380 



■m 



FOKJKS1 AJNJJ SlfflBlffi 



In practice it is a mistake* and here Mr. Bigby comes in 

 for a good share of common sense, which I know he pos- 

 sesses. Now suppose we have considered all things else, 

 does any one begrudge their mechanics and laborers the 

 mere pittance thev receive for doing the exquisite and com- 

 plicated work on the goods under consideration. Do any 

 of us wish to see American artisans reduced to the same 

 extremity ? How many of us in wandering through that 

 great exhibition thought of the weary fingers, the hungry 

 mouths, and we add the smarting backs, that toiled over 

 the fabrics of that great show of the world. These are 

 unpleasant thoughts, and over them we must throw a veil 

 of forgetfulness or our hearts will sink to nothingness and 

 our great and successful show will turn out a failure. 



L. L. Hepburn. 



["We fear that Mr. Hepburn is but an occasional reader of 

 Forest and Stream, or he never would have accused us 

 of extolling imported guns, or anything else, to the disad- 

 vantage of home manufacturers. If he will take the 

 trouble to look over our files, which we trust are preserved 

 in the manufactory over which he presides, he will find 

 that we have spoken in equally high terms of guns of 

 American manufacture, where prices were equal, as of any 

 of foreign make. Why, have we not within a few week 

 retained for a week in this office an American gun ordered 

 for a friend, and called editorial notice to the same, from the 

 fact that we desired every one to see what a beautiful 

 piece of work was now being turned out for the low price 

 of fifty dollars? Have we not extolled the Remington, 

 the Parker, the Clark & Sneider, the Fox, the Lefever, the 

 Dane, and who knows how many more guns of American 

 manufacture? It is not a week since we complimented 

 Mr. Sneider in his own shop in Baltimore on the beauty 

 of workmanship displayed in his guns, and if Mr. Hep- 

 burn will look back not more than a month in our files he 

 will see attention called to at least three other guns of 

 American manufacture. Mr. Hepburn, and other captious 

 critics, should take into consideration the fact that an ed- 

 itor who is repeatedly asked for an opinion occupies no 

 easy position. He cannot be supposed to be free from 

 preferences any more than another, yet he must do strict 

 justice to all. The letter which appears to have caused 

 Mr. Hepburn's ire was written by a gentleman who was 

 one of the judges of guns at the Centennial. His remarks 

 and comparisons referred entirely to the English exhibits, 

 and none were drawn between them and American manu- 

 facturers. He spoke of the Belgian guns, and said they 

 would stand first as low-priced guns; but Americans don't 

 want guns ranging from one dollar and eighty cents to sixty 

 dollars each. Mr. Hepburn says that it is fortunate for 

 American gunmakers that we do not represent the average 

 American sportsman, but only the higher and wealthier 

 class. We question whether American gunmakers will 

 agree with him, and if Messrs. Nichols & Lefevre, Messrs. 

 Clark & Sneider, or the American Arms Company, or any 

 other maker, will give us their views on the subject and 

 state who their customers through Forest and Stream 

 are, we should be glad to have them do so. However, be 

 that as it may, we believe we are speaking correctly when 

 we say that the average American gunmaker wants the cus- 

 tomer who buys the highest priced guns. 



As for the triplex lever of which Mr. Hepburn speaks so 

 contemptuously, we can only say that we should prefer on 

 that point the testimony of, say Capt. Bogardus, or some 

 other man who shoots with one, and who kills his thous- 

 ands of birds every year. In a word, we claim that this 

 paper has always been the champion of American manu- 

 facturers, as witness the "American Ammunition" (Vol. 5, 

 page 216 and following numbers) and other questions we 

 have discussed. Mr. Hepburn, as representing perhaps 

 the largest manufactory of rifles and shot guns in thi3 

 country, is entitled to be heard, and we wish him to take 

 our reply in the same spirit in which, we trust, his remarks 

 were written. — Ed.] 



b MmmL 



—From complaints we are daily receiving we are led to 

 believe that much valuable matter intended by tho writers 

 for this and other departments of our paper has never 

 reached the printer's hands. Our friends are justly an- 

 noyed at our seeming indifference to their contributions. 

 The cause is owing to their not having addressed their let- 

 ters to The Forest and Stream Publishing Company, as re- 

 quested by a standing notice heading our editorial page. 

 Had they done so they would have received attention 



of some kind at once. 



+ *+• 



A New York Bench Show.— We had hoped to announce 

 in this issue the date of a Bench Show to be held by the 

 Westminster Kennel Club. Owing, however, to some pro- 

 posed alterations in the Hippodrome, the place proposed, the 

 lessee, Mr. Sheridan Shook, can not name to the committee 

 of the Club for a week yet the precise date on which the 

 building will be available for the purpose. We are assured, 

 however, that the show will be held early in March, with 

 Mr. Lincoln to superintend the details. There is no place 

 in the world equal to tke Hippodrome for such a purpose, 

 and with the liberal prizes which the Club propose to offer, 

 it should be a very grand affair. 



-***- 



Poisoning Dogs. — Our correspondent, "Smoke Stack," 

 writes us from Titus ville, Pa., that last week seven of the 

 most valuable dogs in that part of the State were poisoned. 

 Among them was Mr. L. Beaumont's pointer Quail, a dog 

 which cost his owner $350. We hope the miscreant will 

 be discovered. Our correspondent tells a good joke about 

 §m of the Tittisyiile sportsmen, who, under the impreisioii 



that the charge had been drawn from his gun, bantered 

 another to shoot at his hat, when the taker quiet y slipped 

 in an Ely shell, and quickly made a sieve of a new Phila- 

 delphia tile. 



Sleapord. — This fine pointer, who took first prize in the 

 small pointer class at the late Birmingham Show, has been 

 purchased for the St. Louis Kennel Club, and will shortly 

 arrive in this country. Sleaford was bred by Mr. J. H. 

 Whitehouse, whose name is a household word in connec- 

 tion with pointers, and is by Macgregor (894 E. K. C. S. 

 B.) out of Nina (1253). We have not heard the price paid 

 for him, but as his catalogue price was £1,000, it must 

 have^been something stiff. Sensation and FlaKe will now 

 have to look out for their laurels. 



■ «*►*•- — 



St. Louis Kennel Club.— At last advices the gyps Polly 

 and Sue of the Waddell & Sherwood Kennel, were at St. 

 Louis visiting Rock; also Pickles and Kate, belonging to 

 Mr. F. C. Demuth, and Kirby, belonging to Capt. Foster, 

 of Leesburg, Ya. Mr. Von Culin's Fire Fly was tdso vis- 

 iting Elcho. 



.»♦♦. _ 



—Mr, Robert Wray, of Pittsburgh, claims the name of 

 Flora for his setter gyp out of Eaton's Fairy, by W. G. 

 Sargent's Mike. We cannot give the pedigree our corres- 

 pondent desires. 



♦*-•» 



THE MERIDEN BENCH SHOW. 



The Beneh Show of dogs took place at West Meriden, 

 Connecticut, on the 2d and 3d of January, under the 

 auspices of the Meriden Poultry and Pet Stock Club. 

 A ? though considerable interest was taken in the affair by 

 local sportsmen, and quite a number of good dogs ex- 

 hibited, still, it is to be hoped, that at the next show there 

 will be a greater number of dogs on hand, for Meriden and 

 vicinity is full of them, and some very good ones too. A 

 number of fine dogs were exhibited, comprising setters, 

 pointers, retrievers, terriers, etc., to the number of seventy- 

 five or more. The following is the list of prize winners: — 



Native Setters— First premium dog, Geo. and Charles 

 Foster; second, J. H. Seymour; third, W. P. Clark. 

 First premium bitch, Geo. and Charles Foster; second, E. 

 C. Bingham; third, w. E. Miller. First premium dog pup, 

 Dr. G. H. Wilson; second, G. L. Strong. 



Pointers Over 50 Pounds — First premium, Kelson 

 Cornwell; second, James MaPey; third, F. Stevenson, Jr. 

 First premium bitch, S. H. Alger. 



Pointers Under 50 Pounds — First premium, dog, 

 Isaac Ferguson; second, N. A. Roberts; third, James 

 Malley. First premium bitch, Amos Ives. First dog pup, 

 G. L. Strong. 



Setters in Braces— First premium brace, George and 

 Charles Foster; second, Dr. G. H. Wilson. 



Our correspondent writes:— 



Much surprise was manifested by sportsmen on account 

 of Dr. Wilson's liver and tan dog not taking a premium in 

 the native setter class. He is a noble looking dog, and it was 

 confidently expected by many that he would receive the 

 first prize. If the above award occasioned surprise, the 

 award in the native setter puppy class beat it all to pieces. 

 In this class Mr. G. L. Strong's black and tan dog pup 

 was unmistakably the "boss," and how he came to be 

 beaten by such a looking dog (a white and red mottled 

 pup, owned by Dr. G. H. Wilson), is something wonderful 

 to believe. The following were accorded special prizes: — 



Best pointer under fifty pounds, I Ferguson; best native 

 setter bitch, E. C. Bingham; best native setter dog, E. 

 G. and C.Foster; second best pointer under fifty pounds, 

 N. A. Roberts; best native setter pup, Dr. G." H. Wil- 

 son; best brace of setter dogs, G. and C. Foster. 



"Pete," the champion black pointer, was exhibited, but 

 not in competition for prizes. His progeny were out in 

 full force. Dr. Cochran's (of Springfield,) pointer was 

 also shown. He is not much of a beauty, but is said to be 

 a fine field dog. 



Mr. E. E. West's English retriever won the prize in his 

 class. The judges on dogs were E. H. Lathrop, of Spring- 

 field, and that veteran sportsman, James Warburton, of 



New Briton. 



.»*.*. , 



BENCH SHOWS. 



I do not know under whose auspices the contemplated 

 New York Bench Show is to be held, but hope that some 

 of the gentlemen of the Forest and Stream will be offici- 

 ally connected therewith, in which case one may with 

 reason expect to see some improvements upon the system 

 of judging, classifications, and general arrangements of the 

 Bench shows that have been held in this country, at most 

 of which originality rather than excellence seems to have 

 been aimed at in some important respects. If, at the out- 

 set, the English system and rules had been adopted, a good 

 example would have been given to those following, with 

 the opportunity of making such changes as experience and 

 local requirements would suggest as desirable, and with the 

 result, 1 believe, of a much higher degree of excellence 

 than has yet been obtained. 



Those of our sportsmen who have witnessed Bench 

 Shows in Great Britain or Europe, will appreciate how 

 much room for improvement there is with us. For in- 

 stance, in the matter, and most important one, of judging, 

 how much mere gratifying to the public, as well instruc- 

 tive to sportsmen, if the awards are announced upon the 

 first public day. And the owners of dogs entered should be 

 as well pleased, although necessarily the majority of them 

 are not winners of prizes, than if the awards are made 

 public at the close, or even after the close of the exhibi- 

 tion. 



Naturally, such exhibitions are very largely supported 

 by those making breeding a business, being the best 

 possible advertising medium and means of sales; and such 

 breeders can make the best exhibit in quantity, and very 

 often in quality. Many sportsmen who shoot over dogs 

 every season, and fine one's too, have very little of the 

 knowledge of dogs requisite to be able to judge well of 

 their merits, unless it may be in the field, and these sports- 

 men will purchase dogs upon the judgment of others, when 



they are convinced that such judgment is superior and 

 trustworthy. Then there are many sportsmen justly proud 

 of their choice stock, who exhibit solely for the honor that 

 their pets may win, and if disappointed in not winning a 

 prize, yet please i at a high number of points awarded. 

 The judges should perform theii duties 'ere the public is 

 admitted, and should have no information furnished them, 

 in regard to the dogs, except as regards their classification, 

 the number of points awarded te each dog should be given 

 in detail upon a card affixed to each bench, the bench 

 being numbered as per card and catalogue. Then the 

 public, paying to see the exhibition which is supposed to 

 be given for them, will derive knowledge that will add to 

 their entertainment. I have spoken particularly of sports-, 

 men in this connection, since they compose a large propor- 

 tion of those interested, but they are by no means exclusive, 

 either as exhibitors or spectators. In this country of 

 magnificent distances, it would be greatly conducive to the 

 success of Bench Shows, as well as rendering them of more 

 than a comparatively local character, if the railroad or 

 express companies would furnish facilities for owners of 

 dogs to transport them safely and cheaply, which at present, 

 can only be done in a few localities, unless the dogs be ac- 

 companied by the owner or attendant, and even in that 

 case too often the element of cheapness — quite important 

 to many — is an unknown quantity. A dozen years ago 

 one could usually take a dog into the smoking car, where 

 I have never known a well bred dog to be considered in 

 the least as a nuisance by the passengers, nor other than 

 an agreeable companion. 



I have seen in Scotland, cars with compartments con- 

 structed under the flooring between the wneels, after the 

 manner of such as are sometimes used in this country for 

 storing tools, and into these compartments the dogs are 

 locked, safe from the danger of being abused or stolen, or 

 of being crushed or smothered, and made comfortable by 

 a bed of clean straw. Forest and Stream is doing much 

 by its reports and criticisms, to improve the character of 

 Bench Shows, and further the growing interest in them, 

 and I contribute my mite as suggestions of some of the 

 possible improvements that I hope to see adopted. 



Roamer. 



[Had our correspondent been present at the late Baltimore 

 Bench Show, he would have found that in almost every 

 particular he mentions the arrangements were perfect. Aa 

 regards posting up the number of points given by each 

 dog, where there are a large number of entries, and the 

 judging is done single handed, it would be a difficult matter 

 to foot up all the points, and at the same time announce 

 the awards immediately. This, however, could easily be 

 done before the close of the show. At all Bench Shows 

 there are always dogs exhibited that the veriest tyro in 

 such matters can see at a glance should have been left at 

 home. The judge will at once discard these, and confine 

 himself to the better specimens. But if all, good, bad and 

 indifferent, are to be examined critically for an award in 

 points, much valuable time would be wasted, and the 

 awarding of the premiums delayed.— Ed.] 

 -»♦<«• 



EXPRESS CHARGES ON DOGS. 



January 6th, 1877. 

 Editor Forest and Stream:— 



I noticed in the last issue of your valuable paper, an 

 article on the Expressageof Dogs, and as I have frequently 

 been imposed on by the Express Companies, it gives me 

 much pleasure to see so important a subject taken hold of 

 by you. Nothing seems to sportsmen more trouble than 

 the transportation of his dogs. A few day's since I paid 

 Adams Express seven dollars and a half ($7.50) for the 

 transportation of a setter from Newport, Rhode Island, to 

 within a few miles of Albany, which seems to me an out- 

 rageous charge. Again, if a man takes his dogs with him, 

 he must hand them over to the charge of the * 'Baggage 

 Master," and receives neither a written check, receipt, or 

 anything else. Why cannot a dog be checked the same as 

 a trunk, and a charge te made for him the same as for 

 extra baggage? 



At present when traveling with a dog, the railway 

 employees seem to take pleasure in throwing obstacles in 

 your way; no one can tell you what to do with it, except 

 that it cannot be taken in the passenger car, and you are left 

 to hunt up the baggage man, and to try and induce him 

 as a special favor to take the animal. Hoping that you 

 will continue to agitate the subject, and thas a reform 

 may take place in the light direction, I am, gentlemen, 



Crack Shot. 



Scottsville, Pa., Jan. 9th, 1877. 

 Editor Forest and Stream:— 



In "C S. K.'s" letter, dated Washington, D. C, Dec. 

 26th, 1876, he desires the "information promulgated" with 

 reference to "Express fares on dogs." Heverily believesthe 

 Express Companies impose upon the people in making out- 

 rageous charges on dogs. Having had considerable ex- 

 perience and knowledge of the inward working of tke ex- 

 press business in days gone by, will, by your permission, 

 and for the benefit of "hunters," endeavor to throw some 

 light upon the question at issue. The printed instructions 

 furnished by an Express Company, under which all agents 

 act, is precise and to the point, as far as I can remember: 



"Dogs in boxes, weighing less than one hundred pounds, 

 charge double classification rates; when weighing one 

 hundred pounds and over, charge double freight rates. 

 Dogsaiot in boxes, to be estimated at one hundred pounds 

 each, and to be charged at double freight rates, but not 

 less than $2.50 for any distance." In ninety -nine cases out 

 of a hundred— the shipmeut of dogs by express— the owner 

 does not accompany. He goes as a passenger, and his 

 dog in the baggage car, where he is classed at baggage 

 rates, a matter entirely different. But, when a "hunter" 

 on board of a train, not wishing to be burdened by the 

 care of his dog, turns him over to the Express Company—- 

 perhaps on board same train — the business transaction is 

 of a different complexion entirely. 



The railroad ticket agent will tell you the fare to B is 



so much. If an express agent desires to go to B ■, he 



must pay that rate of fare or remain at home. If the rail- 

 road ticket agent is desirous of shipping his dog per ex- 

 press, the express agent will tell him the charges to B — -- 

 is so much, and he must pay the Express Company their 

 charges,, or his dog will not be received or shipped. Each 

 and every Bailroad Company and Express Company Mv% 



