Jan. 20, 1894.] 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



49 



and cannot be used in others. Ortainly these are merits 

 and demerits of posvdersfor practical as well as commer- 

 cial use. 



Walsrode has one un-leniably theoretical advantage 

 that it is not as much affected by extreme damp and heat 

 as the other powders, but Mr. Tenner lays too much im- 

 portance upon this point. Schnltze or E C. cartridges 

 are generally not stored on wet cellar floors or in red hot 

 baking ovens. Thousands of shooters the world over can 

 testify to the fact that loaded Sehultze and E. C. car- 

 tridges can be safely kept one year or five, and there is 

 not a day in the year where cartridges some years old are 

 not used with as much satisfaction as black powder car- 

 tridges of similar age. This is, as is well known, not the 

 case with all other nitro powders. 



Another feature of Mr. Tenner's table of merits is that 

 he allows 30 points for "least bursting strain in propor- 

 tion to velocity." Under this head, one special powder 

 is credited with 29 out of the possible 30 points of merit, 

 which according to his own standard of desirable killing 

 force has never once with the regularly loaded trial am- 

 munition of 3drs. reached a velocity of penetration which 

 is sufficient and meritorious. 



This is all wrong. Of what good is a comparatively low 

 bursting strain wben the accompanying velocity is not 

 sufficient for practical work? None whatsoever. It ouly 

 makes matters worse. 



On the contrary, instead of figuring a very low burst- 

 ing strain as a merit, I should penalize it as a distinct de- 

 merit and as lacking a desirable element of force which 

 of necessity must be present in all high grade and prac- 

 tically most excellent ammunition. Bursting strain up 

 to an easily permissible degree influences time from the 

 instant the cap is detonated to the time the charge of 

 shot is well under way, and it helps to reduce total time 

 from the pressing of the trigger to the shot reaching its 

 object. I would as little think of using cartridges with a 

 decidedly low bursting pressure for my own use at game 

 or at the traps, as I would think of using a powder with a 

 dangerous bursting pressure. 



A fine grain of black powder will generally give a 

 somewhat higher velocity as well as considerably higher 

 bursting strain than a coarse grain of same kind. 



The disregard of th" difference in total time consumed 

 induced Mr. Tenner to say that a quartering bird, flying 

 at the rate of forty miles an hour, 40yds. from the gun, 

 need be led only two or three inches more with a charge 

 of coarse grain than with one of fine grain black powder, 

 or practically not at all. Every observing practical shooter 

 knows differently, and Mr. Tenner as easily as anybody 

 else can figure out the difference by feet and inches. 



Again, with the same propriety and for the same rea- 

 sons" that in years past the high grades of black powders, 

 such as the Curtis & Harvey, Orange Lightning, etc., 

 giving greatest velocities, were preferred by all who 

 wanted the best to the cheap grades of black powders, 

 although the latter gave correspondingly lower bursting 

 pressures, do we want now a nitro powder giving high 

 velocity and great killing force, although the bursting 

 pressures are higher than those of cheap powders. 



I am far from advocating excessively high initial pres- 

 sure as desirable. What I wish to say h that cartridges 

 giving luw initial pressures, coupled with low velocities, 

 are damnably worthless for practical use, and that I look 

 upon a certain amount of the energy, which Mr. Tenner 

 calls bursting strain, as absolutely desirable as long as a 

 half-way decent gun is being used. For this reason it is 

 a farce to figure the actual merits of powders as Mr. Ten- 

 ner has in the above instance. 



For highest actual velocity only 20 out of the total 200 

 points are allowed, althotiga velocity is what we all want 

 most, as long as it is coupled with sufficiently close pattern 

 and safety. A con llict of Mr. Tenner's theories and actual 

 practical value to the sportsman. 



To go into details would carry me too far, although the 

 basis of awarding other points of merits are as open to 

 criticism as the aforementioned ones. 



However, the study of ballistics is inexhaustible, and 

 there is lots of room for honest differences of opinion. I, 

 for one, hope that Mr. Tenner will make his American 

 testing institution a practical and to himself a financial 

 success, and I shall be ready at any time to give Mr. Ten- 

 ner such assistance as is in my power. 



Should, contrary to my judgment and that of other par- 

 ties in positions to judge, a powder like the Walsrode be 

 found desirable from a commercial point of view, then 

 both the Sehultze as well as the E. C. Co. would put a 

 similar powder upon the market within a few months' 

 time, which both, 1 have reason to believe, would prove 

 decided improvements on the original of these condensed 

 strength Walsrode powders. I think, however, that there 

 will be no occasion for it. 



The question whether a powder of decreased bulk and 

 increased strength, as compard to best of black powders, 

 is desirable has been answered in the negative by the fail- 

 ures of several such powders, and the signal practical and 

 fiuancial success of the two powders, which have been 

 made to compete with black powder bulk for bulk and 

 measure for measure, and one half in specific gravity, 

 namely, Sehultze and E. C. powders. 



I know that it is much easier and also less expensive to 

 make a nitro powder of conde.ised strength, but possible 

 changes are not aimed in that direction as faras E. C. and 

 Sehultze powd> rs are concerned. 



One of the greatest prides and boasts of the Sehultze Co. 

 is that for nearly ten years they have not changed their 

 powder, and that no matter where Sehultze powder is for 

 sale the world over, it is of alike standard strength and 

 kind, owing to the fact that such immense quantities are 

 mixed and kept in magazine and mixing houses for from 

 one year and over, under constant observation. Special 

 "family powder," strong, weak, extra good or poor 

 batches, are never issued as such. 



The wonderful success of the American E. C. powder, 

 with its hard grain and consequently easy manner of 

 loading, has induced the Sehultze Co. contemplating to 

 improve their powder in this i espect. Since a year they 

 have been filling their magazines with a powder which is 

 in all appearances the same as their regular powder, but 

 the grain is as hard and indestructible as black powder. 

 The same standard of strength and quickness, specific 

 gravity and bulk will be retained, but the loading will ba 

 greatly simplified, as various pressures on wads will not 

 make any greater practical difference in loading than 

 with black powder. This hard grain powder will be 

 issued some time this coming fall, and I know will meet 

 with general favor, 



In conclusion, and referring to Mr. Tenner's tests, I will 

 say that although the proverb goes that figures don't lie, 

 it is necessary to know how they were arrived at, and 

 even then without practical tests it will be difficult to 

 arrive at their real practical and commercial value. 



Justus Von Lengerke. 



THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION. 



[From a Staff Correspondent.] 



The first annual meeting of the National Game Bird 

 and Fish Protective Association was held in the Sherman 

 House, Chicago, Jan. 10. The president, Mr. M. R. Bor- 

 tree, presided. There was a fair attendance of members 

 present, the majority residents of Chicago. Following is 

 the list: Messrs. E.'K. Adams, M. R. Bortree, F, S. Baird, 

 C Essman, Thos. P. Hicks, W. N. Low, W. B Leffingwell, 

 J. Roberts, C. Soarre. Jr., Geo. W. Strell, EL B. Tefft, R. 

 S. Mott, N. S. Birkland, A. M. Birkland and Dr. C. W. 

 Lichtenberg. all of Chicogo, and Mr. J. P. Barnum, Prairie 

 du Chien, Wis., Mr. A. L. Lakey, Kalamazoo, Mich., and 

 Mr. T, E. Pond, Milwaukee, Wis. 



Mr. Bortree' briefly reviewed the work of oi'ganization in 

 previous meetings. 



On motion, several applications for membership from 

 individuals and clubs were accepted. 



It was voted that the president and secretary be 

 authorised to pass on the nominations of honorary mem- 

 bers. 



Mr. Lakey caused a long and fruitless discussion by 

 presenting the following as a resolution: 



nniereas, The gun is an article used mainly for man's pleasure and 

 seldom for bis pecuniary profit; and 



WTiereas. Many objections are made by some of our Legislatures to 

 the expense of enacting and enforcing proper laws for game and flsb 

 protection; and 



Whereas, Some good men are opposed to appropriating State or 

 public money for such purpose; therefore, 



Resolved, Bv this Association in animal session, that we believe ii 

 would be no injustice to the sportsmen, or the men that keep and use 

 the gun, to ask our several State Legislature** to enact and enforce 

 suitable laws for the levying and collectins of a license tax ou eacl 

 and every gun in its domain, and to punish by fines and ira prison tnem 

 or both any person carrying or using any gun of any kind whatever, 

 for the purpose of shooting or trying to kill any song game bird or 

 water fowl, or wild animal of any kind or description whatever, with- 

 out having paid such license or tax; and further 



Resolved, Th t s-ueh license or tax should not be less than $2 50 or 

 more than $5 per arm; aud further, that such license or tax should go 

 to the support, of aud to enforce just and proper laws for game and 

 fish protection. 



Mr. Low seconded the resolution as a matter of courtesy 

 and then proceeded to show its unsoundness. After quite 

 full d'scussion the sentimmt was that the idea was good, 

 but that it wouldn't do now, but might do some time 

 later. It was tabled. 



Mr. B lircl then offered the following preamble and 

 resolutions: 



Whereas. Large quantities of game are continually being shipped to 

 this and oth-r markets, contrary to the laws of the various States 

 where it is billed, and therefore be it 



Resolved, That the president of this Association be and he is hereby 

 directed to cmse written notice to be served on the express and other 

 transportation compaui°s. notifying them that unless they cease re 

 ceiving and shipping game from States having non-export laws they 

 will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law by the joint efforts o 1 

 the State Association and national associations, and in the event o! 

 their failing to obey the laws of the several States, prosecution be ai 

 once brought against them. 



After tbe resolution was seconded, Mr. Low was 

 promptly on his feet and informed the assemblage that as 

 president of the Illinois State Sportsmen's Association he 

 was competent to do the work of protection in Illinois. 

 The whole gist of his remarks was that the Association 

 was '-usurping the functi of the S^ate Association. It 

 was admitted that there was illegal game in the Chicago 

 market from non-export States, and therefore it was plain 

 that t^e Illinois State Association was not entirely effi 

 cient in enforcing the game laws. But dignity and func- 

 tion were an issue. 



Mr. Mott made the point that the lowliest citizen in the 

 State bad a right to take action in enforcing the law. It 

 was not a right confined exclusively to any individual or 

 association; but he did object to the resolution because he 

 considered that, not having any money in the treasury, 

 the Association coul 1 not prosecute. It w T ould be making 

 threats it could not fulfil. 



Mr. Bortree showed the good which could be accomp- 

 lished by diligent personal efforts. He and Mr. Pond had 

 called on several express companies, all of which promised 

 not to transport any more game illegally. 



Mr. Baird then said if the Association could not fight it 

 had better quit at once. But he knew they could fight 

 without money. He had assisted in prosecuting twenty- 

 one cases in Chicago without' money and twenty of them 

 were convicted. 



Mr. Leffiagwell was in sympathy with the resolution, 

 but thought nothing could be done without money. In 

 the country, neighbor would not inform against neighbor, 

 and an informer was looked upon as odious. Stacks of 

 grain and hay were burned sometimes and mischief done 

 in retaliation. 



Mr. Barnum cited several instances where illegal shoot- 

 ing and cold storage was supressed by a firm notice of 

 intention to prosecute. The threat a'one was sufficient 



Much time was consumed in this discussion, The reso- 

 lution was adopted. 



Treasurer Hicks reported seventy-five members at %\ 

 each, and three clubs at $5 each. After deducting ex- 

 penses, there was a balance on hand of $ i7.9o. The report 

 was accepted. 



The secretary, on the motion of Mr. Mott, was in- 

 structed to. cast a ballot for the same list of officers for the 

 ensuing year: President, M. R. Bortree, Chicago; First 

 Vice-President, A. L. Lrtkey. Kalamazoo, Mich.; Second 

 Vice-President! Joseph H. Hunter, Washington, D. C ; 

 Secretary, F. E. Pond, AVilwaukee, Wis.; Treasurer, T, B. 

 Hicks, Chicago; Attorney, F. S. Btird, Chicago. 



All dues paid in are considered applicable to 18J4. Mr. 

 Low objected. 



It was carried that any application for membership 

 properly vouched for by any member be accepted by the 

 Association and the applicant be considered a member, 



Mr. Strell presented a preamble and resolution as fol- 

 lows: 



Wliereas, Game and fish wardens are the legalized protectors of 

 game, and fish in their respective States, and 



Whereas, With their hearty support and co-operation with this As- 

 sociation, protection of game and fish would be made easier. 



Resolved, That this society obtain the addresses of every game and 

 fish warden throughout the United States, keep the same on file, and 

 pledge each and every one to the moral and financial support of this 

 Association, and, further, 

 I Resolved, That this Association will notify all game wardens of ille- 



gal shipments from their section whenever possible, and ask for the 

 prosecution of offenders. 



Mr, Low seconded the resolutions. 

 The president, secretary and treasurer were appointed 

 to select a design for a club badge, have the badges made 

 and charge a suitable price for them to members, the 

 price not to exceed $2. It was not compulsory on mem- 

 bers to buy them. The committee on badges is to report 

 at the next annual meeting, to be held in Chicago. 



The purposes are specifically set forth in Article I, of 

 the Association's constitution, as follows: 



"This Association is formed for the purpose of securing 

 co-operative work among State sportsmen's association, 

 game wardens and individuals in protecting game and fish 

 during the close season; to obtain harmonious legislation 

 by and between the several States, territories and districts 

 in their game laws; to discourage the reckless killing of 

 any and all kinds of game for pleasure or for pecuniary 

 profit, prevent the unnecessary destruction of forests and 

 the killing of insectivorous and song birds, encourage a 

 general adoption of the game warden system, extend the 

 number of State and National parks by proper legislation, 

 foster the introduction and protection of new species of 

 c?ame; ascertain, defend and protect the rights of sports- 

 men, and promote the affiliation of all worthy members 

 of the fraternity throughout the United States." 



A most deplorable state of game destruction was de- 

 scribed in a letter, under date of Jan. 5, from Mr. J. N. 

 Wass, president South Dakota Sportsman's Association, 

 B resford, S. D. He wrote: "The Dakotas should be 

 the grandest grouse and wildfowl State in the Union, but 

 is fast being depleted from two causes. First, shooters 

 from all over the Union come here to help us slaughter 

 our game birds, and most of them are not disappointed. 

 Second, and by far the most destructive cause is the winter 

 trapping along the Missouri River. Observation and ex- 

 perience have proved to me that our pinnated grouse are 

 to a. certain extent migratory, and last fall they began 

 their southward journey in October, and it lasted to some 

 time in November. They go south to the Missouri River 

 where they winter in the wooded bluffs and valleys, and are 

 now congregated by thousands along the river from Yank- 

 ton. S. D., all down through Iowa, and it is by trapping and 

 shipping that their numbers are lessened more than by 

 shooting. I do not know how far up the river the birds 

 use. Vermillion and Elk Point are two places where the 

 people all seem linked together in gam 1 traffic. It has 

 oeen stated that in the winter of 18^8-89, at Elk Point, 

 S. D , there were paid out for chickens alone $39,000, and 

 I have looked up the matter sufficiently to believe the 

 statement not overdrawn. It is impossible for an indi- 

 vidual to get a conviction there, for it has been tried, and 

 the officials have helped the parties under arrest to escape 

 from the court room while having a preliminary trial, 

 and they are now at large. It will take concerted action 

 lo accomplish any good there. I think that there is no 

 place in the whole United States where more good to the 

 sportsmen at large could be accomplished than by having 

 ame wardens sufficient to properly patrol the Missouri 

 River for both Iowa and South Dakota; for birds winter- 

 ing along that stream spread themselves all over South 

 Dakota, if not Iowa, in the spring to nest and rear their 

 yo.ung. Enough birds passed here last fall, going south, 

 t > st >ck a good portion of the State well next spring. 



"I believe if it was looked into it would be found that a 

 good share of the chickens received at Chicago came from 

 the Missouri River country. Protection here would affect 

 a large scope of country." 



There were many more letters which the secretary had 

 with him, but owing to the dilatoriness of the meeting, 

 there was not time to read them during its continuance. 



B. Waters. 



909 Security Building, Chicago. 



Restocking Rhode Island. 



Providence, R. I., Jan. 8.— All the true sportsmen of 

 the State of Rhode Island are glad to see the way the 

 State Protective Association is taking hold of the restock- 

 ing plan. 



Tnis year has been reported as certainly the poorest of 

 anykno»vnfor fairly good ba°;s. Last year's hard win- 

 ter practically exterminated the hardy little Bob White, 

 while that staunch and sturdy old monarch of our Rhode 

 Island timber, the ruffed grouse, is very scarce. Theboys 

 have, fixed the law now so that nothing can lawfully be 

 killled after Jan. 1, but of course it is practically impos- 

 sible to keep the law enforced. The association is doing 

 good work, but the same old cry "Lack of ready cash" 

 fs heard when active work is needed. There are a gosd 

 many free, open-hearted sportsmen here Avho are willing 

 to put their hands in their pockets, but it is hard work 

 sometimes to draw them out full when they think that 

 they alone are supporting the association. But to the 

 credit of those who do help along the association and its 

 good work much can be said, for the laws are much bet- 

 ter respected than some few years ago, and all we want 

 now is to make good the big hole in the game supply. 



Mr. Thos. Aldrich has been south looking up quail, and 

 as a result a good many hundred birds are now being let 

 loose throughout the State. Mr. Aldrich brought home 

 some 300 quail a week ago Saturday, and despite the 

 averse circumstances they were in excellent condition. 

 The larger part of the quail were subscribed for by mem- 

 bers of the association, and upon arrival were delivered to 

 the parties, who liberated them therever they may choose. 

 Several parties who had not subscribed to the general 

 fund have now made application for birds, and the result 

 will be the State will soon be pretty well restocked. The 

 birds are supplied by the association at cost, and as fast 

 as disposed ot more are ordered. They are being distrib- 

 uted mostly through the Blackstone Valley, Scituate and 

 Kingston. 



Messrs. Carpenter and Bender, of the Farm and Field 

 Club, took some eight dozen birds out to the farm yester- 

 day and reported in first class condition. Next Thanks- 

 giving possibly the boys will have broiled quail. The 

 Farm and Field Club are getting ready for a big fox hunt 

 soon. Foxes are thick near the "farm" and parties in 

 that section have secured several this season. Tode. 



A Virginia Shooting Ground. 



Waverly, Va.— There is plenty of game here, such as 

 wild duck, wild turkey and many deer. Squirrels I have 

 never found so plenty as they are along the streams, rivers 

 and awamps. F. TJ<$ 



