FOREST AND STREAMS 



2)5 



htTB nnd ^rugging. 



—A few days ago a man who left San Francisco two 

 years ago to visit the Centennial Exhibition arrived at 

 Pittsburg, Pa., with a wagon load of pelts. He had hunted 

 and trapped all along the way, making the journey in easy 

 stage3. 



—The number of seal skins which annually pass through 

 San Francisco for London is 150,000. 



Canada.— A party of trappers who came into Brace- 

 bridge, Ontario, on Sunday, 22d October, had caught seven 

 beavers, besides other furs. They reported that beavers 

 abounded from High Falls to Duck Shoot. They went 

 back to have a clear country to themselves, but found that 

 the further north they went the more trappers they met. 



The latest enactments of the game laws of the Province 

 of Quebec provide that "no otter shall be hunted, trapped 

 or killed between the first day of May and the first day of 

 October, in any year; no beaver between the thirtieth of 

 April and the first of September; no muskrat between the 

 first of June in any year, and the first of April following, 

 for the districts of Quebec, Saguenay, Chicoutimi, Mont- 

 magny, Kamouraski, iiamouski and Gaspe, and between 

 the first of May in each year, and the first day of April 

 following, for the remainder of the Province." 



Minnesota. — Trappers and sportsmen will undoubtedly 

 be interested in the news that large numbers of wolves are 

 reported on the Kettle river, a branch of the St. Croix. 



Fashions in Furs. — The black marten fur remains 

 the most stylish of the low-priced furs . This is also known 

 as Alaska sable, but is really made of the skin of the pole- 

 cat. The buyer must be sure that it is thoroughly deodor- 

 ized, otherwise it will give out a disagreeable smell on 

 approaching the fire. The long round boa and muff cost 

 from $14 to $24. Of all the curled black furs in fashion a 

 few years ago under the general name of Astrakhan, the 

 black Persian lamb is the only one that is still used; it is 

 more handsomely waved than the others, and is very glossy. 

 The black Persian muffs are $10, and boas are the same 

 price. Black Persian lamb sacques are liked by old ladies 

 for their warmth, and by those wearing mourning; a good 

 one costs $40. 



Fur-lined wraps are shown in a variety of shapes, and 

 also of mate v ial both for the outside and lining. Until the 

 present season almost the only fur lining used was the petit 

 yris, or gray and white squirrel lock, made principally of 

 the white belly of the animal. Now furriers use the wnole 

 animal, and comniend it . Furriers charge for lining sacques 

 with squirrel loci", fur from $45 to $75, according to the 

 shading of the fur. For lining long cloaks the cost is from 

 $70 to $100. 



Fur linings for silk wraps, however, are by no means 

 confined to the modest squirrel. The luxurious chinchilla 

 is used by those who can afford the outlay of $400; and 

 one imperial garment is shown with a lining of the beauti- 

 ful silver-fox fur, such as the imperial family of Russia 

 use. This is a circular of black silk with broad Russia 

 collar of the blacker parts of the fur. The furriers were 

 five years collecting enough of these rare skins to make the 

 proper shading for this sybaritic lining. The price is 

 $1,200. Auother circular at the same price has a lining of 

 Hudson Bay sable tails, with border of the same. A cloak 

 with lining and collar of blue fox is $750. One with sable 

 lining (without the tails), and widely bordered with the 

 richest sea-otter, is $1,000. A superb garments is an even- 

 ing cloak of white Sicnieustr lined with royal ermine, and 

 showing a broad band of the same; price $350.— Harpers 

 Bazar. 



M cw Utthlitxtions. 



BOOKS RECEIVED. 



Choke-Bore Guns, by W. W. Greener, Cassel, Petter & 



Galpin, London, Paris and New York. 



Mr. Greener in his last work has supplied a want which has been ap- 

 parent ever since the introduction of the system of choke boring guns, 

 viz. : some tangible information as to the process itself and the results 

 obtained. A large portion of his book is, to be sure, given up to a de- 

 scription of the Field, and other gun trials, in which his own guns were 

 victorious and this reitera'ion of matter, with which all sportsmen have 

 been made familiar, is prob ibly the least interesting part. Nor can it 

 be decided that the work as a whole is eulogistic and an advertisement 

 of Mr. Greener's own manufactures. Still, we can pardon this for the 

 sake of really valuable information which it contains. Diagrams are 

 given showing the manner in which the "choke'' is produced, and by 

 which the system can be uiideistood at a glance, and the different modes 

 are fully described . Mr. Greener claims that the principles cf choke- 

 boring were known to some of the early Spanish gun- barrel makers, 

 and he disposes of The pretentions of a rival English maker to have been 

 the inventor by quoting from M. de Marrolles, author of La Chasse au 

 Fu c U, a work published a century ago, in which the manner of produc- 

 ing closer shootine guns by manipulating the interior of the barrel near 

 the muzzle is described. Mr. Greener claims that guns properly bored 

 can be made to shoot alike every time, or at most, with not more than 30 

 Ehots variation from the lowest to the highest pattern. He recommends 

 the full chokes when very long shots are required, and the modified for 

 short ranges and covert shooting, and claims that the latter will shoot 

 better than the best guns bored on the old plan. An interesting chapter, 

 from which we would quote at length did our space permit, is on the 

 effect of choke-boring on the charge of shot, the deductions in which 

 appear to have been arrived at by most careful experiments. Targets 

 are given showing the patterns obtained by boring or "choking" to differ- 

 ent degrees and under varying conditions. Mr. Greener is severe upon 

 concentrators of all kinds, particularly those of American manufacturers, 

 and give* directions how to load for long-range shooting. He considers 

 laminated steel barrels as the most suitable for choke- bore guns, being 

 harder and more tenacious than Damascus, and therefore better able to 

 resist the strain of heavy charges, and less liable to lead. 



We commend the book to our readers as a valuable addition to the 

 sportsman's library, and as one from which much useful informatien can 

 be derived. The price is $3. 50, and it can be had from tbe publishers or 

 through this effice. 



How to Sing ; or The Voice and Hoav to Use Tt. By 



W. H. Darnell. S. R. Wells & Co., 7>-7 Broadway, New York. 



This is a book that every one interested in the study of music could 

 read with profit. It is explicit, logical, and many valuable hints are 

 given. It shows that loud singing is not music, but noise, and I hat 

 method is the natural law that governs the individual voice. The writer 

 expresses our views of the tremolo when he says "it is the result of an 

 overstrained voice, and we should depreciate it instead ef copying some 

 passe singer who could not render a song in a firm, clear style." The 

 ^orfe is founded on common sense, and we wish it siicces*. 



MAGAZINES. 



The November Naturalist contains as its leading article 

 "A Remarkable Life History," by Dr. W. K. Brooks, detailing the cu- 

 rious growth of Salpa and its mode of successful generation through a 

 series of different forms; it is the same subject which Dr. Brooks dis- 

 cussed more abstrusely in a "paper" some time ago which was reviewed 

 in these columns, and which speaks very highly for the writer's accu- 

 rate and close powers of observation. Concluding his discussion of the 

 reasons why the prairies exist as such, and are never encroached upon 

 by adjoining forests, Prof . J. D. Whitney, whose opinion has great 

 weight in this matter, offers the explanation that the cause is to 

 be found in the soil, which, on the prairies, is so fine that trees will not 

 thrive; why, is not for him to decide, and says that the "islands" of for- 

 est in a prairie country t<re found where the soil is locally coarser, hav- 

 ing become so owing to the draining away of tbe finest particles,or other 

 causes which can generally be accounted for. It is an exceedingly inter- 

 esting essay, and valuable to every one. Another article of pooular in- 

 terest and importance is Mr. George H. Perkins's "Hygiene of House 

 Plants." He concludes that house plants are not injurious except as 

 they increase the carbonic acid in the house, and are positively useful as 

 they pour aqueous vapor into dry air, and as demanding plenty of light 

 and air, they cause many a dark and damp room to be well lighted and 

 a.red. The writer insists also upon the constant moral benefit to be de- 

 rived from the cultivation of beautiful flowers, the influence of which is 

 towards gentleness and good. Dr. C. C. Abbott explains the use of one 

 of the puzzling prehistoric relics of the Indians which he figures to be 

 that of a sceptre of rank, and compares it with other Indian insignia. 

 The editor gives an account of "The Great Salt Lake in Former Times," 

 showing its former wider extent and its freshness. The "General 

 Note.*" on botany, zoology, geology, etc., are of unusual interest, and 

 justify the magazine's promises for another year. 



— ♦ — • 



No Notice Taken of Anon vino us Communication*. 



H. J. , New York.— Please let me know"! the price of the "Complete 

 American Trapper," by William II. Gibson, and where to get it? Ans? 

 $1.'<5; can be sent from this office . 



G. C. P., New York. — Will you have the goodness to inform me where 

 I may find one of the best gun case makers in this city? Ans. Thom- 

 son & Sons, No. 301 Broadway, New Yoik. 



£ J. Van A., Newburgh.— Can you tell me where I can procure a speci- 

 men copy of La Chasse lllustree in this country. Ans. At Brentano's, 

 33 Union square, this city. We have mailed you a copy. 



S. C. H., Washington.— la answer to your inquiry last week for cock- 

 er spaniels we would say that you can obtain them from M. P. McKoon 

 of Franklin, Delaware county, N. Y., or Robert Walker, of the same 

 place. 



D. T. M., Hyde Park, Pa.— Where can I get a book treating upon the 

 habits of game, etc., so that I can form an idea; also the price. Ans. 

 Frank Forester's 'American Game m Season." Orange Judd & Co., 

 this city. 



Jack, Salem, Mass.— Please inform me who are the beat makers of 

 breech-loading single barrel shot guns, and about the price. Ans. The 

 Phenix gun; price about $15, is the best we know of. Messrs. Merwin, 

 Hurlburt & Co., of this cry are agents. 



Joe.— There is excellent quail shooting in many parts of Maryland. 

 Just now we happen to ha vt. a letter from Joseph K . Bramble of East 

 New Maiket, Dorchester county, who promises excellent quail shooting 

 in the vicinity, with boaid for sportsmen and their dogs, and livery if 

 desired. 



Hector. Philadelphia.— My setter dog Is troubled with both the tape 

 and round worms, and I have given him medicine which produces no 

 improvement or cure. Will you kindly advise me as to some sure remedy 

 and ever oblige. Ans. Have mailed to you some aieca nut, which, if 

 given as directed, will effect a cure. 



A. B., Galveston.— Will you please let me know whether two guns of 

 different weight and length, gauge being the same, will burn different 

 quantities of powder? Ans. Tne longest barrel will burn the most 

 powder, but not necessarily with better pattern and penetration. 



J. M. D., Louisville, Ky.— Please let me know whether I can get good 

 duck shooting between Louisville and Memphis, either on the Ohio or 

 Mississippi river, and the best time to go? Ans. We do not know, but 

 in Hardin county, in the southern and eastern portion of Tennessee 

 near Hamburg or Pittsburg Landing, you will find some good duck 

 shooting in November. 



E. II. N., Brooklyn. — 1. Please inform me what gauge and weight 

 gun to get for general shooting, but more especially for ducks, breech- 

 loader? 2. What charge you would think best for a breech loader, 10 

 gauge, 10 pounds, 32£ inch barrel, for shooting ducks? Ans. 1. Ten 

 gauge, weigning from 8£ to 9 pounds. 2. Try 5 drachms < f powder and 

 H oz. shot. 



J. W. G., Middtetown, N. Y.— What is the reputation of Gurney & 

 Son as breech-loading gunmakers, and where are their works located? 

 A friend of mine has a gun marked Gurney & Son, and neither of us has 

 ever yet heard of that firm or seen their advertisement in any paper. 

 Ans. We have never heard of the makers you mention, and believe 

 there is no such firm. 



;H.D.P., Brooklyn.— Will you please give me in your next issue an 

 answer to the following questions: 1. What is considered to be the 

 proper length of a setter's tail? 2. What is the length of head (Irish 

 setter)? Ans. 1. The tail of a medium-sized setter should be about 

 13 inches long, or to reach to the second or hock joint of the hind leg. 

 2. Tbe head of a setter varies from eight to nine inches in length. 



Readeb, Alexandria, Va.--1. Will you be kind pnough to inform me 

 whether there is any caller for wild turkeys manufactured that is better 

 than the wing bone of the turkey, if so, where they can be purchased, 

 and cost of same? 2. Where can Brunswick's "Coast and Pilot" be pro' 

 .cured? Ans. 1. Wekuow of none. 2. We presume you mean Blum's 

 Coast Pilot. It can be had of Messrs. D. Eggerts' Sons, No. 74 Wall 

 street, or any dealer in charts and nautical instruments. 



Ikqtjibee, New York.— Will you please inform me, through the me- 

 dium of your excellent paper, of some of the highest prices paid for 

 hunting dogs. I have made a wager with a gentleman that over $3,000 

 has been paid for an Irish setter, and wish to decide the bet in a reliable 

 manner. Ans. We think you are wrong. While we have heard of sums 

 approximating that yen mention being offered or demanded, we have no 

 authentic case in which over £150, or say ronghly $1,000 currency, has 

 been paid for a dog. 



T. P. M., Harrisburg.— I have a young pointer bitch fire months old; 

 over a week ago she took sick and became costive. I gave it quinine 

 and blue mass, but it don't seem to do any good. Sae is still costive, 

 running at the nose, and small pimples around the mouth on the loner 

 jaw full of matter, the same as she discharges from the nose. Ans. 

 Have mailed to you a remedy which we think will cure your pup. 



G. A. S., Toledo, Ohio.— 1. What is the best preparation for cleaning 

 brass shells? 2. What is the best charge for use iu a 12-gauge single- 

 barrel breech loader, 6J- pounds, length of barrel, 36 inches. I use the 

 Diamond Grain powuer- 3. Who is the maker of the single-barrel 

 breech-loader called the Phoenix? 4. What is your opinion of those 

 guns? 5. Who's powder is the be^t that yon know of? Ans. 1 

 A weak solution of oxalic acid, but the wads will hold better if you do 

 not clean the inside. 2. Use 21 drs. powder and £ or 1 oz. fhot. 3. 

 Messrs. Merwin, Hurlburt & Co. are the agents. We believe they are 

 good guns for the cost. 5. W T e cannot express an opinion; you must 

 determine for yourself by experiment. 



Tegemsee, Bavaria.— Adopting the views of a counsellor at our elbow 

 in preference to our own judgment in our last issue we answered er- 

 roneously your query as to how a competitor in a jumping match should 

 approach an obstacle. We should have stated that in jumping he could 

 run at or clear the cord at any angle or in any position he pleased. Such 

 has been the practice of the leading athletic associations on both sides 

 the water. 



Herbert, Philadelphia.— What is the best and quickest route to 

 Rangely Lakes, in Maine, how many hours are they from New York, 

 how many miles of staging, and about what is thej fare through from 

 New York? Ans. By New Haven Bailroad to Boston via Springfield 

 or Fall River boats and Old Colony Railroad to Boston ; thence Eastern 

 Railroad to Portland, and Maine Central to Farmington; thence stage to 

 Phillips and Green vile, head of Rangely or Oqossoc Lake. Leaving 

 New York at 5 p. m. you reach Rangely second day at noon; 35 miles of 

 staging; fare from Boston to Rangely (Greenville) and return is $14. 



W. E. A., Holyoke, Mass.— As a reader of your valuable paper, you will 

 oblige me by answering the following: 1. I have a Mortimer double muz- 

 zle-loader 26 inch barrels, No. 11 gauge (Laminated barrels). Is the make 

 reliable? 2. Is a pattern of 80 rignt and 95 left barrel a fair average, 1 

 oz. No. 6 shot, 2£- drs. powder 30 inch circle, 40 yards? 3. What would 

 be the probable cost (approximate) of altering to B. L.? Ans. 1. Yes. 



2. Modern guns are bored to makehetter pattern than your Mortimer. 



3. From twenty dollars up to fifty. It depends upon the quality of the 

 gun and the work required. 



iNojriRBR, Pittsburgh.— 1. Is the hunting and fishing worth a visit to 

 Parmachene Lake, Maine? 2. When is tbe best time to go, and the 

 probable cost from this point? 3. What is tbe mixture put on gun bar- 

 rels to give them the brown color? Ans. 1. The fishing was excellent a 

 short time ago; also on the Mtgalloway river en route. Deer and grouse 

 in the fall. 2. June and September are the best months, and the route 

 via Rangely Lakes and up the Megalloway. For cost and route see 

 answer to "Herbert" in this column. 3. Our issue of last week con- 

 tains an article on and recipe for browning gun barrels. 



S. J. P., GoBhen.— I have a dog about seven years old, the size of a 

 pointer, who has a scaly eruption on his back which causes him great 

 suffering, as he keeps constantly scratching and biting, while his whole 

 appearance indicates great suffering. He has had it for three summers, 

 and is much worse now. Will yon be kind enough to inform me what 

 to do for him to make a permanent cure. Ans. Take bazilicon ointment 

 2 oz., flour sulpher $ oz ; add enough spirits of turpentine to make an oint- 

 ment of the proper consistency to be well rubbed into thie skin, which 

 apply after washing tbe parts affected occasionally with carbolic soap; 

 also give your dog ten drops of Fowler's solution of arsenic twice a day 

 for three days. Feed little or no meat, and give him all the exercise you 

 can. 



R. L. N., Salem, Mass.— I have a young spaniel and want to dock his 

 tail. Can't you give me a point or two about performing the operation 

 in good shape. Perhaps the "Squire" can suggest. You may say don't 

 dock it at all, but I want a junk off and want it to look decent. If not 

 too much trouble please advise. Ana. We are decidedly in f?vor of 

 docking the tails of spaniels, as few of this variety have weU propor- 

 tioned tails. A short, compact dog with a long crooked tail never looks 

 well, consequently most spaniels are improved in appearance by docking. 

 The tail should be taken off according to the size of tlie dog and the 

 length of the tail. After fixing upon the point where it should be taken 

 off, turn the hair back and lay the tail on a block, aad with a chisel cut 

 the tail between the joints, the hair will then fall over the end and bide 

 the alteration. 



L. A. B., New York.— Some discussionfchaving arisen as to compar- 

 ative merits of new guns and old, I have tried my old Lecheveux pin- 

 fire, one of the first brought to this country, a 12 gauge, with the follow- 

 ing results, of which please give opinion: Target, 30-inch circle, with 

 centre of shape and size of pigeon; 40 yards, No. 6 shot, 1J oz., 3 dr. 

 powder, right barrel 96 in target, 6 in bird; left, 100 in target 10 in bird; 

 40 yards, No. S shot, 1± oz. ; right barrel, 243 in circle 9 in bird: left, 191 

 in circle 10 in bird; 60 yards, No. 6 shot, l£ oz. 3 dr. powder; right bar- 

 rel 19 in circle none in bird; left, 49 in circle 2 in bird? . Ans. The pat- 

 tern of your gun is excellent, and could only be excelled by a 

 choke-bore of the present day. 



4 !. H. B., New York.— 1. Where are the shooting grounds known as 

 the "Big Piece" and "Little Piece?" 2. Is the color of ordinary rubber 

 boots objectionable in duck shooting? 3. A bets B $10 that he can 

 name 15 States that .will go for Hayes, and $5 each ©n all the other 

 States. Has this net ever been decided to be, and is it a snap or catch 

 bet, and if so, why? Ans. 1. Are in Morris county, N. J., eight miles 

 from Montclair. 2. Those with tan-colored legs would be better than 

 the black ones. 3. It is a snap bet. For instance: A names fifteen 

 certain Tilden States and loses his $10. He then has undoubtedly a 

 large majority of Hayes States left upon which he wins $5 each. For 

 example: say there are 38 States, and they are equally divided, 19 for 

 Tilden and 19 for Hayes. A names 15 Tilden States and loses $10; he 

 then wins en 19 Hayes States and loses on 4 Tilden, cr wins $75. 



Florida, New York.— Will you please tell me where in Florida at a 

 reasonable expense I could camp out and find a good quantity of 

 game, both animals and birds, and a locality where I could change 

 camping ground several times in fifteen or twenty miles? Would have a 

 boat, and would like to be near good streams for ducks, etc. Can every- 

 thing except guns and boats and cooking apparatus be bought there as 

 well as here? I should like to make the acquaintance of two or three 

 persons that would like to camp out in a reasonably economical manner 

 during the winter; start about December 1st, and get back about April 

 1st. What would be the best manner of hearing of such a party? Ans. 

 Go to Bronson or Rosewood on the Fernahdinaj and Cedar Keys Rail- 

 road. Ford keeps a very nice cottage for sportsmen at Rosewood. Yon 

 will be near sea and inland fishing, ducks and game animals of all sorts 

 and sizes. You can get provisions at Bronson, and tents at Cedar Keys, 

 and possibly at Gainesville. We &uppose that a card inserted in this 

 paper, signifying your desire to form a party, would elicit replies, 



"Such a Horse!" was the universal exclamation of the 

 lookers on at a scene which occurred on Grafton street last 

 evening. An old "rack of bones," hauling a dilapidated, 

 old cart, fell down near Prince street, and remained down 

 despite the efforts of its owner to make it stand. There 

 was the usual amount of perspiration and profanity and 

 punishment indulged in, but that horse would not get up. 

 A large crowd collected, composed principally of men-of- 

 war sailors. Some of the Jacks took a hand in at the work 

 of raising the incumbent and recalcitrant Rosinante. They 

 straightened out his legs, and raised him up bodily, but he 

 fell down again without moving a joint. This operation 

 was repeated several times, the poor beast meanwhile 

 bleeding profusely from the mouth. At last the sailors 

 surrounded the animal. Two took hold of his head; others 

 supported his hind quarters; others his fore quarters and 

 sides; and they raised him up, very valuable assistance 

 being rendered by the Jack who had elected himself to the 

 office of tail bearer. Thus they kept the animal on its feet 

 and in the meantime a surprise" party in the shape of oat- 

 meal and water was organized. The party was considered 

 by the horse a decided success, and he devoured the whole 

 of it. Then the sailors rubbed him down, after which he 

 appeared to be a new animal altogether, and nimbly headed 

 northward for the home ot his owner, mz Georae iWaa 



