When questioned 

 he said that his father was Little Crow; that he nad killed 

 the missing young man, and that his father and himself 

 were picking cranberries when the former was killed. 

 This could hardly be believed, that the head of the tribe 

 so dreaded was slain, but the young Indian told the where- 

 abouts of the grave and the body was disinterred, and by 

 unmistakable signs it was found to be that of Little Crow, 

 and it was clad in the coat of the unfortunate young man 

 of whom we spoke. 



"Little Crow's son was kept until he had recovered from 

 his lengthened fasts and then let go. This incident, of 

 course, is true; we had it from one who well knows the 

 Indians." 



—There are probably 40,000,000 of people in the United 

 States who have never heard of Forest and Stream. Let Ihe 

 millions who read it now, go and tell the rest. 



—Sample copies of Forest and Stream will be sent to any 

 one witfiing to emmim it with a view Jo subscribe. 



Fishes op Norway.— We would call attention to the 



article (from a well-known fish culturist) in our columns of 



natural history comparing the fishes of Norwegian waters 



with those of our Northwest, in which there is a striking 



similarity. Some curious coincidences exist between other 



classes of the animals of western Europe and Western 



North America; and, on the other hand, our eastern land 



animals and plants are strikingly like these of northeastern 



Asia, while the barren steppes of Sibeiia and our interior 



plains support similar faunae. We wish we had more such 



careful comparisons as the present, which add greatly to 



our knowledge. 



-*.«- 



—Last week we called the attention of our inland readers 

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

 pression of business, and the 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- 

 vfacture. Further, that a practical sportsman and expert 

 in guns, whom we can thoroughly indorse, will, for a few 

 weeks only, act as purchasing agent. Such persons as 

 may wish to avail themselves of his services will please 

 bear in mind that a full description of the gun wanted, 

 and the sum to be invested, must accompany the order. 

 The weight, length, and bend should be specified. The 



opportunity will be open only for a month. 

 — , .».*. 



Thompson's Boots!— When Jones, X.M. C, of Virginia 

 fame, abandoned his party of friend3 in the woods, he left 

 them his old boots as a legacy, much the worse for wear. 

 We are often reminded of this historical pair of boots by 

 Thompson's suggestive advertisement in our columns. We 

 are confident that if Jones had worn a pair of these boots 

 he might have tramped on forever, and enjoyed a period 

 of comfort indefinite in its duration, or at least as long as 

 he had any sole left for pedestrianism. But, then, what 

 would his friends have done for a legacy? 

 — <*•«• 



— The Illustrated Sporting hew Yorker has some good 

 sketches of the late great match at Creed moor, the b- st of 

 which shows the captains of the foreign teams heaping 

 congratulations upon the Americans. Everybody is fran- 

 tically shaking hands, but Major Leech, under his big hel- 

 met in the foreground, grasping Major Fulton's hand, 

 seems the happiest of all. The artist has caught the dif- 

 ferent portraits capitally. 



-***- 



Currituck Shooting for Sale. — An opportunity is 



offered through our columns for a club to obtain, at a small 



outlay, one of the best shooting properties on Currituck 



sound. 



.«.»-». 



— Let every present subscriber to Fouest and Stream jog 



his neighbors elbow and assert Us worth. 

 ^»»» 



GAME PROTECTION. 



— If every grown male in the United States read the Forest 

 and Stream, every poor man might have fish and game for 

 supper. 



.+•+. 



— Our readers will notice that there has been another 

 change in the popular sportsmen's emporium. Mr. Geo. 

 B. Eaton has sold his interest to Mr. W. H. Beemer, a 

 well-known resident of Sullivan county, in this State. 

 The new firm will, we hope, continue to prosper. Both 

 gentlemen are practical sportsmen, which will be a great 

 advantage to them in their business. This, we believe, is 

 the only place in this city, if not in the country, where 

 everything is kept under the sun that we require, whether 

 for shooting, fishing, camping, or exploring. Prof. Orton, 

 of Vassar College, who is just starting for South America 

 to be gone a year, purchased his entire outfit there. Also 

 "Texas Jack" not long ago fitted himself out for the plains 

 at the same place. We would add that Mr. Holberton is 

 well posted on shooting and fishing localities, andean often 

 give his customers a hint where to go for sport. 



The Hero op Okeechobee Heard From. — Hear what 

 Fred Beverly mutters down in his ravine, at the Hunter's 

 Camp, next column to the right. 



A valued correspondent writes from Indian Lake, Adi- 

 rondacks, complaining of the law-breaking in that sec- 

 tion:— 



"Business having called me into the famous old 'North 

 Woods' last summer, I packed my trunk on a lovely June 

 day, with bright anticipation of glorious sport in the inter- 

 vals of labor. How carefully I selected my flies; how criti- 

 cally I examined my leaders; how lovingly I looked over my 

 rod, with which so many of the speckled beauties have been 

 taken from their liquid home in the water.- of the Pine Tree 

 State! Shortly after my arrival, passing one day up the 

 side of a pond four or five miles in extent, I noticed that 

 a boat was anchored at the mouth of each spring brook 

 that debouched into the pond, and the single occupant 

 thereof was either quietly bait fishing or industriously 

 whipping the water with rod and reel. I was amazed. 

 What! do trout bite here in the middle of a July day, with 

 the sun pouring down a flood of fiery rays into the spark- 

 ling waters? However, I was too far away to inquire, 

 so I repressed my curiosity until a person informed me 

 that each of these worthies had & gill net set near by, and 

 the fishing was only a blind! 



"A residence of two months in these woods has amply 

 confirmed what I was then told. How often have I seen a 

 man — I suppose I must call him a man — with a string of 

 trout, expatiating on the sport he had with such, and such 

 bigone.s; how they run out his 100 feet of line several 

 times before he succeeded in landing them; and all the 

 time with the accursed net, with which he obtainea every 

 fish, in his pocket. His listeners would gather round him 

 and pretend io believe it all; but when his back was turned 

 some one would quietly remark, 'He caught them with a 

 Porter fly!' A shout of laughter from the rest would 

 evince their appreciation of Ihe joke, a 'Porter fly' being, 

 in Adirondack vernacular, a gill net. It is not to be in- 

 ferred that all the residents here are guilty of this infernal 

 practice. There are guides and others who greatly deplore 

 it, but if asked why they do not enforce the law invaria- 

 bly answer that they would be burnt out of house and 

 home, or their lives endangered. But they all hold it as a . 

 point of honor to conceal the facs, as far as possible, 

 lrom visiting sportsmen. Their scarcity is occasioned by 

 the wet, or the drought, or the heat, or the cold; any cause 

 rather than the true one, as they fear if known it would 

 cause a diminution in the number who yearly resort here 

 for the purpose of enjo>ing the delights of trout fishing. 

 Last summer, camping in my own State, I caught some- 

 thing over 300 trout, very few of which weighed less than 

 a quarter of a pound; and that without taking scarcely an 

 hour from my business. Here the result of my fishing has 

 been two trout, one of them four inches long and the 

 other six, both of which I returned to grow until they 

 were large encugh to fill the meshes of the inevitable net. 

 I read with interest 'Piseco's' experiences here the pre** it 

 summer, well knowing the cause of the scarcity of Uou& 

 of which he complains. 



