FOREST AND STREAM 
589 
Canada —Lake Megantic, Quebec. Aug. 8th, 1870.— I 
have just returned from a two days' cruise to the upper 
Spider River, with about thirty pounds of trout, averag¬ 
ing about three to the pound. ' I sow one beaver and sev¬ 
eral moose and deer signs. Both fish and game are fast 
disappearing from this section, as the country— and such 
4 country of rock and boulders 1— is being rapidly settled. 
The energetic endeavors of the Eastern Townships Game 
Protection Club may prevent the total extermination of 
fish and game here for some time to come ; but never will 
game exist again in such numbers as to attract distant 
sportsmen, as the distance is greater and the hotel and 
guide rates quite as high as in either the Maine or Adiron- 
lock regions. Stanstead. 
Oregon — Portland , July 27. — On Friday morning the 
20th, a small party of " Waltonians." Billy B— , BobB— . 
Hal M— , and the writer, might have been seen on the neat 
little steamer Latona. eu route for the thriving hamlet of 
La Center, on Lewis River, W, T, We cast off at 10 a.m. 
sharp, and were soon steaming down the beautiful Wil¬ 
lamette toward the mighty Columbia, and arrived at our 
destination at 4 :20 P.M. and found very good coffee. After 
breakfast the following morning, we threw our traps into a 
lumber wagon, and were ou our way to the “ Crick ” as 
it is called by the natives. After a very tiresome ride of 
four hours, we came to the mouth at Peep Creek, and 
there pitched our camp. The late rains in the spring have 
not yet run out, and as the stream drains a large area of 
country, we saw to our great dismay that there was too 
much water there. But Billy B — cast his brown palmer 
in the water in a very scientific way, and immediately a 
beautiful half-pound trout took it and was soou in Billy’s 
basket. I followed suit ; Boh and Hal then started down, 
and Billy and I up the stream, and when we returned to 
camp at dusk, our catch was : Bob, 25 ; Billy. 11 ; Hal, 1 ; 
and the writer, 14. Every fish taken was over 8 inches in 
length, and the majority over 13. 
But things were not as wo had fondly imagined, and so 
we concluded to go home the following afternoon. We 
fished down to the mill, about two and a half miles from 
the camp, where the team waited for us, and caught about 
thirty more ; two of them, one taken by the writer and 
one by Bob, were over seventeen inches long and very 
heavy. We arrived at La Center that evening and the 
next morning got home, tired but happy, and vowing to 
go to Cedar Creek when the water was down and get 
even. The trout there are of unusual size and veryganiy; 
much more so than in any other creek fished or known of 
by William; Lang. 
Oregon — Astoria, Aug. Ith. —Mountain trout fishing is 
now at its best with us, and in a few days I intend to wet 
a '• Royal Coachman ” in the waters of the Klaskamine. 
C.-J. S. 
—Every one knows that a girl cannot throw a stone. 
Anatomists tell us it is because they are not made for 
throwing stones. But we have known many ladies who 
could cast a fly as skillfully as any masculine adept. The 
Brooklyn young lady who went to Cushing’s Island the 
other day made a brave cast, but all she hooked was 
her own nose. Not believing in the kind of adornment 
affected by more savage belles she followed her nose to a 
surgeon’s office and had herself unhooked from her own 
line. 
Ragging. — The Oswego river method of fishing is.known 
as “ ragging." It is practiced by the farmers’ boys, who 
tie a red rag for a fly and yank out great (quantities of 
rock and black bass. 
BASS FISHING ON NOLIN RIVER, KY. 
Elizabethtown, Kr., Aug. lath. 
Editor Jjhresl-and Stream 
Six of us left here at daylight one morning last April in a two- 
horse spring wagon for n point on Nolin River called Dickey’s 
Mill, forty-two miles Rway. We followed the line of the P. & E. 
It. R. for twenty-six miles over a road that excited only an ordi- 
naryamount of blasphemy, and then, oh! dear, how we evergqt 
over that last sixteen miles, climbing hills and wading mud holes. 
Bui Istarted out to tell you of fisbingand wfll stick to that. Wc 
arrived at the aforesaid mill at 4 o’clock p. nr. and found that 
Providence had favored us and sent our friend, tutor, and general 
guardian angel. Harvey W„ of Millwood, ahead of us as promised 
(no promises from P., of course). Said W. had tent pitched, camp¬ 
fire alight, and hot coffee rendy. That evening we devoted to 
healing wounds, both bodily and socially, for sixteen miles of 
such a road would have caused Damon and Pythias to quarrel. 
An early supper, a pipe and a sound sleep fixed us for business 
next morning and an early start for the dam, where the real busi¬ 
ness of tbe expedition commenced. It Is always monotonous to 
detail the catch, so I shall give the day's total for seven of us. 
Forty bass averaging two poundB each, eighty pounds. Supper, 
tobacco and bed with attendant dreams, fixed us for the second 
day'B sport, in which we averaged or duplicated the previous day, 
making a grand total of one hundred and sixty pounds of bass in 
two days’ fishing. One bass, considered agiant, weighed four and 
a half poundB; from that to three and a half down. It was glori¬ 
ous sport and well paid us for the whole trip. Sunday’s rising sun 
found us hitching up for the long trip home, and the rain was 
falling in that Insinuating manner that calls forth words deep if 
not loud, and tbe sixteen miles were done again, in which the 
firmest friendships were ruptured hopelessly to all appearance. 
Elizabethtown reached in soaking condition, the spoils divided, a 
handshake around, andaR of this trip closed. 
A word or two about.” our bass.” We considered our four and 
a half pounder a prodigy, yet I see by your paper scores are made 
in the bass line, which by weight would make our candidate a 
“ small fish.” It must be that the fish we catch under the appel¬ 
lation of bass is something different. Our big bass measured?! 
inches and weighed 4J pounds. They are called by the natives 
trout, but by fishermen black base. Wo fish for them with 
minnow and float; they will not bite at either spoon or fly, nor at 
minnows oaught from the same stream fished. In spring the foot 
of dams is the only place that they can bo eangbt, while in the 
fall any pool contains them, hut more especially those pools hav¬ 
ing a riffle or gravelly rapid at their heads. We use a multiplying 
reel, usually Meek & Milam, and 100 feet of lipe, a No. 7 hook and 
snelL Wo go again in October and you shall hear the particulars. 
M. 
—-Read Henry C. Stquires’ advertisement.—[Ado. 
igmsuwis td (SflmsirautfMts. 
No Notice Taken of Anonymous Communications. 
Z3$~ We cannot attempt to give specific directions where to go for 
game or fish. Cotrespondents must keep themselves posted by consult¬ 
ing our news columns. 
Wc make no charge for answering inquiries in this column. 
Setters, Boston.—Try rubbing a little crude petroleum on the 
hare places. 
J. P. W., N. Y.—For the Information you want write Fred Mil¬ 
ler, Esq., Union Club, Now York. 
H. F. L.—Nellson’s “ Boat Building for Amateurs ” will come 
nearest your wants. Price, $1,25. 
Swimmer, New York.— Captain Webb and other swimmers oil 
themselves all over with vaseline before entering the water. 
G. N., Grantville, Mass—You will find in the vicinity of Vine- 
land, N. J„ quail and a few partridgos. You must inquire there 
for part icular localities. 
Old Bat.—T he rapid explosionof Dittmar powder when tightly 
rammed appears to be the reason for the bursting of so many 
guns. The wads should only Just feel the powder. 
C. 0. B., Unionvillo, Conn.—As your dog has some uobo a compe¬ 
tent breaker oould probably make something of him. The spike 
collar can be had of Mr. Von Culin, Delaware City, Del. 
Polaris.— Length of sehaoner Frolic on waterline about 44 ft. 
Has raking or overhanging stern and elliptic oounter. Least free¬ 
board 261 in., load line to deck. Above this is about 13 in. bul¬ 
wark. 
8. D. Meroeraburg— General Meyer of tbe Signal Service Bureau, 
Washington, D. C., has used Lyman's bow facing rowing gear and 
may give you his experience with it. Or will some of our readers 
oblige. 
Sheldrake, Lynn,—Whereshalllsond for copy of London Field 
of May 10th. It has a report of a trial of small bores, 16 and 20 
against 12 and 10. Ana. London Field can be obtained from 
August Brentano, 39 Union Square, New York. 
A. R. S., Gouldsborough, Pa.— Block (bass culture is purauedTby 
introduction of parent fish, not by transportation of spawn. 
Yon will probably, by representing your case to your State Fish 
Commissioners, receive from them the necessary fisb. 
J. S. S„ Cambridgeport, Mass.-For a fortnight's sport between 
Quebec and Montreal, go to the town of Three Rivera, where you 
will find good duck shooting on Like St. refer; and you can go 
up the River St. Maurice, the whole country thereabout affording 
abundant sport. 
8. W. B., Baltimore—Tho soreness in my dog’s eyes is caused by 
the under eyelid turning in tbe eye, and tho hair rubbing the eye¬ 
ball keeps It sore and running. Ans. You had better show the 
dog to a surgeon, as an operation on the lower lid may be ne¬ 
cessary. 
J. W. S., Smyrna, N. Y.— I. What is the price of Belmontyle oil, 
and where can I get it? 2. Wbat is best to keep a ohoke-bore from 
lending. Ans. 1. H. C. Squires. No. 1 Cortlamlt street, this olty. 
Price 50 cents per bottle. 8. Fire a blank charge of powder In 
your gun before commencing to shoot. 
G. n. T., Media, Pa.— My puppy has had distemper, and it has 
left him with a nervous twitching in the forequarters. Please let 
me know through your valuable paper if there is any remedy. 
Ans. Country air, tonics, and good nursing may bring him around, 
but chorea is rarely cured. 
W. M. W.—Why a oopperboat? Very seldom madeof this ma¬ 
terial. Sheet Iron, galvanized or painted is much cheaper. Bout 
for three persons should bo about twelve feet long. Cost seven 
dollars per foot. Possibly yon may find a sporting boat suitable 
to your purpose in our advertising columns. 
C. F. G., Near Fort Monroe, Va.—Will you inform me where I 
can buy an English mastiff dog? 1 saw In your paper some time 
ago a cut, also description of this kind of a dog, and feel it is Just 
what I want for a house dog, also pet for children. I trust I am 
not treading on “ dangerous grounds ’’ in thu9 presuming. Ans. 
We canouly refer our correspondent to our advertising columns. 
H. P., Oquawka, Ill.—Books on the horse are Handbook 
on the Treatment, of the Horse in the Stable and on the Road,” 
by Charles Wharton. J. B. Lipplncott & Co. Philadelphia. 
“ Stonehenge on the Horse in Stable and Field,” $2. Orange Judd 
A Co. New York. The same firm also publish “American Gen¬ 
tlemen's Stable Guide,” $1. 
R,—What constitutes the food of the American bittern? Does 
it live on anything which ought to render it repulsive to a human 
stomach ? Our Indians will eat anything almost, but they will 
not cat a bittern. Ans. The bittern, like the other members of 
the Ardeidm family, feeds upon fish, frogs, other reptiles, testa- 
ceans, insects, etc. 
F. G. W, Philadelphia.— Go to John Krider's, and ho will tell 
you where to go for Bquirrels. If you had inquired about Peters¬ 
burg, Vu„ we oould have given you some magnificent shooting, 
opossums, rabbit and quail. The game down there does not hide 
In the woods and wait for the sportsman and his dog to como Out 
and find It. It enters the town and posts Itself in the back-yard 
and waits to be shot. 
A. F. H., Worcester, Mass.—I hare a pointer dog two years old, 
and a day or two since noticed n bunch on its back and thought it 
was a fly bite, but now it is about as large as a two cent piece, and 
looks red and raw, puffed up a little, and tho hair seems to be 
partly off; his appetite is good and he is as lively as ever, audit 
does not seem sore to touchit. Have been washing it wit h eastlle 
soap, and when dry putting on cosmoline. Ans. Anoint it with 
carbolic salve. 
T. J., Germantown, Pa—I have had four rabbits die of a disease 
which begins in the mouth and then goes to the paws, a kind of 
running sore—the hair all falling off. What is the trouble? and 
what can I do ? Ans. Your rnbbits probably have the rot, caused 
by too much green food. Kill nil the sick animals at once, as the 
disease is contagious— one of its features being a parasite that at¬ 
tacks the Bkin. Flour of sulphur has been recommended for the 
scabbiness. 
D. B., Haverhill, Mass,—My pointer dog is two years old, has 
never had a good appetite, bos always been very poor. Three 
weeks ago his appetite seemed to improve, then his bowels com¬ 
menced to swell, the swelling spread to his dulaps, then his logs 
swelled to about twice their natural size ; his fore legs have burst, 
are continually discharging water, he docs not seem f everish nor 
very weak. A. Your dog, from your description, has anasarca, 
or dropsy; give him six grains of nitre twice a day iu the follow¬ 
ing mixture : Iodide of potassium, three grains ; digitalis, one- 
half groin; extract of gentian, five grains. 
W. L, B., Staunton, Va.—What food shall I give mountain trout 
in an aquarium ? They will not oat anything I give them. Ana. 
See that you tank is throughly cleaned of all soourlngs of the 
fish; also note if your fish are not eating eaqh other. You should 
give thorn food that will not sink to tho bottom, as they will not 
goto the bottom of the tank for it. It will remain there and pol¬ 
lute the water. Pish will also sometimes gorge themselves and 
pollute the water afterward with there exerement. Try natural 
and aftiilcal food, and feed neither tooabundantor too sparingly. 
Fish with yoraclou3 appetites w 11 eat each othev and bocomo sur¬ 
feited for a time, and their refuse f o od until they become hungry 
again. 
M. B„ Batavia. O.—I. I have a pointer dog two years old. When 
he was one year old he did not do as I wanted him to, so I whipped 
him, and ho started to go homo. I shot him and he has been 
afraid of tho gun ever sinoe. Ho will hunt wall until I shoot tho 
first ttmeand than ho gets behind me and I can’t get him to hunt 
again. Do you think by buying tho 11 Sportsman's Gazetteer” that 
1 can break him of gun shlness? 2. 1 got of William Head & 
Sons a breech-loading gun made by R, Qrove, London, for whioh 
I gave $80; do you know anything of the manufacturer? Ans. 1- 
By exercising great care and patienoe you may be able to cure 
your dog of gun shyness. 2. We do not. 
Emma, City.—The German canaries are the best singers, and in 
Hanover no less than 75,000 are raised annually. About 70,000 aro 
imported to this country from France and Germany every year. 
While the German fanciers have bestowed their whole efforts 
upon the vocal power of the canary, French fanciers have by Ju¬ 
dicious breeeing greatly Increased the size and symmetry of the 
birds. It Is said that the reason of the sueoess of German fanciers 
in training their birds is due to placing their young birds In cages 
with larks and other European songsters, from whom the canaries 
learn many of their most beautiful melodies. German canaries 
sometimes sell at from $10 to $25 apiece. 
Subscriber, Oakland.—1. Where can I get the rules for glass 
ball shooting? 2. What is the proper load and size of allot for a 
10-bore gun at the Card rotary trap ? 3. Is a 10-bore allowed at 
matches on tho same terms as a 12-bore, or must I shoot at longer 
distunee? Ans. 1. Different clubs have different rules for glass 
ball shooting. You can probably get Bogardus' rules by writing 
to H. C. Squires, No. 1 Cortlaudt street, this city. 2. It depends 
Upon the weight of the gun, and would be about tho some as for 
quail shooting with the same gun. 3. Again the club question 
comes in. As a rule, 10-bores are penalized from one to three 
yards. 
X. , Cleveland, O—I have a dog who was quite lame in his hind 
legs some time since, the lameness shifting from ono leg to the 
other. He got well without any special treatment ; but now, after 
a lapse of several mombs, ho is lame again—walking on three 
legs. If I pull the lame leg he cries out suddenly, as If it hurt 
him. Otherwise, he is in good condition and appears to be all 
right. Do you think he has chronic rheumatism, and what should 
I do for him? Ans. The following remedy is recommended by 
“Stonehenge," and is frequently successful: Seoreared herring 
with a knife and well rub in two drachms of nitre; give every 
morning on an empty stomach, and keep the dog without food 
for two hours afterwards. At night give a drachm of camphor 
made into a ball. 
J. P„ Peoria, 111.—To waterproof buckskin the Indians boil it in 
oil ; and Nantucket fishermen water-proof leather by soaking It 
a week in boiled linseed oil. Otherreoipes for tanning leather are 
as follows: 1. Melt 6 ozs. mutton suet, 6 ozs. beeswax, 4 ozs. rosin, 
andaddl pintlinseed oil. 2. Tallow6 parts.beeswax 2parts, rosin 
1 part, 2 parts caoutchouo, 1 pint castor oil. Apply warm wltbu 
brush. 3. Shoemaker’s dubbing i lb,, linseed oil j pint, strong so¬ 
lution India rubber 4 pint. Dissolve with gentle beat (it is Inflam¬ 
mable) and apply with brush. 4. Melt 1 lb. tallow, J oz. neatsl'oot oil, 
loz. rosin, 1 oz, lampblack, 1 tablespoonful linseed oil. Articles 
should be warm when applied. 5. Neatsfoot oillj pints; beeswax 
1 oz., spirits turpentine 4 ozs. Rnb this on the leather when it is 
damp. 6. Melt 2 ozs. yellow wax und 1 oz. Burgundy pitch ; mix 
with 1 pint drying oil and 3 ozs. spirits turpentine. Saturate thor¬ 
oughly. 
E. G. F., Concord, N. H.— 1. What is the color of our common 
linnets during the first, second and third years of their lives, and 
does keeping them in a cage usually cause their plumage to differ 
from their wild brethern ? 2. How may the male linnet be distin¬ 
guished from the female? 3. What is the best method of setting 
snares for partridge? Ans. 1. Continuously streaked above with 
dusky and olivaceous brown or flaxen, below with dusky or 
whitish, tbe whole plumage in the breeding seuaon more or less 
suffused with yellowish, parliculury bright on rump. Yuung birds 
frequently show a huffy or flaxen suffusion, and resembles a red 
poH. Adult males with definite black on the crown, wings, and 
tail (Coues). 2. Caged birds have duller plumage, though in wild 
birds the plumage is extremely variable. 3. The spring snare is 
the best. Make a noose at one end of a cord; Just above the noose 
tie a six inch stick by the middle to serve as a trigger. Bend down 
it sapling, and attach tho free end of the eordtoit. Now set the 
trigger in notches cut in two upright sticks, at a sufficient distance 
from the ground to permit the noose to fill tho space underneath. 
Then build up a brush fence lending off to either side of the two 
uprights. 
Messina, Lewiston, Me.—I have a pund covering some fifty- 
three acres, inhabited by pickerel alone. It has oo perceptible 
inlet or outlet, and yet tho water Is remarkably dear and cold, 
with an average depth of ten feet. The pickerel that now inhabit 
the pond do not grow to be very large, but ere very uniform, 
weighing from one-quarter to one-half pound. Will you tell me 
bow much soft-soap (providing that was not a soft-soap story you 
recently told a correspondent,) or lime it will take to destroy tbe 
pickerel, und liow long it will be after I add the soap or lime be- 
forel can safety putin trout ? I al90 want to add Michigan gray¬ 
ling. Would they do well with trout? Anil would they breed In 
this pond? I infer trout would not. When and where can I pro¬ 
cure tho Michigan grayling? I also want to add an order for 
Messiua quail, and some of the Norway und Sweden species of 
grouse to thenext importation. Alls, Your pund is fed by bottom 
springs. If you (.•■innut draw off yonrpoud at all, considerable 
Ume will be required; how much you will have to ascertain by 
trial. Tbe fish will turn ou tlieir bucks when dead. The very 
strong lye in the soft-soap is what kill3the fish, and tho substance 
diffuses Itself more thoroughly through the water than Ume does. 
Row about \hc pond and put a handful of soap or a pint of uu- 
slaoked Hum here and there, at f requ out intervals. Gray! big would 
uot do well hi a pond. They thrive only in swift streams with 
sandy bottom. You tan gut grayling by addressing the post¬ 
master at the town of Grayling (Ms name forgotten), bat you will 
have to send some one to transport them. For migratory quail, 
address Horace P. Tnbuy, 17 Oliver Elreet, Boston; tor Norway 
birds,write to Johti Swainson, fit. Paul, Minnesota. He wtU teb 
you whore to sefid for them, 
