FOREST AND STREAM. 



385 



No Notice Taken of Anonymous Communication*. 



13T A number of anonymous correspondents will understand why 



their queries are not answered, when they read the lines at the head of 

 mm column. 



TJ. ft., Hew York Your conundrum is as old as the hills. 



tfc. O. F., Boston.— Will you please send your address to this offlee? 

 ,8. S. H., Elmira.— Is there a paper shell made game size ol' the metal- 

 lic shell marked 12 A? ins, No. 



F. A. P.,Frt Walla Walla.— Bo not think we. have neglected your 



Iaiion, it will take some time to get the pedigree accurately. 

 , A. P., Toledo— What is considered a good target at 40 yds., using 1 

 No. shot ? Ans. 200 pellets. Your answer is correct. 

 fct„ Boston.— Please inform me through your next issue the size shot 

 that Captain Bogardas uses in glass baU shooting ? Ana. No. S. 



G. E. C, Hanover, Me.— How can I stain a bright iron ride barrel to a 

 black, or blue-black color? Ans. It, is done by heat. We do not under- 

 stand the process. 



Yemassbe— We cannot designate, except at great length, the flies 

 Used for various kinds of fish caught, in Florida waters. For full in- 

 structions see Hallock's " Gazetteer." 



H„ Brooklyn.— Would yon advise use of canthandos, or may the de- 

 sired end be." attained in another way 1 Ana. Association with the op- 

 Sjsite sex the best and most natural means. 



Dealer.— The sale of venison iu this State is prohibited alter Jan. 1. 

 December is a close month for deer. Deer shooting is allowed only 

 during the months of September, October and November. 



C. V. B. T., Viocontown.— Please inform me what it will cost to have 

 a double-barrel muzzle-loading gun changed into breech-loader ? Ans 

 Depends very much who does the job and how it is done ; from $10 to $25. 

 [■«. J. L., Norristown.-l. Can a person shootas true over water as he can 

 on land, providing he knows the distance ? 2. Does water draw a bul- 

 let ? Ans. 1. No possible difference. 2. An old woman's idea. It does 

 not. 



C W. H., Fort Plain.— Will you please inform me through the col- 

 umns of your payer, whether Capt. Bogardus lias more than one arm? 

 Ans. You have got names mixed ; it is Ward, of Canada, Who has but 

 One arm. 



V C. H. F., Port Henry.— At the early age of seven weeks it is diftlcultto 

 ■say'wliat may be the matter. Probably mal-nutrition, or some inherited 

 constitutional trouble ; or worms often cause symptoms similar to those 

 you mention. ' 



Z. Z.— Can you recommend the gun advertised in your paper? 



Tho rifle— large calibre and slow twist— spoken of in the " Sportsman's 

 Gazetteer," would it shoot explosive balls ? Ans. We have never seen 

 the gun. It would. 



W. C. II , nagerstown.— I have a setter bitch which will hunt splendid 

 until afternoon, and then she is taken with painsin her limbs which make 

 her howl. Ans. Probably has rheumatism. Keep the bowels open and 

 give warm, dry bod and some sulphur once a week. 

 ■ J. GK A., New York.— Can yon inform me where I can have a net, for 

 a game bag made ? Those which are in the game bags purchased at 

 stores arc almost worthless. Ans. Make it. Go to any cordage and 

 twine store and you can get the information how to- make the net. 



J. N. K., Ayer, Mass.— Have a setter pup ten weeks old. His fore- 

 legs are badly crooked. Will they be likely to come out all right and 

 straight? Ans. Dogs are sometimes rachitic when young, but almost 

 always, unless positively deformed, the legs come straight in time. 



J.J. S.— 1. I own a pair of maltese cats which are covered with fleas 

 and one has the mange. 1 have used insect powder, but it did no good. 



2. Arc the good guumakers ? 3. When is the time up for shouting 



quail iu Pennsylvania? Ans. 1. Wash with carbolic soap. 8. Yes. 3. 

 Dec. 15. 



J. J. M., Boston.— A Newfoundland dog, one and one-half years old, 

 Has' sores on the inside of his ears. Ans. Fit a linen cap over the head so 

 as to prevent the ears being shaken ; then,ouce. a day.wash the ears with 

 tepid water, and afterward pour in a little weak lead water. Feed no 

 meat for a month. 



V. J. W., West Meriden.— 1. Will a muzzle-loading gun shoot as well 

 as a breech-loader, everything else being equal? 2. What makes my 

 gun kill ducks on a cold morning better after firing a few times than at 

 Erst shot ? Aub. 1. It will. 2. The difference, if any, must be more with 

 you than with the gun. 



Subscriber, Matewan, N. J— Where, near Washington City, can I 

 find good shooting between the holidays ? If any place for partridge or 

 quail, how can it be reached most easily? Ans. Orange Co.,Va., near the 

 headwaters of the Pamunkey ; also, near Manassas Junction, and at Tee 

 Bee, Nottingham and Marlboro, in Maryland. 



Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron, Halifax, N. S.— 1. What is.your sub- 

 scription per annum, postage free ? 2. Can the year begin witli any 

 number ? 3. An;i, above all, do yon devote space to the discussion of 

 yachting subjects? Ans. 1. Si. 2. Yes. 3. A great deal. We are 

 publishing a series of illustrated articles on marine architecture now 



q yy_ c.— Have a bitch eleven years old with a difllculty in her 

 breathing. Holds her head unnaturally ; is restless. Malady seems to 

 have been coming on for two months. What is the matter, and what 

 shall I do 1 Ans. Probabiy has bronchitis. Keep her dry and comfort- 

 able ; bowels open and good nutritious food. Age is against her. 



G. A. S., Westfleld.— 1. Can I get a breech-loading gun of good quality 

 for from $50 to' $75 ? 2. How do — guns rank with English make ? 



3. Do yon consider the ■ action as good as the top-snap ?' Ans. 1. 



Certainly. 2. An excellent gun. 3. Great diversity of opinion. We have 

 no fault to And with the make you mention. Have one now in use for 

 four years. 



New Subscriber, Painsvllle.— Will you please answer through this 

 week's paper what is the best American breech-loading shot-gun for the 

 price, from $40 to $80 ? 2. What gauge, 10 or 12, for general shooting, Is 

 the best ? Ans. 1. We would do an injustice to our many patrons were 

 we to discriminate. From good makers it is hard to get bad guns. 2. 

 No.l?, decidedly, 



H. L., Fort Eichraond.— My gun barrel is three and three-fifth inches 

 long, about six and one-quarter sixteenths at the nipples, then decreases 

 to muzzle, etc. 2. What is a gauge ? 3. Was not Courtney many years 

 ago defeated by a Deurpey ? Ans. 1. Could not say unless we saw the 

 gun. 2. Not so easy to answer. In old times, before the time of choke- 

 bores, the muzzle was gauged by a certain standard. Now, choke-bore 

 may take a 12 cartridge at the breech, and show a 14 gauge at the muz- 

 zle. This could not be called a 14-gauge gun. 3. Courtney was not de- 

 feated, 



T. P. W., Wolf Run.— 1. Dave you the volume of F. and S. for 1875 ? 



1. is there a publication called "The American Checker Player?" 3. 

 What breech-loader won in England ? t. Ant having barrels made : how 

 many pellets should I put into a 30 in. target ait 25 yds., with No. S shot ? 

 Ans. 1. Yes. 2. Do not know of it. 3. Greener. 4. With i;/ 2 oz. shot 

 something like 300. 



J. L. P., Yorkville.— Would a 32 calibre rifle be as accurate as a tar- 

 get rifle at 300 yds.? 2. Would it hurt a long-range rifle to shoot ifrwith- 

 out cleaning (charge 90 grs, powder, 1 wad, 1 lubricator and a 300 grS. 

 ball) at short range for long-range purposes? 3. Could I use 70 to 80 

 grs. powder, etc.? Ans. 1. It wonld not be accurate. 2. Would not 

 hurt it, bat would make bad sUootiug. 3. Would not work well. 



Trap.— 1. Will you please tell me if the Remington carbine is accu- 

 rate at 200 yards ? 2. What is the price of the same ? 3. Would it be 

 allowed in shooting matches under Creedmoor rules? 4. Where can the 

 rules for target shooting be obtained ? 5. What is the price of the. 

 same? Ans. 1. It, is. 2. $1fi. 3. It would lie. 4. We have them ; send 

 ten cents in postage stamps and we will forward them: 



A. B. 0„ Boston.— 1. What kind of wad did the American team use in 

 their cartridges ? 2. Do they lubricate by passing an oiled rag through 

 the barrel ? 3.1 have a Remington shell holding 97 grains, how shall I 

 till it with 100 grains? Ans. l. Pasteboard wad. 2 With an oiled rag. 

 Si Have a tin funnel made with a long spout so as to get a good fall to 

 the powder; load in this way sad you will put iu the three extra 

 grains, By careful manipulation. 



W. J. R., New York.— Do the straight shells for central Are rifles have 

 any advantage over the bottle-necked shape iu the way of less recoil ? 



2. For squirrel and coon shooting and other small game, will a 32 calibre 

 rifle, rim lire ammunition, answer the purpose as well as a 3S calibre 

 would? 3. Do you think the 32 ammunition would be reliable up to 3o 

 rods? Ans. 1. We nevpr found any appreciable difference. 2. 32 is 

 good ; would prefer 35. 3. Only moderately so. 



A. W. S., Norfolk.— Has the genuine Gordon any white on his breast ? 

 Ans. Idstone says : *■ The tan (of the Gordon setter) should be raven 

 black, with a blue or plain bloom on the bright lights. » * » * There is 

 no objection to ' a white shirt frill,' although the absence of all white is 

 a good tiling." Further, Idstone says," The very best blood occasionally 

 shows the color (white), and there can be little doubt that in the Gordon 

 kennels it is often met with." Sue Hallock's " Sportsman's Gazetteer." 



Splasher.— 1. Please tell me what to do for a dog the soles of whose- 

 feel crack open, exposing the quick and keeping him constantly lam« at 

 this time of year? The trouble begins as soon as the ground freezes. 

 He runs loose, has plenty of room, sleeps where he pleases and is fed on 

 scraps from the table with the addition of some plain corn bread. 2 



Whose in vention,or patent, is the rebounding lock used on the gun? 



Ans. 1. Wash the feet regularly with strong salt and water for a few 

 weeks. 2. The inventor's name we do not know. 



C. W. F., Brooklyn.— Could a side forward lever of a breech-loading 

 Scott guu be changed to a top-lever— that is, back of the hammers. 2. 

 I tried my gun, and found at 40 yds., target 28 in. diameter, it put in 101 

 pellets; at 60 yds., same size target, 53 pellets; do you consider it fair 

 shooting, as I had a 7 lbs. gun, 3 drs. powder. 1 1-S oz. No. 7 shot ? 3. 

 Down to what large shot would a 12 bore breech-loader, 7 lbs., shoot 

 with advantage ? Ans. 1 Believe that the change would be injudicious, 

 and would not advise it. 2. Excellent target. 3. Could not answer. 

 The experiment should be tried by you ; guns have their idiosyncrasies. 



J. W. D., Ottawa.— Will you kindly insert a receipt for tanning ani- 

 mal pelts : also, the way to cure bird skins for stuffing ? Ans. Put the 

 pelts in a pickle of alum and saltpetre until they become like leather ; 

 then dress the flesh side, dry slowly, rub them with butter, and dry by 

 treading them out in sawdust. Equal parts of salt, alum, Glauber salts 

 and half a pint of saltpetre, make a good and cheap mixture. For 

 bird skins : After careful skinning, powder with one part powdered 

 saltpetre and six of alum. Carbolic acid in solution is good. Put 

 pieces of tow or cotton steeped in the carbolic acid solution in vent and 

 throat. See " Sportsman's Gazetteer " for full particulars. 



A. J. McT., Montreal.— 1. Pray give me the names of secretaries of 

 yacht chilis who own boats of from nineteen to twenty-five feet keel. 2. 

 What is your definition of the word professional as far as regards yacht- 

 ing 1 Ans. (We beg to state to our correspondent that his first letter 

 never came to hand). 1. Address F. de P. Foster, secretary yacht club, 

 Wall St., New York. H. H. Mann, Wall St., New York. Address letters 

 to secretaries of Atlantic, of Brooklyn, and Columbia yacht clubs of New 

 York. 2. By professional is meant any person who has at any time dur- 

 ing his life followed the water as a profession, or for means of subsist- 

 ence, or in any way received pay for services rendered on any boat, 

 steamboat, sailing vessel, etc. 



H. S. K., Burlington, Vt.— A buys a horse of B, agreeing to pay $500 

 for the same. B says to A, " When you pay me for that horse I want 

 you to give me $750 before a crowd for effect." A asked a friend of B's 

 if he would see that he got back $250 if he paid B $750, saying that he 

 would see that he got the amount back. A goes into tne hotel and says 

 to B before the crowd, " Guess that I wilt pay you for that horse now,' 

 and pulis out his money, and counts out seven one hundred, and one 

 fifty dollar bill, and handed them to B saying, " There, I believe that 

 makes us square;" after which B meets A and gives him back $250, as 

 agreed on. B then makes a bet with C that he (B) received $760 for the 

 horse. Who wins the bet, which was $25 aside ? Ans. C wins the bet. 

 B most assuredly did not receive $750 for his horse, and played a dis- 

 reputable and black-leg game in pretending that he did. 



Laredo.— Please Inform me which is the best locality for agriculture 

 and sheep raising— California, New Mexico, Arizona, or Texas? Ans. 

 We cannot answer categorically, except, as to Arizona, in respect to 

 which we give the testimony of the Citizen, a paper published in that 

 Territory, which says decidedly that " There is no opportunity for agri- 

 cultural colonies to thrive here, because at this time no large body of 

 unoccupied laud with water can be obtained. The worst features of 

 common colonists is the certain disappointment, because of the false 

 basis and information upon which they are induced to come. It is safe 

 for the Eastern press to discourage the formation of colonies for Ari- 

 zona." As to California, it is liable to periods of drought and flood, 

 both of which have destroyed sheep by tens of thousands. Over 100,000 

 sheep perished by starvation there last year. With guaranteed immu- 

 nity from these contingencies we should recommend California. Texas 

 and New Mexico offer many most desirable grazing and agricultural 

 localities. The latter is nearest a market. Any one going into the busi- 

 ness of sheep culture should start with a capital of $5,000. 



Notice to Sportsmen.— Having received so many communication 

 asking us for information in regard to our six-section bamboo trout, 

 black bass, grilse and salmon rods, we have prepared a circular on the 

 ubject, which we shall take pleasure in forwarding to any address. 

 We keep on hand all grades, the prices of which range from $15 to $150 

 We put our stamp only on the best, in order to protect our customers 

 and our reputation, for we are unwilling to sell a poor rod with a false 

 enamel (made by burning and staining to imitate the genuine article) 

 without letting our customers know just what they are getting. 



P. O. Box 1,294.— [Adv. Abbey & lmbrie, ss Maiden Lane. 



^civ §uhIicutwMJ, 



Hallock's Sportsman's Gazetteer Abroad.— As evi- 

 dence of the appreciation in Which this popular cyclopedia is 

 held abroad, we are pleased to state that it is now being re- 

 printed at Paris and Leipsic in the French and German 

 languages, by permission of the holders of the copyright. A 

 like application has also been made by a prominent London 

 publishers. From its first appearance it has received very- 

 favorable comment from the foreign press, as well as from 

 residents of foreign countries. The following letter is from 

 Prof. D. G. Elliott, F. R. 3., F. L. 8., etc., who is the author 

 of many comprehensive and valued works on fauna, more 

 especially in ornithology. At this moment he is engaged in 

 a specific work on Hornbills : 



5 Rub Tilsett, Paris. 

 Mr. Charlrs Hallock : 



My opinion of your work can be summed up in a very few words, 

 viz.: That it is altogether the most comprehensive and valuable publi- 

 cation of the kind ever brought out in America. I cannot see what 

 any sportsmen needs more, and if he don't find all the information 

 neon the subjects of flooi and field, and the things pertaining thereto, 

 which he desires, he must, be au unreasonable creature and a curious 

 sportsman. I heartily congratulate you, and wish the book all the 

 success It deserves, which, of course, will be very great. 



F. Von Guernors, late of Der Waidmann, now of De.)' 

 Deutclien Jagdzeitung, Leipsic, Germany, writes : 



It is a selection of all that the hunter and shooter wants to know 

 and although I believe I know a good deal about hunting matters, and 

 that which you call "woodcraft," I am very glad to confess that I 

 found many things which were new to me. I intend to print a critical 

 review of it in one of my next issues, and to illustrate it with your 

 portrait and a brief biography, lam sure to provide yon a good lot 

 of purchasers for your excellent book, which I would warmly recom- 

 mend. 



[From. Chasse Illustree, Paris.] 



Perhaps one of the best known of our sportsmen, understood 

 in its proper sense, and who writes most intelligibly on hunt- 

 ing and fishing topics, is Mr. Charles Hallock, the editor of the 

 Forest and Streak, of New York. Mr. Hallock has just 

 published a work called the "Sportsman's Gazetteer," which is worthy 

 of beiug translated into all European languages. We are very anxious 

 that this remarkable book should be interpreted by us into French. Iu 

 its text may be found everything which relates to hunting and fishing 

 in America, with the fullest details as to the habits of all the creatures, 

 whether of the field or flood, which man engages in capturing. Da 

 addition, the work furnishes the most complete instruction as to the 

 methods of shooting and fishing, with details of mi interesting cha- 

 racter in regard to a life in the woods. Here, too, may be found a 

 map, and a guile into the best sections of the United States where 

 game is found. It should be remembered that Mr. Charles Hallock is 

 no apprentice in either woodcraft or book-makiDg, as he is the author 

 of two standard publications, "The Fiehing Tourist" and "Camp Life 

 inFloriaa." The title Mr. Hallock has adopted for his work, "The 

 Sportsman's Gazetteer," is no pompous sign; such as one sometimes 

 sees over an empty shop. The writer is not one of those authors who 

 manuafcture books about travel', or of hunting incidents, from their 

 inner consciousness, taking their inspirations from their study room. 

 What Mr. Hallock writes about he has seen himself , and he tells his 

 own experiences. He talks about, what he knows, and does not care 

 for other people's hearsays. In a Bingle word, it is a living, positive 

 book. Any one who wants information in regard to game iu the United 

 States will find all he requires in the "Sportsman's Gazetteer." In tho 

 eight hundred pages which make up the complement of the book, there 

 is not a single ieaf which does not impart some useful lesson. Some- 

 thing more, in addition to the facts imparted in this excellent work, 

 there is this, that the author possesses a certain elegance and vigor 

 of style which makes the "Sportsman's Gazetteer" most pleasant and 

 instructive reading. 



[ From Land and Water, London.] 

 A few pages of introduction in backwood taxidermy, and a 

 bibliographic list for sportsmen, bring us to the latter division 

 of the " Gazetteer," which termination, like a postscript to a 

 lady's letter, is>perhaps the most Important patt of the work. 

 This part is entitled "Sportt man's Directory to the Principal Resorts 

 for Game and Fish in North America." Each State of the Union is 

 dealt with separately. A sketch of physical features being given in 

 general terms, and its character as a game bearing region stated. Each 

 county of the State is then dealt with in detail. The varieties of game 

 and fish found in its forests ard plains, rivers and lakes; the best 

 routes for travelling to them, the kind of accommodation attainable, 

 and indeed almost auy kind of information the sportsman can require. 

 The whole is supplemented by some excellent maps, which enable the 

 intending sportsman— voyayeur— to ascertain at a glance the exact 

 position of the district he purposes visiting, and quickly aids him in 

 determining the distance from them to other grounds which he niav 

 desire to visit, etc. On the whole, Mr. Hallock s >•■■■■■■ i ' ; n. n .;.;, 

 amount of useful information, useful of course to the sporting fra- 

 ternity of his own country in particular, and to those speaking the 

 English language going to the States on sporting expeditions, ana we . 

 think the author ha* not overvalued his wok in expressing his wiiling-- 

 ness to allow it to stand on its own merits alone. 



[From the London Field.] 

 Mr. Hallock, the author of " The Fishing Tourist" and the editor 

 of Forest and Stream (the New York Field), has given us a book 

 that was very much wanted, not only in New York, but here. A 

 more complete and comprehensive work than the "Sportsman's 

 Gazetteer" probably has never been produced by any sportsman. 

 It does not matter what you want to know in reference to American 

 sport— whether it be a recipe to kill mosquitoes, or how to get hold of a 

 salmon river, or where to get the finest cariboo and moose hunting. 

 From the lowest to the highest, every interest in sport is here represent- 

 ed, weighed and filtered in the most convenient parcels. * * * Mr»" 

 Ha'lock has displayed very great energy, patence and perse veranae. in. 

 in collecting so vast a mass of valuable .sporting information. His book, 

 indeed, is half a dozen books in one— sporting ''national, hislprioaV' 

 "medical," "topographical," "practical," and, let us hope beyond all, 

 as a wind up, and as it deserves to be to the author, that the work will 

 be " profitable." 



An Exile from PoLAND-By Ringgold MoCay : Rogers & Sherwood, 

 New York, printers. 

 This is an Epic of far more than average merit, whose scenes are laid 

 partly in the American wilderness and part y in baronial halls of Poland. 

 Iu the course of the narrative, which is sufficiently diversified with 

 music, flowers, forests, love, jealousy, clash of arms and tragic inci- 

 dents, to give it piquancy and zest, the causes that led to the hero's exile 

 from Poland to America fnlly appear. The interest of the story is fully 

 sustained throughout, and the deuoument follows with dramatic effect. 

 Mr; McCay is a painstaking writer, who has the natural gift of poesy, 

 and we venture to say that his very few efforts which he has made hith- 

 erto are more worthy a place of honor than a majority of so-called 

 poems which have been lauded beyond their merits. The volume com- 

 prises 150 pages of tinted paper, and will make a very pretty holiday 

 token and companion for the parlor table. 



