FOREST AND STREAM 
709 
changed his seventy pound bow and 4,0 arrows for a 
forty-six pound bow' and 5,0 arrows, and having perfect 
control of his bow he sends In's arrows Bmoothly and 
evenly over their long parabola to the mark, a hundred 
yards away, and his scoring is a wonder to the eyes of his 
rival who draws his mighty bow with a jerk, and sends 
his light arrows away with a swallow-like darting flight, 
neither beantiful or reliable. A forty-eight pound bow 
is heavy enough for an athlete for target use at 60,80, and 
100 yards, and 5.0 arrows are. light enough. 
Will H. Thompson. 
What is the Utmost Flight or an Arrow ?—Taking 
it for granted that no archer gives any credence to those 
preposterous tales, which everyone has read, of the phe- 
nominal archers of ancient days, who could send an ar¬ 
row all the way from 600 yards to the same number of 
miles, it still is a question with many as to bow far a 
first class bow will send a good flight arrow. The English 
archers bane made many experiments within the last 
forty years, and Mr. H. A. Ford, who was a leading 
spirit in these experiments, came to the conclusion that 
800 yards is about the limit of the flight of an arrow, and 
cites but one instance in which 800 yards was passed by 
the aiTow of any shooter, and that was shot from a Turk¬ 
ish horn bow in the hands of Peter Muir, the oldest archer 
now living. Mr. Ford himself, who was a M very tall and 
exceedingly powerful man,” only succeeded in covering 
289 yards. This was with an Italian Self yew bow of 
63 pounds weight. The writer of this paper has lately 
made many experiments with bows and arrows of differ¬ 
ent makers, and of various weights, and has been greatly 
surprised at the small difference of distance gained by 
five or ten pounds additional power of draw. A veiy 
trifling difference was found also in the use of light or 
heavy arrows. Using various bows of from 44 to 70 pounds, 
the ranges of flight varied from 194 yards to 287 yards. 
Themosl satisfactory test gave the following average 
ranges (ten arrows being shot each time), for the flight of 
certain weight arrows from different bows ;— 
41 POUND llOSE AND HICKORY (HORSMAN). 
Arrouv Maker. Fords. 
4.0. ...Highfiold. 108.4 
4 0 . Horsman. 190.7 
4 3..llorsman. 190.3 
4 0 .Horsman.. 191,9 
4.6..JHghfleld. 101.1 
5.0 . .Aldred.... 195.2 
5 0 .Horsman... . 194.8 
5.8.-.-.High lie Id. - 1W.1 
SO POUND SPANISH SELF YEW (ALDRED). 
4.0.Highfield. 321,0 
4,0. ..Horsman.. 287.4 
4 3.Horsman... .227.8 
4 8...Horsman. 224.0 
4.0...;.Hlghtleld. 821.0 
5 0..A hired. 233,7 
5 0.Horsman.. ...238:0 
5.0.High field. 213.8 
51 POUND SNAKE, BACKED WITH DEMON (HORSMAN). 
4 8* .Horsman... 233.3 
4,0.Highfield. . 244.8 
5 0. Horsman. 278.2 
5 0 .Aldred. 284.0 
5 3 .Horsman.. 285.6 
5.0 .High field.281.3 
70 POUND SELF SNAKE (BIGnFlELD). 
4 0 .Horsman. 240.0 
4o:.:.:.HiKhftew..;. 233.7 
6.0 .Alured. 251.9 
5.0.Horsman. 203.2 
5 3 .Horsman. 207.8 
6.6.;;;.iiighrmid.arc.# 
+ 03 POUND SPLIT BAMBOO (MALLEBON). 
5 0 .Horsman.282 8 
5 0 ; ..Aldred. 280.8 
53 .Horsman..,,.... 284.0 
5 : 6 ;::;:::;;.aigMoid.. 277.0 
Of course, the above would be only a partial lest of the 
value of any one of the bows or arrows for flight shoot¬ 
ing, but it very clearly demonstrated the utter useless¬ 
ness of very light arrows or very heavy bows for flight 
shooting. With the 54 pound bow the 4.6 arrows of High¬ 
field were beaten 40 yards by the 5.6 arrows of the same 
iriskci'i 
With the same bow Mr. Horsman’s 5.8 arrows out¬ 
stripped liis 4.6 arrows 32 yards. 
With the 70 pounder the 4.6’s of Highfield were beaten 
by his 5.6's 87 yards, while Mr. Hor8man’s 5.8’s gained 37 
yards over his 4.6 arrows. 
With the 50 pound yew the 5.0 arrows of both Aldred 
and Horsman seemed best suited, beating the lighter and 
heavier arrows in distance. With the light rosewood 
bow there seemed very little difference in the value of the 
arrows for flight purposes. In a few instances the aver¬ 
age of certain of the tens shot may have been cut down 
one or two yards by an arrow being badly loosed or aimed 
a trifle too low, but the extreme flight of each weight of 
arrow, with each bow, was closely approximated. 
From the above and many similar experiments I come 
to the conclusion that 300 yards is possibly, but not prob¬ 
ably attainable. 
That a how of 55 pounds is as heavy as one can loose 
smoothly so as to get its greatest flight, and, consequently, 
while in theory a heavier bow will shoot farther, in prac¬ 
tice it will not. 
That an arrow of 5.0 weight, made of hard, rigid and 
heavy wood, so as to he small in cross section, with very 
narrow feathers set on straight, will shoot farther than 
any other weight. The lighter arrows have a far higher 
initial velocity, but do not retain it so long as the heavier 
ones. They'will tlius have a flatter trajectory for 80 
yards than heavy ones, but lose more rapidly in the latter 
part of their flight. Such a 5.0 arrow as I have described, 
and a quick backed-bow of 55 pounds will give from 275 
to 300 yards flight in fair weather, and with a quick, 
smooth loose. Of course, the elevation must be 45 de¬ 
grees, and the string must not touch the arm-guard. 
Will H. Thompson. 
*1 tried tlie 4.0 arrows, Put they wouldnot stand the powerful 
reooil of the bow, even the 4.8 springing a little. 
+ This bow when made drew 57 pounds, and Is so marked, but 
has grown five pounds, and none of the arrows lighter than 5.0 
will Btand in It. 
Results of Archery.—T he returns from the Female 
Archery Clubs of America for the season of 1879 are now 
all in. We gather from them the following interesting sta¬ 
tistics, winch indicate that this branch of industry is in a 
flourishing condition : The target was hit during the sea¬ 
son three times out of a possible score of 84,000,000. The 
rumor that these three times were accidents is without 
foundation; 2,874 of the archers have become hopefully 
engaged to the young gentlemen who were so kind as to 
teach them how to aim ; 8,940 other girls are sure they 
would also have become engaged had it not been for these 
2,874. The 8,940 do not hesitate to assert that the 3,874 
took unfair advantages and were unbecomingly forward. 
The matter is to be brought to the notice of the next 
National Convention of the Archers. During the year, 
184,948 barn doors were well bit. Of this number, 92,- 
474 appertained to barns situated loss than a mile to the 
right of the target; 92.474 to bams situate less t h a n that 
distance to the left of the target. The casualities of the 
year are immaterial, and considerable less in nuniberaiul 
severity than those of the season of 1878. It appears 
from the returns that only 280 cows, IS horses, 7 goats, 5 
pigs, 82 small boys, and 23,720 peddlers of a new map of 
Palestine were either killed or wounded during the sea¬ 
son, and that in every instance the blame was with the 
animal hit:. The archers to a girl have filed affidavits 
from which it appeai-s that each one of those cows, horses, 
goats, pigs, and boys were recklessly exposing their lives 
by standing within 5,280 feet of the respective targets at 
the time the accidents occurred. —Albany Journal, 
Illinois— Highland Park, Sept, 20 Ih.—Editor Forest 
and Stream :—The discussion relative to the merits of dif¬ 
ferent bows and bow-makers continues to interest many 
correspondents of the Forest and Stream. As all the 
letters on the subject are written with perfect disinterest¬ 
edness and succeed in advertising some one, perhaps we 
shall do the same. But we assure you we are not the 
agent or paid correspondent of any manufacturer. 
••Truth” writes a letter from Chicago, published in 
your last issue, to which wo wish to call a little attention. 
He refers to two members of our club. He speaks of Mr, 
Hall's Aldred vew baring been broken at the Chicago 
tournament, it did slightly crack near the handle, but 
Mi-. Spalding’s skilful bow-maker repaired it so perfectly 
that it shoots as well as ever. “ Truth ” says, “although 
Mr. Carver had an Aldred Spanish yew, costing $125, he 
did not shoot with it, and that ho endorses American 
made hows in high terms.” The above is truth ; but if 
“Truth ” had told the whole truth, lie would have said, 
“ Mr. Carver shot a high priced Aldred Spanish yew at 
the tournament, but did not shoot Ins $125 bow, as lie 
preferred one pulling less pounds.” His endorsing Ameri¬ 
can make bows did not prevent his using an Aldred yew. 
Nov did the extravagant praise given American made 
bows by Mr. Will H. Thompson prevent his using an Al¬ 
dred yew and Aldred arrows. That Aldred’s bows, as 
well as all others, will break, no one questions. And no 
one questions the fact that there are good American made 
bows, and that next year there will be better ones. But 
Aldred bows and arrows give such perfect satisfaction 
that wo want all archers to know it. We are now using 
an Aldred yew which we did uot get for “ wilting him 
up,” but bought it, Besides our team and reserve, who 
own from one to three Aldred bows each, there are four 
Aldred yews and two lance bows owned by members of 
the Highland Park Archers, and there will soon be seve¬ 
ral more. _ N. K. D. 
gtnswcv.s tfl (CovrcsiroiuUuts. 
No Notice Taken of Anonymous Communications. 
1 ST Tfc make no charge for answering inquiries in. Hits column. 
E. B. B., Vail, la.—See our archery department this week. 
J. II. E.- When does quail season open in Virginia? Ans- Oct. 
15th. 
F. B„ New York.—Take the Long Island Railroad to Good 
Ground. 
Thisbee.— You can buy an excellent map of the Thousand 
Islands from Geo. Rockwell, of Fulton, New York. 
,T. G. S., White Plains.—Stale where the Phoenix single barrel 
breech-loading guns are made? Ans. Whitney Arms Co., New 
Haven, Conn. 
W. B., Walkerton, Canada.—Beferee’s decision is Anal; as the 
traps were properly placed, you are entitled to the money or the 
forfeit. 
W. C. B., Bridgeport, Conn—You cannot make a standing hop 
from both leet. One foot must be lilted from the ground or it is 
a jump. 
D. L., Brooklyn.-In what points were the game laws of New 
York changed by I ho last Legislature! Ans. See our Issue of July 
3d, 1879. 
E. C. S., Harrisburg—We cannot verify the pedigree, as you do 
not say whether the dog is a setter, pointer or spaniel, or when 
Imported. 
J. K. T . , City.—WiU you be so kind as to inform me where I can 
procure black bass to stoek apond ? Ans- Address Milton Peirce, 
604 Jayne street, Philadelphia, 
YOUNG BeginNeb, Philadelphia.—Some guns are like mules, 
always will kick. Try a smaller charge. Hold the gun firmly to 
your shoulder. John Krider will tell you where to go for squir¬ 
rels. 
M. D-, Hartford, Conn.—One drachm avoidupois is 1-16 of 4374 
grains, or a little loss than 27* grains One drachm apothecary 
is 4 of 480 grains, or 80 grains. A drachm of gunpowder is 274 
grains. 
Green, Washington, D.C — Please inform me where 1 can pur¬ 
chase a light and effective revolver for pocket use. Ans. Smith 
& Wesson, of several calibres, and many other excellent makers, 
at new or second hand, at any gun dealer’s. 
0. C. W., St. George, N. B.—Please tell me the probable cost of 
altering a muzzle-loading rifle to a breeoh-ioader, and whore it 
eauhedone? Ans. From $50 to $75. Clark & Snider, Baltimore, 
have an excellent reputation. 
A. C., Boston.—1. What is the pedigree of Horace Smith’s Rver 
and white pointer bitch Blossom ? 2. Also Colburn’s Belle (poin¬ 
ter)? Ans. 1. Do not know. Write to H. Smith, 33 Park Row, 
this city. 2. By Bovo’s Rollo out of his Belle- 
J. H. C., Philadelphia.—1. Pike County, Pa., is fuff of game, deer, 
squirrels, rabbits, ducks, woodoook, grouse, and other birds. Tbe 
fishing is for bass, trout, perch, pickerel, catfish, etc. 2. The pat¬ 
tern Is a good one. 3. The guns can be bored as desired. 
Constant Reader.— Paineavillc, Ohio.—Your description points 
more nearly to the king roil (Itallus elcgans) than to tiny other 
bird that we can think of, though in some points it differs widely 
from this bird. Con you send .us |a specimen, or a head, log;and 
wing of one? 
W. C. W., Monroe, N. C.—Georgetown County, South Carolina, 
is an excellent region for duolc shooting. The wild fowl are at¬ 
tracted by the extensive rice fields near the coast. Make George 
town your headquarters. You will find no difficulty in there 
obtaining direclion to the right plaoes. 
G., West Durham—Wodon’tknowanythingaboutraffles. Must 
refer you to Borne church fair committee for this. In the case 
you state, where A threw 42, B and C 40 each, and E, F and G 39 
each, we should think that A takes first, and B and C throw again 
for second and third prizes. 
Jared, City.—The law exempts from duty animals imported 
for breeding purposes, of superior stock, adapted to improving 
the breed in the United States, but they muqtbe accompanied by 
a certificate from the United States Consul at port of shipment 
that they are but for such purpose. 
Asthma, Boston.—In reply to .“Asthma, Boston,” go either to 
Pensacola, Fla., or Norcross, Go. I spent last winter in the for¬ 
mer place; climate simply perfect. No trouble with asthma there. 
Norcross, Ga., is said to he equally as good and a, cheap place. For 
full information in regard to Norcross, address ,Col. D. U. Sloan, 
of Norcross.—J. 0. H., Oconoinowoo, Wisconsin. 
Nemo, Philadelphia—The trouble of which you complain in 
your dog Is merely puppyishness, and may not disappear until 1m 
is over two years old. Large dogs are sometimes slow In matur¬ 
ing, and cannot be called fully developed until they have 
reached the above age, at which time, if the characteristics men¬ 
tioned have not entirely disappeared, we should breed him. 
G. F. G.—To go on record, matches must be held under such 
conditions that correct timing, scoring, &e., may be insured and 
the results vouched for by competent witnesses. In general, 
matches which are held in public with proper scoring and judg¬ 
ing. are considered records. We do not. know what is the best 
score ever made by eight men from one club, Card’s rotating 
trap, eighteen yards, possible 200. 
MoL., Lodi, O.—Can you furnish me a standard work on taxi¬ 
dermy ? Please state the price. Ans. The two best general taxi¬ 
dermist’s guides are “ Field Ornithology” ($3), by Dr. Elliott 
Coues, and Maynard’s “ Naturalist's Guido” ($1.50); both for sale 
at tlie Naturalists' Agency, Salem, Mass. J. H. Batty’s “ Taxi¬ 
dermy.” for sale by the author at ParkviRo. Long Island, N. Y. 
(price $1.50), is an excellent book; and so is Brown’s “Taxider¬ 
mists Manual" ($1), Cor sale by the OraugeJudd Publication Co., 
New York. 
H. B. R., Harrison, O.—Please tell through your valuable sheet 
who makes the best shooting boots or shoes for hunting over 
rough ground—boots that tit, and don’t knock spots out of your 
feet. Ans. Nothing bettor than the pattern of the broad-soled, 
broad-beoled army shoe, unless it be a mooso hide moccasin, with 
parfleche sole sewed on. Parfleche is dressed cowhide soaked in 
alkali, stretched on a. frame, and dried while green. 11. becomes 
as hard as non. Some one in the Indian Country will make them 
for you. 
C. C. F„ Frederick, Fid.—1, Some time ago I wrote to you for a 
cute for (he mange, which my Gordon had very bad. I used the 
petroleum and arsenic, and it dried it up. ft broke out again, and 
I cured him by the same application. It has broken out again in 
several places. Can you give me something that will cure him 
permanently? 2. Have you known anything of the Samuel 
Buckley guns, London make ? Ans. 1. Tlie breaking out of the 
mango is due to uncleanliness or wrong diet. Try the remedy 
again and feed more vegetables. 2. No. 
A. M. T., Nottawa, Mieh.—I. Are English bulldogs usually gooo 
tempered In the family, and will the St. Bernards make good 
watchdogs; also, whether (on account ol' their size) the St. 
Bernards are more expensive keepers than others. 2. Does your 
pamphlet, compiled from Stonehenge, include descriptions of all 
kinds of dogs known in this country ? Ans. 1. Yes, if properly 
brought up. The St. Bernard would be the best dog for you, and 
would cost no more to keep than any other. 2. Yes, and can be 
sent from this office on reoelpt of price, 50 cents. 
W B. R„ Wel land, Ont.—There was something wrong with your 
dog’s kidneys or bladder: probably he had taken cold. If it had 
continued the treatment would have been sulphate of magnesia, 
one. ounce; nitre, fifteen grains; water, enough to dissolve ; to 
be mixed and given twice a week. If you are now using this rem¬ 
edy for the discharge and without effect, try two oapsules of bai- 
,sam of capaiba every day, unless you are satisfied that the dis¬ 
charge is from the sheath alone, in which ease use only a wash of 
sulphate of zinc, fifteen grains to one ounce of water. 
W.P. T., Village Green, Pa —What kind of deer shooting can 
therebe found in Atlantic county. New Jersey? Ans. No good 
deer shooting. Would a double-barreled brcech-loadiiig shot gun 
he suitable for shooting them ? Ans. Yes, if loaded with buck¬ 
shot. What would be the prospect for grouse and partridge 
shooting? Ans. Very good. Our correspondent will do well to 
bear in mind tlie non-resident game laws of New Jersey, and the 
fact that sevoral counties are under the especial jurisdiction and 
protection of the Central and West Jersey Game Protective Asso¬ 
ciations. 
S. B. K., Syracuse, N. Y.-A and B make a bet September 20th 
of $500 on the walking match just closed in New York. A bets 
$600 that Weston will take first money; B that he will not. 
A puts his money into my hands; B says, I have but $250 by mo, 
but will put up the balance to-morrow. A consents to the ar¬ 
rangement, aud B puts up his $250. Have not seen either of t hem 
since until to-day, and no farther arrangement has been made. 
B comes to mo this morning and claims the stakes in my hands! 
I decline to give it up. I would like to know what to do In the 
premises. Wliat is my duty as a stake-holder ? Ans. B wins. It 
was A’s business to see either that the full amount of money was 
up before the walk took place, or reduce liis stake to B's pile, or 
to withdraw the bet altogether. It was a case of credit, Uke any 
business transaction. 
S. B., Cleveland, Ohio.—My friend claims that orows, rooks and 
jackdaws are aU one. I claim that a crow is a carnivorous bird 
anda rookabU’d that feeds oniuseots, worms aud grain, and that 
a Jackdaw is a bird that frequents churches and old eastlos, and'is 
only about half the size of a rook. 2. Could you please explain 
thecauseof my Shelton auxilary rifle shooting so much to the 
right ? At seventy-five yards it shoots so much to the right Glut 
it is very difficult to make allowance enough. Ans. 1. You are 
quite right, and your friend is wrong. Theorowof Europe is 
Conns coronc; that of Atuorioa, Corrnis americanus; the rook is 
Corvus frugeleyus; and the jackdaw C. monedula. Rook pie is a 
dainty di3h, hill: crows and jackdaws are never eaten, we think 
except as an experiment. The rook, as its Latin name implies! 
feeds mainly on grain and vegetable food. 3. In double-barrel 
shot gun there is a slight defection of the bore of each barrel, 
which, while not appreciable when shot is used, becomes very 
marked in shooting bail, To remedy it you mustsbootat a mark, 
regulating your rear sight until it Is properly adjusted 
