482 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



[Jan. 3, IW. 



THE INTER-STATE FOX HUNT. 



[Special Report to Forest and Stream,] 



THE Inter-State Fox Hunt held its first meeting at 

 Waverlv, Miss., tlie home of Capt, Win loung. 

 Waverly, situated on the high ground overlooking the 

 Tombig'bee River, is a delightful old mansion, and lias long 

 been famous as the borne of the Youngs. Capt. \ Billy" and 

 his brother Mai. "Val," were untiring in their efforts to 

 make the assembled huntsmen comfortable, and the Hearty 

 hand shake previous to our early morning departure for 

 West Point on Friday testified more thorough ly than words 

 can tell to the thorough success of their efforts. The ground 

 was rough and heavilv timbered, making close following 

 impossible. The foxe's had been brought from a distance 

 and baited at a pen for some months back: consequently the 

 races were not as long as could have been desired, but taking 

 everything into consideration the hunt, or rather the held 

 trial for foxhounds, was an unquestioned success. 



All things must have a beginning, and it is doubtful it 

 any test of merit, so entirely novel, has ever resulted in a 

 choice of winners so satisfactory to the mass of competitors. 

 Nearly one hundred dogs were on the grounds, and a very 

 high percentage of them competed in the various stakes. 

 The attendance during the entire meeting was most _ en- 

 couraging, and the marked good feeling which prevailed 

 from beginning to end proves unquestionably that the fox- 

 hound interest is on the Doom. A strong club was formed 

 under the name of the Iuter-State Fox Hunting Club, with 

 the following officers: President, Col. Robert Gra tes , Jack- 

 son, Tenn.; Vice-President, Maj. G. B. Young, Waverly, 

 Miss.: Secretary and Treasurer, Col. Lewis, Paris, Tenn. 

 In addition to these there was a vice-president from each 

 State represented, Col. Anderson, Clinton, Ala.; Mr. Miers, 

 St. Louis, Mo.: Mr. Crump, Louisiana; Mr. Whitlock, Ken- 

 tucky; H. B. Duryea, New York; J. M. Avent, Tennessee. 



Let all Northern, Eastern and Western lovers of the fox- 

 hound join us and there is no telling how far we can go 

 toward the goal of perfection with our favorite dog. 



We regret extremely that the short time given us to pre- 

 pare this report for the next issue of the Forest and Stream 

 prevents our giving a more detailed account of the many 

 pleasant happening's which crowded fast upon each other 

 during our too brief sojourn with those glorious hosts Capt. 

 "Billy" and Maj. "Val." 



On Tuesday, Dec. 18, a start was made at 7:80 A. M. It 

 was a blustery disagreeable day with a strong north wind 

 blowing, making good work impossible. The judges were 

 Messrs. John Davidson, Michigan; Win. Anderson, Jack- 

 son, Tenn.; Wm. Meyers, St. Louis. This race was a test of 

 speed, but as the dogs entered in the bottom class had to 

 run in every class except those for the aged dogs and pup- 

 pies, they also started. There were seven entries in the 

 speed class, viz.: Wild Goose Pack's Calley Gates, Dimple, 

 Don. Ramble, Roam, L. Willis's Buckskin and Leader, In 

 the endurance class ten started, viz., U. B. Johnson's Jack 

 and Dutch, Wild Goose Pack's Don and Roam, Columbus 

 Hunting Club's Rye Straw and Robert E. Lee, J. M.Avent's 

 Lead and Music, Maj. G. B. Young's Walker and Rowdy. 

 As Don and Roam were entered both for speed and bottom 

 we started with a pack of fifteen. 



About two miles west of the house the pack struck a good 

 trail, and going up the road at a rapid pace for about a half 

 mile, turned northwest, and going by the fox pen to the 

 main road, made a complete loss. At this time Dutch and 

 Lead, who had struck another trail, started a gray fox and 

 ran him off north toward the river, out of hearing. The 

 pack, after a few minutes' los3, turned back toward the pen, 

 and doing some good trailing, jumped a large red fox that 

 ran out in plain view of the spectators. They packed well 

 for a short time, but soon made another loss. Lead, Don 

 and Dimple, making a wide cast, caught the trail again and 

 ran the fox to earth before the rest of the pack caught up. 

 Time from jump to finish, 30m. About this time Dutch and 

 Lead were heard coming back from the north with their 

 gray fox, and the pack was harked away to them. They 

 packed and ran well for about 15m., when they again made 

 a bad loss. After hunting around for some time they did 

 some good trailing and jumped him for the second timeronly 

 to be Anally and effectually evaded by the wily reynard. 



A wide circle was then made in search of another track, 

 and the pack finally brought back to a place where some of 

 the spectators had seen a red fox cross about three hours 

 before. The dogs soon struck the trail. Lead and Don car- 

 ried the trail with accuracy and precision for a full half 

 mile, clearly out-working the rest of the pack to a point on 

 the ridge, where Lead jumped the fox. The pack was soon 

 harked to him, doing some beautiful running and packing 

 well for about 35m., when reynard decided that discretion 

 was the better part of valor and went to ground in the same 

 hole that the first fox took. Calley Gates was leading the 

 pack for the last round. 



This ended the day's sport, and in a few moments the 

 large array of attendant sportsmen, including many ladies, 

 wended their way back to hospitable Waverly. The judges 

 very justly awarded to Calley Gates the first prize for speed, 

 the second prize going to Dimple. The winner is a beauti- 

 ful black, white and tan bitch, and shows at times a great 

 turn of speed. She is, however, too wild a runner, making 

 at times some very bad losses. Dimple is a bitch of much 

 the same character, but somewhat slower. Quite a number 

 of other high-class dogs showed well during the day, includ- 

 ing Don, Lad, Buckskin and Dutch. 



Wednesday was set apart for the aged dog (over nine 

 years) and puppy (under twenty months) classes. In the 

 aged dogs seven started, viz., Wild Goose Pack's Fleet and 

 Chester, Columbus Hunting Club's Drummer, Jesse James 

 and Rover, Maj, G. B. Young's Monk and Frolic. The 

 puppy class had five entries, viz., W. B. Johnson's Sam and 

 Joe, Columbus Hunting Club's Rose II., L. Willis's Lou 

 and Dora. The weather was cold and clear and much more 

 favorable than the preceding day. The attendance was 

 large, and a start Was made at 8 A. M. Two miles from the 

 start a strike was made, and some nice trailing was done for 

 a short time, when the hounds got scattered. Two hounds 

 were heard about a mile away near the river, one of which 

 Col. Lewis claimed as old Fleet, and the whole crowd 

 harked the dogs away and went like wild men to join 

 them When we neared them it was found that two out- 

 side dogs had trailed a deer from across the river. The dogs 

 were then carried back toward the pen to see if thev would 

 start again on the trail they had lost. On the way they 

 struck another trail, supposed at first to be of a fox 

 and did some very good trailing down to the hurricane 

 From the way the hounds worked it soon became evident 

 that they were on a wildcat, and the master of hounds or- 

 dered the dogs to be blown off to try for another fox. After cir- 

 cling around for sometime through the pine hills they struck 

 the trail of a gray fox, which they soon jumped and lost. 

 While at loss an unentered dog named Brooks jumped a deer 

 and was joined by the rest of the pack. After a p^ood race 

 of about an hour and a half the dogs went out of hearing 

 toward the river. This was a very exciting race, as the deer 

 was frequently seen by the attendant sportsmen as he dodged 

 through the woods and across the. different roads which 

 intersect the woods at this point. When the dogs went out 

 of hearing the master of hounds ordered the hunt off for the 

 morning and we proceeded to Waverly for dinner. 4s most 

 ?L £L7?Jr ^°? e consi 1 s , kld of trailing the cat and running 

 J^ges could not come to a satisfactory decision 

 tl°fS i he °L d u dogs and .puppies out to run next day 

 J^ P £ cks - Subsequently the Judges awarded first and 

 to?h rV n J he B ag 1 d do «, ^ ass respectively to Fleet owned by 

 Wild Goose Pack, and Drummer, belonging to Columbus 



HuntingJClub. Mr. W. R. Johnson's black, vdiite and tan 

 dog Sam won first in the puppy class, and second was 

 awarded to Columbus Hunting Club's Rose. Sam is a beau- 

 tifully marked dog and quite a promising youngster. Rose 

 also showed some very good traits, and with more experi- 

 ence will make quite a good trailer. . . 



After a well-served luncheon the hunters and trailers 

 were ordered out. In the hunting class there were four 

 entries, viz., Wild Goose Pack's Don and Fleet, J. M. 

 Avent's Lead and Cleveland. Nine entered in the trailing 

 class, viz.. Wild Goose Pack's Don and Rambler, Columbus 

 Hunting Club's Rye Straw and Robt. E. Lee, J. M. Avent's 

 Cleveland. Lead and Spot. Maj. G. B. Young's Trouble and 

 Truman. As the bottom dogs had to run also, the three 

 classes made quite a pack, and afforded more sport than any 

 other contest. At three P. M. the dogs struck the trail of 

 the deer started before lunch and did some good trailing, 

 but were soon ordered off for new grounds by the master of 

 hounds. On the new grounds Lead and Don struck a very 

 cold trail and were joined by the pack. Some good trailing 

 was done, when Lead turned to the right and trailing about 

 half a mile jumped the fox. The pack was then harked to 

 join him, and they had a good race for a few minutes, when 

 they lost. The pack then turned back and trailed on the 

 back track for about a mile. Lead, Cleveland, Truman and 

 Trouble left the pack and trailing back in the right direc- 

 tion soon jumped the gray for a second time. They made 

 several rounds after him before the pack could be gotten 

 back to join in the chase. Some beautiful tacking running 

 ensued for about forty minutes, when the fox made a short 

 turn back through the crowd, and an unentered puppy run- 

 ning behind met the fox, and after a short sight race in 

 plain view of the sx>ectators, ran him in a log. As it was 

 nearly dark the dogs were cal led off to be taken home. On 

 the road back, however, they soon struck trail of a red, and 

 the pack turning on the back track Music and Dutch went 

 to the right and started the fox. 



They ran some time about a quarter of a mile ahead 

 of the pack, when the fox made a short turn and the 

 pack caught up with the front dogs. The fox made 

 a wide cast toward the river, and the pack ran out of hear- 

 ing for some time. We then came back by the pen followed 

 by the pack, ruuuing beautifully. After a good race of 

 about two hours they made a loss, and some of the hunters 

 thinking that they had caught the fox commenced blowing 

 horns. This broke up the best day's sport we had during 

 the meet. As it was dark and disagreeable weather the 

 hounds were taken home without any effort to again jump 

 the fox, The judges awarded first prize in the hunting 

 class to Don. He is adarge black and tan dog and shows 

 good hunting qualities and was justly entitled to the award. 

 Lead won first prize for the best trailer and second in the 

 hunting class. He is a good-sized black, white and tan 

 English dog, well formed, and proved himself the best 

 trailer of the meet, constantly taking up difficult losses and 

 jumping nearly every fox in the classes in which he com- 

 peted. He also showed wonderful endurance and speed, and 

 we regret that the time was so short that the endurance 

 class could not be tested between the English and native 

 bred dogs. Second prize in trailing class was won by Tru- 

 man, a medium-sized, well-formed, red ticked dog. He has 

 a good nose and is a close trailer, showing lots of hunting 

 sense. There were other high class dogs in this stake, but 

 our time does not permit description. 



On the third and last day the packs were started. There 

 were five packs aud thirty-three starters, viz., Wild Goose 

 Pack six, J. M. Avent five (one of his dogs not answering in 

 time he was allowed to start five), Maj.'G. B. Young six, 

 Columbus Hunting Club nine, Mr. L. Willis seven. As 

 breakfast was late we started at 10:30 A. M. After hunting 

 a long time a trail was finally struck at 12 M. The dogs 

 trailed beautifully for about a mile through the pine hills 

 and hurricane. Trailing up a steep hill by the hurricane 

 some of the dogs went off on a track that was not a fox, 

 which caused a very bad loss of time. After waiting some 

 time, Lead came up and worked the trail to a place where 

 the fox had jumped some time before. The pack soon joined 

 in and some beautiful work was done for some time on the 

 fox that was evidently walking in front of them. Finally 

 working him across the road into the hurricane again they 

 got a close run on him. At the time, the crowd, evidently 

 excited by the sight of so many dogs, made such a disturb- 

 ance that they caused the pack to make a complete loss. 

 The packs were then separated and circled in various direc- 

 tions for the fox 'without any good results. This ended the 

 meet, as the owners of the Wild Goose Pack and one of the 

 judges were obliged to go home. It was evident to all that 

 the race was between the Tennessee dogs, and very justly 

 the judges gave first prize to the Wild Goose Pack, second 

 prize being awarded to Mr. J. M. Avent. The bottom class 

 was declared off, as there were no opportunities to test en- 

 durance sufficiently. The Wild Goose pack are a very nice 

 lot of even-sized dogs, and hunt well at a good rate of speed. 

 They are not, however, first-class trailers, being a trifle wild. 

 Mr. J. M. Avent's are all close trailers, and show good speed 

 and endurance. Maj. G. B. Young has also a very good 

 pack of reliable trail dogs. 



NEW ENGLAND FOX HUNTING. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



In reading a communication in your last edition signed 

 "Tallyho," I came to the conclusion that hisideas, like most 

 of our erroneous ones, are imported. He tells us that shoot- 

 ing foxes is unsportsmanlike and even murderous, and 

 would hold up to execration all who hunt in this manner. 

 Now I have hunted and killed all kinds of animals east of 

 the Rocky Mountains, and fail to see that a fox suffers more 

 by being shot than any other species of the animal kingdom. 

 From a point of ethics it is obvious that "Tallyho" occupies 

 a poor position, as any person who has ever seen a fox killed 

 by dogs knows that the pain then endured is infinitely 

 greater than when the gun is the instrument of execution. 

 This is so well understood that there are instances on 

 record where the participants in this sort of amusement 

 were prosecuted for cruelty to animals, for even Americans 

 can get a surfeit of "English, you know " 



If "Tallyho" thinks the poor, persecuted fox has no chance 

 to escape, let him try the sport himself. After he has run 

 about for a few hours from hill to hill looking for a chance 

 shot, he will, I think, modify his views on this subject, I 

 have frequently returned empty-handed, as have the rest of 

 a party of. half a dozen good shots, after baving hunted a 

 whole day where foxes were plenty enough to destroy a 

 great quantity of poultry. In conclusion let me suggest 

 that if any man wishes a good day's sport, let him bring 

 together a few companions, with about the same number of 

 slow-running hounds, arm themselves with heavy shotguns 

 charged with BB shot, and start for the woods in a double- 

 seated democrat-wagon (the ride in which will be appreci- 

 ated on their return), and I will warrant that thev will not 

 be averse to repeating the experiment. W. R, W, 



Editor Forest and, Stream: 



I am not a fox bunter, therefore the note on the ethics of 

 fox hunting, which, you printed in a recent issue, is not much 

 of my affair. I merely rise to say that I have met a few 

 New England fox hunters, and, m my opinion, they are 

 sportsmen. Should ever our Southern friend be fortunate 

 enough to fall into their hands, I think he will agree with 

 me. And before dropping down on them quite so hard he 

 should have remembered that the ground in that country is 

 uusuited for cross country riding after hounds, and even if 

 it were not, the sport requires a longer purse than many of 

 us are afflicted with; while nearly any one can stand the ex- 



pense of the style he condemns. I have learned that when 

 any form of sport has a firm foothold in a large area of 

 country it is well to have a thorough knowledge of the ins 

 and outs of the whole subject, and then to tbink several 

 times before making a sweeping denunciation of it. 



In the matter of differences of opinion on any subject, I 

 think the philosophy attributed to a certain semi-civilized 

 Melicete Indian, who lives not far from here, will bear close 

 study and application. A certain religious denomination 

 was divided on, and of course quarreling about, a certaiu 

 point of doctrine. The sachem wondered greatly thereat, 

 as "it was agiu sense." He then proceeded to formulate his 

 views in the following language: "You use worms for bait 

 and ketch um chub, me use chub for bait and ketch urn 

 eel — that's all right.' You tell me what good fish chub is; 

 me tell you what bully fish eel is. You make me believe you 

 —all right: me make you believe me— all right. But 'spose 

 we throw down our lines and go to fightiu'; neither one git 

 anything. Then you try to show me chub is good by cram- 

 min' one down Injun's throat, then" — and the sagamore 

 frowned— "then you must 'spect me to poke eel into you." 

 So, likely enough, "Tallyho'' will catch it; and every one 

 will hold about thesame opinions and as many foxes will be 

 killed as if never a line had been written on the su b jeet. 



L. I. Flower. 



New Brunswick, Christmas Day. 



Editor Forest and Stream: 



In your issue of Dec. 20 "Awahsoose" takes me to task for 

 my "contemptuous comments" on New England foxhunt- 

 ing, and attempts to defend the so-called sport, I beg 

 to say that my knowledge of New England fox hunting 

 has been gained by personal observation during a long resi- 

 dence in Massachusetts, where I had frequent opportunities 

 to take a hand in the sport (?). Fox and hare hunting, as 

 conducted throughout the Southern and Western States, is 

 a time-honored sport, and allowed to be the perfection of 

 hunting. Tallyho and such as he who follows fast and kill- 

 ing hounds on horseback, and undergo the fatigues of the 

 chase, cannot appreciate the "woodcraft" nor the "sports- 

 manship" display of the-man-with-the-gun skulking behind 

 the convenient fence or bmshheap, where he lies in ambush 

 for the luckless fox. "Awahsoose" isnot likely to abandon 

 his "favorite pastime," which involves neither expense nor 

 dangers, and above all secures the coveted fox skin in a 

 salable condition. The slaughter of foxes will go on just 

 the same, the fox shooter will dignify his butchery by the 

 name of sport, and continue to glory in his exploits despite 

 the indignant protest of Tallyho. 



Colorado Springs, Dec. 26. 



THE IRISH WATER SPANIEL STANDARD. 



GALE of points for judging adoDted by the English 

 Spaniel Club, Dec. 3: 



NEGATIVE POINTS. 



s 



111 



.. 5 



.10 



Cording, or tags of dead or).;,, 



matted hair f 



Moustache or poodle hair on I lr . 



cheek f- 



Lank, open or woolly coat. ..10 

 A natural sandy, light coat. ..15 

 Furnishing of tail more- 1 

 than half-way down to r 5 



sting ) 



Setter feathering on lega 15 



White patch on chest 15 



Total 90 



POSITIVE POINTS. 



Head and jaw 



Eyes 



Topknot 



Ears 



Neck 



Body, 7J< 



Forelegs 5 



Hindlegs 5 



Feet... 5 



Stern 10 



Coat 15 



General appearance 15 



Total 100 



DISQUALIFICATIONS. 



Total absence of topknot. 

 A fully feathered tail. 



Any white patch on ariy part of dog, except a small one on chest 

 or toe. 



DESCRIPTIVE PARTICULARS. 



Head.— Capacious skull, rather raised in dome and fairly 

 wide, showing large brain capacity. The dome appears 

 higher than it really is, from its being surmounted by the 

 crest or topknot, which should grow dawn to a point be- 

 tween the eyes, leaving the temple smooth. 



Eyes. — Highly intelligent, amber-colored. Dark is gener- 

 ally preferred. 



xV r osc— Dark liver-colored, rather large and well developed. 

 Ears. — Set on rather low. In a full-sized specimen the 

 leather should be not less than 18in. and with feather 

 about 24in. The feather on the ear should be long, abund- 

 ant and wavy. 



Neclt.— Should be "pointer-like," I. e., muscular, slightly 

 arched and not too long. It should be strongly set on the 

 shoulders. 



Body (including size and. symmetry).— Height at shoul- 

 der from 20 to 34in., according to sex and strain; body, fair- 

 sized, round, barrel-shaped, well ribbed up. When wet 

 would resemble in contour that of a sporting-lookiLg poin- 

 ter. 



Shoulders and chest.— Chest deep, and not too narrow. 

 Shoulders strong, rather sloping and well covered with hard 

 muscle. 



Back a nd loin . — Back strong, loins trifle arched and pow- 

 erful, so as to fit them for the heavy work of beating through 

 sedgy muddy sides of rivers. 



Iiindquarters.— Round and muscular, and slightly droop- 

 ing t woard the set-on of the stern. 



Sb:rn. — A "whip tail," thick at base and tapering to a 

 "sting." The hair on it should be short, straight and close- 

 lying, except for a few inches from its root, where it grad- 

 ually mertres into the body coat in some short curls. 



Feet and legs— Forelegs' straight, well boned. They should 

 be well furnished with wavy hair all round and down to the 

 feet, which should be large and round. Hindlegs* stifle long. 

 Hock set low; they should be well furnished except from the 

 hock down the front. 



Coat — Neither woolly nor lank, but should consist of 

 short crisp curls right up to the stern. Topknot should 

 fall well over the eyes. It and furnishing of ears should 

 be abundant and wavy. 



Color. — Dark rich liver or puce (to be judged by its 

 original color). A sandy light coat is a defect. Total ab- 

 sence of white desirable, any except a little on chest or a 

 toe, should disqualify. 



General appearance.— That of a strong, compact, dash- 

 ing-looking dog, with a quaint and very intelligent aspect 

 (the light rim round the eye, objected to by some, frequently 

 adds much to their intelligent, knowing expression). They 

 should not be leggy, as power and endurance are required 

 of them in their work. Noisy and joyous when out for a 

 spree, but mute on game. 



[We are indebted to Dr. J. F. W. Ross, of Toronto, Ont., 

 who was present at the meeting of the Spaniel Club at 

 Birmingham, Eng., Dec, 3, for a copy of the standard.] 



DOG TALK. 



THE premium list of the coming Pittsburgh dog show 

 has never a word to say about the A. K. C. Evidently 

 the managers are "disgruntled" from some cause and intend 

 running affairs to suit themselves. Whether exhibitors 

 will support them or not remains to be seen. Time was 

 when the Pittsburgh show was in the front rank, but lately, 

 through bad management there has been a serious falling 

 off in its popularity, and it behooves the society to bestir 

 itself and make strenuous efforts to regain its lost prestige. 

 It appears to us that a step not in this direction has been 

 taken in the substitution of a miscellaneous lot of merchan- 

 dise in lieu of cash in the prize list, it is bad enough when 

 giving special prizes to saddle innocent exhibitors with 

 cook stoves, cigars, muffs, casters, umbrellas, pictures, 



