100 



FOREST AND ■ STREAM. 



[Aug. 8, 1895. 



Fish Preserving in Montana. 



Many of the Montana streams having been restocked 

 with fish by the State authorities, the question as to the 

 rights of riparian owners is being agitated there as it is 

 elsewhere. The Helena Independent of July 15 says: 



"One of the prominent attorneys of Missoula volunteers 

 his opinion to the Silverite that fishermen have the right 

 to fish in any of our public streams, notwithstanding 

 notices against trespassing and fishing. The streams of 

 this State are stocked with fish for the benefit of the 

 people of the State and not private individuals, who own 

 a few acres of land and labor under the delusion that 

 they also own the river running through their land. In 

 many parts of the State signs are displayed warning fish- 

 ermen not to trespass on the land or fish in the stream, 

 and these warnings have been obeyed by many simply be- 

 cause they were ignorant of the law and did not want to 

 cause trouble. A fisherman has the right to fish in any 

 public stream or river, and the owner of the land cannot 

 stop him." 



rTAnglersTAssociation of the St. Lawrence. 



Alexandria Bay, N. Y.— The twelfth annual meeting 

 of the Anglers' Association of the St. Lawrence River will 

 be held at Clayton, N. Y., ten o'clock A. M., Wednesday, 

 Aug. 7, 1895. There is business of importance to be 

 transacted. W. H. Thompson, Secretary. 



All About Block Signals. 



"Block Signals on the New York Central/' the latest addition to 

 and No. 17 of the popular "Four-Track Series" of "America's Greatest 

 Railroad," is from the press of the American Bank Note Company; 

 contains 04 pages, narrow octavo, beautifully printed on coated 

 paper and illustrated with graphi3 pictures of signal apparatus and 

 its application to the traffic of a great railroad. The text is from the 

 pen of a celebrated English expert on block signals, and the subject is 

 treated in a way that cannot fail to interest the average traveler, as 

 well as the technical engineer. It is believed that this, the latest of 

 railway safety devices, lias never before been so thoroughly and com- 

 prehensively described and illustrated as in this book. 



A copy will be mailed to any address, free, post-paid, on receipt of 

 three 2-cent stamps, by George H. Daniels, General Passenger Agent, 

 Grand Central Station, New York.— Adv. 



he MmntL 



FIXTURES. 



BENCH SHOWS. 



Sept. 9 to 13.— Industrial Exhibition Association's annual bench 

 show, Toronto, Ont. C. A. Stone, Sec'y and Sup't. 



Sept. 17 to 20.— Rhode Island State Fair Association's third annual 

 bench show, Narragansett Park, Providence, R. I. 



Sept. 17 to 20.— Orange county Fair Bench Show, Newburgh, N. Y. 

 Robert Johnson, Sec'y. 



Sept. 17 to 20.— Montreal Kennel Association's show, Montreal, Can. 

 Geo. K. Lanigan, Hon Sec'y-Treas. 



Sept. 24 to 27. — New England Kennel Club's second annual terrier 

 show, Boston, Mass. D. E. Loveland, Sec'y. 



Oct. 8 to 11.— Danbury, Conn.— Danbury Agricultural Society. G. L. 

 Bundle, Sec'y. 



FIELD TRIALS. 



Sept. 2.— Continental Field Trials Club's chicken trials at Morris 

 Man. P. T. Madison, Sec'y, Indianapolis, Ind. 



Sept. 10.— Morris, Man.— Manitoba F. T. C. John Wootton, Sec'y, 

 Manitou. 



Oct. 29.— Assonet Neck, Mass.— New England Field Trial Club's 

 fourth annual trials. Arthur R. Sharp, Sec'y, Taunton, Mass. 



— . Morris, Man.— Northwestern Field Trials Club's Champion Stake. 

 Thos. Johnson, Sec'y, Winnipeg. 



Nov. 5.— Chatham, Ont.— International F. T. Club. W. B. Wei's, Sec'v. 



Nov. 7.— Newton, N. C— U. S. Field Trial Club's Trials A. W. B. 

 Stafford, Sec'y, Trenton, Tenn. 



Nov. 11. — Hempstead, L. I. — National Beagle Club of America, fifth 

 annual trials. Geo. W. Rogers. Sec'y, New York. 



Nov. 18— Eastern F. T. Club, at Newton, N. C. W. A. Coster, 

 Sec'y, Saratoga Springs, N. Y. 



Nov. 25.— Continental Field Trials Club's quail trials at Newton. 

 P. T. Madison, Sec'y, Indianapolis, Ind. 



Dec. 2 to 4.— High Point, N. C.~— Irish Setter Club's trials. Geo. H. 

 Thompson, Sec'y. 



English Setter Type. 



New York.— Editor Forest and Stream: The letters on 

 English setter type which have recently appeared in 

 Forest and Stream over the signatures of "Cinna" and 

 "Albert" are valuable and worthy of the attention of 

 fanciers. To me it seems, however, that both are wide 

 of the real standing of the matter. "Cinna" disposes of 

 the whole matter of standard and type by judging by 

 comparison, though before a comparison can be made 

 there must have been some type agreed upon as a stand- 

 ard ; otherwise, in determining what is type, it would rest 

 on the personal preference of each individual, and there 

 consequently would be as many as there are individuals 

 who are interested in the matter. Comparison itself pre- 

 supposes that there is some ideal standard of measure- 

 ment; and two individuals when compared with each 

 other are both subjected to a test, not only one against 

 the other, but also by the approved standard, and the 

 winner in a competition is the one which, compared with 

 his competitors and with the standard, is nearest to fill- 

 ing its requirements. Comparing one dog with another 

 would have no meaning if the judge did not have in mind 

 some ideal figure of a dog of perfect form and quality as 

 a measure of one dog's merits against another. "Cinna" 

 can hardly blame the bench shows for any inferiority in 

 the English setter, for, from any point of view, no breeder 

 is obliged to breed to a bench show winner solely because 

 he is a bench show winner. It is always for the 

 breeder to determine what dogs he will breed from and 

 what ones he will not. To assert that breeders have been 

 governed by bench shows is at the same time to assert 

 the ignorance or weakness of the breeders. However 

 much we may attempt to disguise, conceal or ignore it, 

 there are two distinct classes of English setter breeders 

 one of which breeds for the show bench with no thought 

 of using the dogs for work, and the other class which 

 has in mind the useful qualities of the dog first, with per- 

 haps a remote consideration of his beauty. 



."Albert" cites the judging at the New York show this 

 year as an example of the disregard of type, for in 

 writing of it he mentions that the ribbons were each 

 given to dogs of different types. This I believe is true, 

 but common fairness then prompts the question, Could 

 the judge do otherwise ? I think he could not. There 

 were not two setters alike in the show. The judge, 

 whatever type he had in mind, could not follow it, the' 

 dogs being a conglomeration of all types, long and 

 short, high and low, thick and slender, with heads that 

 varied in shape more than their bodies. To blame a 

 judge for distributing prizes to dogs of different type, 

 when there were no dogs of similiar type, is to blame 

 him for that of which he is entirely innocent. No judge 



can follow consistently where there is no consistence as a 

 starting point. 



It is said that the breeders of America have shown great 

 skill. In what way ? When ? Where ? Nearly all the 

 breeders have started with imported stock, or the descend- 

 ants of imported parents, and in my opinion there has 

 been a positive falling off in quality, a degeneration as it 

 were, the breed of setters not being so good to-day as it 

 was ten years ago. Breeders have drifted away more 

 and more from type as they overlooked or disregarded it 

 in their efforts to catch a flashy and fetching pedigree. 

 The doings of a dog as made public by his record were 

 paramount to the merit of the dog himself.. As a fielder 

 a dog might have an excellent record, while physically 

 he might be a wreck, with no power of breeding good 

 workers or lookers. On the other hand, a bench winner 

 might have excellent physical qualities, and still be in- 

 dolent, slothful, indifferent to game, and with no power 

 of reproducing either dogs of good physique or workers. 

 All these important considerations were left out of view 

 in the efforts of breeders to build up their flashy pedi- 

 grees with a view to quick and profitable sales rather 

 than the improvement of the setter. The result is that 

 as type was never considered there is fully as much di- 

 versity of type as there possibly can be consistentlv with 

 retaining character sufficient to distinguish the English 

 setter, and this character is now more one of color than 

 of type, for the color has remained and little else. It 

 would not be difficult at any show to pick out an English 

 setter which would serve admirably for a Gordon were 

 his color black, or another which would serve equally 

 well for an Irish setter were his color red, or for a point- 

 er or greyhound were his coat clipped. 



Many of our breeders began breeding as they might 

 begin any other new venture. They merely bought a 

 couple of dogs and began. If the venture proved a suc- 

 cess, their judgment was rare and they were great 

 breeders; if it proved a failure, the pedigree was a suc- 

 cess and they sold the pedigree with the dogs attached. 



Breeder. 



Bloodhounds and Crime. 



My attention having been drawn to several letters 

 from your correspondents suggesting the formation of a 

 club to keep and train bloodhounds to assist the police in 

 tracking criminals, I should esteem it a favor if you 

 would allow me to relate my experiences upon the sub- 

 ject. 



Some years ago I was fired with an ambition to train a 

 canine Sherlock Holmes, and for this purpose I worked 

 with two young dogs (champion bred), each possessing 

 the points and qualifications which have rendered this 

 breed so famous. 



I found that the dogs would readily follow the track of 

 any one who had previously allowed them to scent their 

 clothing, etc. , but in cases where this was not done their 

 tracking was faulty, and could not be relied upon. 



Moreover, good results depended considerably upon the 

 shortness of time which had elapsed since the trail was 

 laid. Atmospheric conditions also played a most prom- 

 inent part; a strong wind blowing up the track — i. e., in 

 the direction of the object chased — much dust, or the trail 

 passing through running water, being detrimental to suc- 

 cess. 



It is a popular fallacy to suppose that the bloodhounds 

 of the present day possess scenting powers superior to any 

 other breed of dog. We must bear in mind that for gen- 

 erations the bloodhound has had little or no practical 

 training, and any special gifts they might have originally 

 possessed have not been allowed to develop. 



Of one thing I am quite certain, and that is that if the 

 trial does not lay in unfrequented districts, tracking with 

 dogs would be entirely useless. Allow me to put an ima- 

 ginary case. A murder, say, has been committed, and 

 soon afterwards discovered. The dogs are sent for and 

 brought from their kennels some miles away; in the 

 meantime the ground for some considerable distance 

 around the scene of the crime has been disturbed by 

 spectators. Now I am of opinion that, unless the murderer 

 had actually stepped into the blood of his victim, the dogs 

 might nose around for miles without striking the actual 

 trail; and in any case a brace of well-trained sporting 

 dogs, worked by an experienced man, would do just as 

 well. 



I am not writing this in order to discourage any enthu- 

 siast in attempting a most praiseworthy experiment; 

 in fact, it would be an act of presumption on my part 

 to do so. Any movement tending to bring this noble 

 breed before the public should, in my opinion, be en- 

 couraged. 



In conclusion, I would suggest that, if a club be formed 

 for this purpose, each member should — after proving to 

 the district police that the dog is a trained worker — be ex- 

 empt from payment of the usual license. A special 

 badge and collar should also be provided free of charge 

 to the owner of the dog.— F. J. Hutton in Stock-Keeper. 



Guy of Warwick. 



Thr English beagle, Guy of Warwick, owned by me, 

 died July 21 at Paucet Lodge, Truco, Mass. 



He was whelped od March 13, 1883, at the once famous 

 kennel of Norman Elmore, Graabe, Conn. His sire was 

 the celebrated thoroughbred Ring wood, and his dam was 

 Roxy, one of a notable Utter, and in markings and dispo- 

 sition very strongly resembled Ringwood. As a puppy he 

 won first prize in a Massachusetts bench show (the only 

 time he was ever entered), and has always been a pet 

 and house dog, never having had any experience in the 

 field. 



He was a good traveler on land and sea, and the in- 

 separable companion of his master, and his beauty and 

 kindly nature won the admiration and friendship of all 

 whom he met. He died of "old age," failing gradually 

 within a week, and passed away as peacefully as a fading 

 summer day, without a moan or a death struggle, in the 

 presence of those who had tenderly cared for and now 

 sincerely mourn him. His age (12 years and 4 months) 

 seems quite remarkable for a beagle, and since he came 

 into my hands, at the callow age of six weeks, I can re- 

 member nought but good of him, in fact, he was a canine 

 Bayard, and his memory will be cherished as one of the 

 gracious things, too few of which are to the fore in life's 

 devious journey. In his grave rests a faithful friend— in 

 the hearts of those who loved him a sweet memory, and 

 in the home a void that cannot soon be filled! 



Peace to thee, Guy, sincerely says thy loving master 

 and friend, O. W. Rogers. 



A Run with the Beagles. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



With regard to our local beagle meets they proved a de- 

 cided success. During the October moon we had many 

 fair to excellent runs, some lasting long into the night. Of 

 the moon which took its first quarter the first week of the 

 following month the runs were even more successful, with 

 the dogs in better running shape; the pack hunts were 

 very gratifying evidently to both men and hounds. Our 

 last meet was at the West Saugus School House, and 

 although my former neighbor was absent with his hounds 

 we managed to get together a seven-dog pack. The 

 Wakefield contingent brought old Belle of Wakefield, in 

 charge of A. S. Aborn, and Blue Belle (litter sister to Jean 

 Val Jean), owned by Mr. Cooper. Saugus was represented 

 by Bugle, F. Westwood, and Blackie by Mr. Burritt, the 

 writer taking Bowman, Vick R. and Viola, of the Forrest 

 Kennels. 



The meet was called for 7 o'clock, but owing to one or 

 two hitches it was 7 :30 before I reached the school bouse, 

 where I found the party. In a few minutes we were in the 

 woods off Forest street, and with aa wide a ranger as old 

 Belle it didn't take long to find a trail, which, after some 

 work, was duly followed to a start. All the dogs were in 

 it, and such a merry burst that we had through the flat, 

 up the hill, over the ledge down the other side away off 

 to the right, fainter and fainter till they were lost to hear- 

 ing, made us suspect something more than a cotton tail; 

 but subsequent developments didn't warrant the suspicion, 

 for after the dogs had been out of hearing some fifteen or 

 twenty minutes we started to investigate and presently 

 found they had got a check, but were all casting around. 

 Presently old Belle tongued, and by a little maneuvering 

 Ijmanaged to get them all up, when they soon had Mr. 

 Bunny going again for dear life, right across where he 

 started from, with a chorus at his back such as it is seldom 

 one's good fortune to hear. 



After such a sharp burst he either took refuge in the 

 rocks or crossed the road, as the dogs lost him here. 

 Some called them up and proceeded on to the poor farm, 

 where after hitching the horse we let the dogs go again, 

 and no sooner had they disappeared in the woods than 

 there was music started , ana in short order the rabbit was 

 going up the hill as hard as his legs would carry him, 

 with the merry pack in full cry, and going at a speed that 

 was out of all question to follow. 



As the pack goes along the hill we are treated to a 

 splendid echo from across the road, where the rocks give 

 back their cry and fill the whole meadow where we 

 stand with entrancing music. To better hear both the 

 pack and the echo I excuse myself on the ground that the 

 horse may grow fidgetty and walk across the meadow in 

 that direction where I get the full benefit of both pack 

 and echo. Finding the horse all safe I return in time to 

 assist in catching the dogs at their first check, it being 

 now time to seek home, seeing we were all due at our 

 respective occupations in good time on the following 

 morning. After deciding on the place for the next meet, 

 we parted company after one of the pleasantest evenings 

 and some of the best running we had last season. 



Comedy. 



American Fox-Terrier Club. 



Worcester, Mass., July 2o.— Editor Forest and Stream: 

 I beg to inclose you a copy of the "Rules, Standard and 

 Stakes" of the American Fox-Terrier Club, and have in- 

 closed also some mutter in regard to same which I wish 

 you would print. 



On account of the rapid advance made in fox-terriers 

 in America in the past two or three years, and the greater 

 interest shown by breeders, it seemed necessary that the 

 Fox-Terrier Club get out a comprehensive pamphlet de- 

 scribing the club, its standard, constitution and stakes. 



The club stands, I think, first among the specialty cJubs 

 of America, not only on account of the number of mem- 

 bers, but because of the interest taken and the money 

 offered, not alone for its stakes, but for special prizes at 

 the different shows. 



That the club has been successful in improving the 

 breed in America is easily shown from the fact that 

 three or four years ago it was almost impossible for an 

 American-bred terrier to win, while now it is almost im- 

 possible to import a terrier good enough to beat the 

 American-bred, as for example August Belmont's "Vic- 

 tor II. ," who for the past three years has won the grand 

 challenge cup eight times; his colors being lowered only 

 when "Cribbage" was imported, and even now is it only 

 a matter of condition between the two. Imported 

 "Dona" and "Dominica" have had to give way to Messrs. 

 Rutherford's home-bred "Warren Captious;" and the lat- 

 ter owners' "Warren Safeguard," while not quite equal to 

 "Victor II.," has sired the sensational puppy of the year, 

 namely: "Warren Capture," who has carried all before 

 her in the different Stakes, puppy and open classes, 

 through the spring show. In fact, at Boston, Mr. Morti- 

 mer thought her good enough to show against "Victor 

 II." ere he selected the champion smooth to compete 

 against the wire ' 'Cribbage" for the challenge cup, which 

 "Cribbage" was juBt able to win. 



The past year some ten new members have joined the 

 club, and from the value of the stakes given below for 

 the year 1894, it will be seen that when one breeds a good 

 terrier he can more than earn his salt. In fact, with 

 Beverwyck King Pin and Beverwyck Royalist, Mr. Rath- 

 bone won over $450 in 1894, 



The values of the several stakes of the American Fox- 

 Terrier Club for 1894 were as follows: Grand Produce 

 Stakes, $93; Apollo Stakes, $35; Yankee Stakes, $53.50; 

 Stud Dog Stakes, $160; Tomboy Stakes, $35; Home-bred 

 Puppy Stakes, $75; a total of $450.50. 



In addition to these stakes Mr. Thayer offers $100 for 

 the best puppy sired by his Starden's King, and Mr. Hun- 

 newell has opened a Hill Hurst Produce Stake for the get 

 of his stud dogs. 



The club in the past year has offered in special cash 

 prizes alone at the different shows as follows: Westmin- 

 ster Kennel Club show, $200; Hempstead Farm show, 

 $300; Rhode Island State Fair show, $50; Boston Terrier 

 show, $300; a total of $850. 



All these special prizes are now offered for American- 

 bred terriers alone, and it is easily seen that the good 

 work done by the club in the past must continue, and 

 with a membership headed by such breeders as Belmont, 

 Rutherford, Thayer. Hunnewell and Rathbone the ad- 

 vance will be such that at no late date it is confidently 

 hoped tnat a team may be sent to England of American- 

 bred terriers that may hold their own against all comers, 



