272 



RECREATION. 



to fear my recent attempts. Of course if the 

 traps had been handled without gloves, his 

 recklessness would have vanished at once. 

 I tried setting 2 and 3 traps in a bed, hop- 

 ing ht would accidentally step in one. But 

 he knew where they lay better than I did, 

 and all were turned over and sprung. 



I was at length compelled to seek advice 

 from Daddy Jenks. "I know a trick fer 

 sech old chaps as that," he said ; I'll go 

 with you and see about it." After setting 

 the trap so it would spring rather hard, 

 he placed it carefully in its bed, but bot- 

 tom side up. I marveled greatly at this 

 procedure, but the old man did not ex- 

 plain it. The following morning we were 

 both anxious to know the result and, to 

 my surprise, found we had caught the wise 

 old fox. He had turned the trap over as 

 usual, which brought it right side up, but 

 as nothing came in contact with the pan 

 it remained unsprung. No doubt thinking 

 danger had been removed, as on previous 

 occasions, the fox had met his fate while 

 recklessly treading around in devouring the 

 bait. I never saw a more crestfallen ani- 



mal ; he cowered as we came up, looking as 

 if he wished the earth might open and 

 swallow him. 



Practice makes perfect and I long ago 

 discovered that many more foxes may be 

 taken by using a proper scent at the place 

 of baiting. In late fall and during the 

 first half of winter the scent to be used is 

 as follows : Tincture of assafcetida, one 

 ounce; oil of anise, one ounce; oil of rose- 

 mary, one dram: mix. A few drops should 

 be sprinkled on and within 5 or 6 feet of 

 the bait, which should be lard scraps, fried 

 meat scraps, and smoked meat rinds fried. 

 The bait is never placed on the trap but 

 around it, scattered in the bed of chaff. 

 The bed should cover an area of 4 feet. 



Bait should be scattered over as much 

 space when trapping in snow as when bait- 

 ing in beds ; the trapper's expectations be- 

 ing based on the probability of the fox 

 stepping in the trap while devouring the 

 bait or sniffing at the alluring scent. It is 

 always advisable to bait a few nights be- 

 fore setting the trap, especially in the first 

 half of winter. 



A CLEVER PUPPY. 



Some time ago you .published in your 

 magazine several pictures of an untrained 

 pointer puppy, showing his various points. 



These seemed to indicate a well bred dog 

 and one that would make a good hunter. 

 I think these pictures which I enclose will 

 stand comparison as showing a perfectly 

 natural and lifelike position. These photo- 

 graphs were taken at the edge of the woods, 

 and show the dog's listening and watchful 

 attitude, occasioned by a rustling noise just 



ahead of him in the bushes and ready to 

 hear the word to go ahead. At the time 

 these snap shots were made he was 14 

 months old and had never had any training. 

 On this occasion he was taken out to see if 

 his breeding would show up the good points 

 always looked for in this breed of dogs. 



AMATEUR PHOTOS BY H. C. CHASE. 



His qualities for a rapid worker were 

 noticeable, for he scented quickly and was 

 a stayer until he flushed his game. 



C. C. Chase, Concord, N,. H, 



