[Sept. 8, 1894. 
four puppies, Zeno, Miss A., Bingo and Zip and their dam 
Daisy, and started for a tramp of about four miles to our 
first cover which was drawn blank. 
We started for the next one and in about two minutes 
bunny was jumping for dear life with those five beagles all 
stretched out iu line and making the woods fairly ring with 
the music that a lover of those little fellows likes to hear. 
There was Zeno singing bass, Miss A. high tenor and Bingo, 
Zip and Daisy taking the other parts and keeping in good 
time. Down along the side of the swamp they drove the 
game when it began to get too warm for him, so he cut 
through the swamp where it was very wet and then back 
again. Pretty soon he turned Hgain and the dogs came to a 
check for a minute, but the band commenced to strike up 
•again and up comes "Mr. Rabbit" in full view of Frank and 
J, giving us the full benefit of the race. First one hound 
would lead and then the other, pressing the rabbit so close 
that he took to a small patch of bull-briers, causing his 
pursuers some little trouble in working him out again. 
Finally we heard Miss A.'s high tenor bringing him 
back, and looking over to our right we spy the rabbit bound- 
ng like a rubber-ball back for the swamp. 
Now they have all taken up his track again and it sounds 
although there were fifteen dogs instead of five. On they 
go through the swamp for dear life, when all of a sudden 
ihere is not a sound to be heard for a few minutes, and we 
thought the hare had gone to earth for safety. Off we 
stai-ted to investigate, but had not taken three steps when 
we heard Daisy rout him out of his hiding place and start 
back with him; and then the other four pups struck in one 
. after the other, and on they came, when suddenly all was 
quiet again; but not for long. The rabbit had ' doubled 
again and struck out across the open pasture for the next 
woods, a full three-quarters of a mile away. Then followed 
a race for life until they come to a small brook where the 
trail, got mixed up, but finally it was carried across the 
brook to the railroad where we caught up and put their 
chains on them, as we were satisfied with that run for one 
day's exercise, as it was now eleven o'clock, and we were 
expected home for dinner. 
Let us have more from our beagle friends, and not let the 
setter and pointer fanciers have it all their own way. 
T. Shallcross. 
• • • • 
Higher Entry Fees. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
Under the above caption Dr. Van Hummell, in your issue 
of Aug. 18, has commented upon the entry fees charged by 
the Altcar Coursing Club. As president of the club, I am 
pleased that he has done so. I would like to have others 
express their views. I fully agree with the Doctor in that 
the entry fees for the puppy stakes should be higher. Had 
the Doctor and a few others expressed these views earlier I 
have no doubt but that the Altcar Coursing Club's execu-^ 
tive committee would have made the fees higher. In fact, 
they may do so yet if the coursing men desire it. The com- 
mittee were governed, to a certain extent, in fixing the 
amounts as they did, by the example set them by the Ken- 
more Club (and I was informed that the Doctor arranged 
the programme) at Goodland last October. The committee 
branched out somewhat and left the old "rut" traveled by 
the older clubs, by making Puppy Stakes for both sexes and 
and establishing a Produce Stakes. They hesitated about 
increasing the eatry fees for fear that it might be a failure. 
They also wished to see what would be the result of making 
stakes for both sexes before making any further innovations 
in their programme. Personally, I have no doubt, that had 
the Kenmore Club set the precedent of having high entry 
fees, that the Altcar Club would have followed suit. It is 
evident that the Doctor thinks the committee erred in fol- 
owing the precedent set by the Kenmore Club (and you 
must remember that the Doctor arranged the programme) 
at Goodland last October, as to entry fees for Puppy Stakes. 
In that I fully agree with him. 
The Altcar Produce Stakes. I again agree with the Doc- 
tor in his views on the fees for the Produce Stakes. I advo- 
cated higher entrance fees, and am still in hopes that the 
excutive committee will raise them; in fact, I am quite 
certain that if a few more coursing men will come out and 
speak their views frankly (and we will not consider you 
presumptious for doing so), as the Doctor has done, and tell 
us how many entries you will make if the fees are raised to 
suit, the executive committee will give due consideration 
to such opinions and will fix the fees at such an amount as 
the majority deem best. They desire to make the Produce 
Stakes worth winning and will be only too pleased to have 
you, one and all, make such suggestions as you see fit. 
Re cunning dogs. High entry fees will tend to keep 
them out and this alone in my opinion would be sufficient 
justification to make the entry fees higher. I again agree 
with the Doctor in hoping that our judges this year will not 
let any cunning dog win bis course, be his name Lighcfoot, 
Van's Peter or otherwise. L. F. BA.RTELS. 
Denver, Colo. 
• ■ ■ ■ 
National Beagle Club Trials. 
TArrytown, N. Y., Aug. 31.— Editor Forest and Stream: 
jLn order to avoid confusion, I will hereby state to yourmany 
leaders and beagle owners that at the last meeting of the 
.National Beagle Club of America it was voted that all 
.beagles that will be placed first in the open classes at the 
JNew England Beagle Club field trials of 1894 will not be eli- 
gible to run in the open classes at the National Beagle Club 
.of America field trials, to be held Oct. 29, 1894, at Hempstead, 
iL. I., and they must compete in the champion classes. 
George LAICK, Secretary. 
• ■ • • 
To Hunt Wolves and Coyotes. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
Would you be kind enough to inform me what would be 
the best hound to bunt and trail coyote and wolf with, or 
what should I breed to produce a hound that will trail and 
kill them? I want about thirty to forty dogs. How would a 
cross of English greyhound and foxhound do? Or would 
any of the readers of Forest and Stream give me the bene- 
fit of their experience in this matter? GEORGE HAMMER. 
San Antonio, Texas. 
*.»-#-» 
HUNTING AND COURSING NOTES. 
The premium list of the National Beagle Club's field trials 
is now in the mail. It is neatly arranged and contains all the 
information regarding the different stakes and rules for en- 
tering. Entries to all the stakes, excepting the Champion 
Stake, close Oct. 8, and attention is drawn to the fact that 
every entry must be registered in the A. K. C. Stud Book or 
an extended pedigree as far as can be ascertained submitted 
to the field trial committee. The club also reserves the right 
to reject any entry that from the best information obtainable 
and according to their judgment, is not a standard bred Eng- 
lish beagle. While this sounds a little arbitrary, the club 
evidently does not mean to. have a repetition of the "Pade" 
muddle. 
■ • • • 
A welcome letter comes from Mr. Geo. F. Reed, of Barton, 
Vt., that will serve to keep the ball a-rolling on the beagle 
question. He writes: "Those that have must lose, is the old 
saying. Flash, by champion Bannerman out of champion 
Lou, whelped July 19, a nice litter of six dog pups sired by 
Sport, winner of first at Boston, 1894, in the 13in. class. On 
Aug. 34 four of those were killed by a young bitch that had 
a litter only a few days old in the next room; this bitch had 
never acted cross toward the pups before she whelped. 
I have read with interest the writings of the beagle men 
since we heard from the owner of Snyder. I can guess who 
tore up his manuscript, and I feel the same I think as he did. 
I have seen plenty of mongrels that were called good rabbit 
dogs, but I never have seen one yet that could be trusted 
where there was a flock of sheep, or that was good for any- 
thing on very dry running, or even in deep, damp snow 
where they would ball up. This part of our State is the 
home of the Morgan horse, and our 'Doctors' do not buy a 
horse expecting to get a roadster with a half cross of the 
Clyde, and I do not believe there ever lived a dog that could 
hunt four days iu the week from September until Ma,rch, 
with the kiud of running my beagles have to take unless they 
had a three-quarter cross of the hound. September is close 
by, so that I can shoot a few rabbits in front of the youngsters 
and shall have to enter a few beagles at the trials, just to 
keep the judges from catching cold. I should much like 
to take in the Northwestern trials with some of my dogs, 
but it seems when the trials are through at New York there 
will be no time to skip to Michigan. I would sooner my 
dogs ran every day than take that trip on the cars. Spot R. 
is in season, but shall not breed her, for I waat to have a 
little fun in the challenge class with her." 
• • • • 
It has been supposed for nearly two years past that the 
celebrated greyhound Coomassie, winner of the Waterloo 
cup in 1877-78, died in Mr. H. G. Miller's kennel, and what is 
left of this gallant greyhound is mounted in a glass case in 
that well known courser's home. Information, however, 
came to Stock-Keeper (Eng ) that on Aug, 22 a greyhound 
supposed to be Coomassie had fallen over the cliffs at 
Penarth, in Wales, and was found dead by a policeman. 
Her identity was seemingly established by the collar she 
was wearing, on which was engraved her name and the dates 
of her great victories on the Altcar flats. At the time of this 
Coomassie's death she was owned by a Mr. Bowring, of 
Penarth. Now comes the strange part. One of the Stocli- 
Keeper's representatives meeting the trainer of the late 
Coomassie in London, gave him the above news, which was 
questioned, since he supposed that Coomassie had died nearly 
two years ago in Mr. Miller's kennel, as stated above. The 
question now is, when did Coomassie die? 
• • • • 
The Australian Waterloo cup was run off July 11. This 
is the chief event of the coursing year in Australia, and was 
brought off in the enclosure of the Victoria Coursing Club 
at Melbourne. The cup was won by Bloomer, who repeated 
her last year's victory, but is said to have been decidedly 
lucky iu getting weak hares. She is by Livingston, winner of 
the cup in 1887, and runs back to the best English strains. 
The runner-up was Goldsmith, by Hedley — Sonnet, also 
descended from crack English strains. 
■ • • • 
Mr. L. F. Bartels is down at the Bartels ranch at Kit 
Carson, Col., breaking some of their youngsters to slips. 
Mr. Bartels has replied to Dr. Van Hummel, but the letter 
comes too late for this issue. • 
FIXTURES. 
SEPTEMBER, 
10. 
12. 
13. 
13 
15. 
15. 
15. 
15. 
Rochester, Club SaiI,Oharlotte. 
Lake Ontario. 
Sea Cliff, Ladles' Day. 
New York Bay, Club, N.Y. Bay 
Atlantic City Cor,, Club Cup, 
Atlantic City. 
San Francisco Cor., Cruise to 
Pacific Y. C. Regatta. 
Philadelphia, Delaware River. 
Cor. Phila., Wilkinson Cup, 
Delaware River. 
Columbia, Club, Chicago, Lake 
Michigan. 
Sehoodic, Sail-off for Cup. 
Hempstead Bay, Club, Hemp- 
stead Bay. 
Miramichi, Race, Newcastle. 
Rochester, Ladies' Day and 
Closing Review, Charlotte, 
Lake Ontario. 
W in throp, Club, Boston Harbor 
Larchmont, Larehraont Cup, 
Long Island Sound. 
Beverly, Club Cham., Monu- 
ment Beach. 
Phila., Pen., Mos. Boats, Dela- 
ware River. 
15 16. San Francisco Cor., Cruise, 
Vallejo. 
20. Plymouth, Club, Plymouth, 
20. Plymouth, Club, Plym. Harbor 
22. Squantum, Cham , Squantuin, 
Mass. 
22. American, Seaver Cup, New- 
buryport. 
22. Atlantic City Cor., Trophy 
Race, Atlantic City. 
22. San Francisco Cor., Sail to 
Sausalito. 
22. New York Bay, Club, N.Y. Bay 
22. Knickerbocker, Ladies 1 Day, 
Long Island Sound. 
22. Cor. Phila., Jeaaes Prize, Del- 
aware River. 
?2. Phila., Final Race, Classes 1, 2 
and 3, Delaware River. 
23. San Francisco Cor., Sail Out- 
side. 
29. Miramichi, Race, Chatham to 
Newcastle. 
29-30. San Francisco Cor., Cruise 
to McNear's. 
OCTOBER. 
6. Cor. Phila., Sweeps, Del. River no. Cor, Phila., Club, Del. River. 
13. San Francisco Cor., Final Sail. 
The privilege of deciding the size of the challenger for the America's 
Cup is so manifestly to the advantage of the defender that it is hard 
to understand why, In demanding much that it is not entitled to, the 
holder has on all occasions neglected the opportunity which is thus 
presented. In the earlier of the Cup contests, in fact up to 1886, the 
challenge has come from an existing vessel, leaving no option to the 
holders; hut since that year, on each occasion when a new challenge 
has been discussed— twice by the Royal Clyde Y. C and twice by Lord 
Dunraven, representing the Royal Yacht Squadron— it hasbeen within 
the power of the New York Y. C. to decide on the general size of the 
challenging yacht. Now that a new challenge is again a matter of 
certainty, this same opportunity practically exists. 
There was a time, not many years since, when a challenge was 
looked upon by an influential portion of the New York Y. C. as some- 
thing to be avoided in any practicable, way; as involving, besides the 
risk of the loss of the Cup, a serious expenditure on the part of the 
club, of several thousand dollars, for tugboats, marks and lunches for 
the three trial and two Cup races. Fortunately the club has learned 
to appreciate the inejtimable value of the aeries of races which have 
increased its membership from 450 in 1885, when Genesta raced for 
the Cup, to 1,050 this year; and to know that every dollar expended 
In Cup racing has been returned to it a hundred-fold, the debt of the 
former date being replaced by a very snug surplus to-day. This 
phenomenal growth of the club is not only so far in excess of the de- 
velopment of other yacht clubs, but so disproportionate to the amount 
of racing done by the club each year, an annual regatta and the cruise 
races, that it can only be attributed to one source, the distinction and 
prestige arising from the continued successful defense of the America's 
Cup. The very able business management which has brought the 
club to its present condition of prosperity is fully aware that the very 
worst thing which could happen would be the total cessation of con- 
tests for the Cup; and though the club as a body is by no means 
desirous of too frequent challenges, or from too dangerously fast 
boats, the international races are no longer regarded as a disagreeable 
necessity, but as the most important elements of the club's prosperity. 
but in challenging as it did at Lord Dunraven's request, the Royal 
Yacht Squadron has placed itself in a position where it can no longer 
effectively object on principle to the letter of the new deed of gift, and 
it is quite probable that some sort of an agreement, in nominal accord 
but actual violation of that precious document, will be patched up 
when the time comes; in the meanwhile it seems absolutely certain 
that a definite challenge will be sent before the last yacht of the sum- 
mer fleet is out of commission. This is so nearly a certainty that a 
discussion of the terms and conditions is clearly in order. 
The most important question, now that the former issue of the 
legality and fairness of replacing the original deed of gift by a new 
and very different one has been waived or conceded by the Roya* 
Yacht Squadron, is the size of the challenging and defending yachts; 
a matter in which both sides are deeply interested, but which is, on 
the whole, of more importance to American yachtsmen than to their 
opponents.. To British yachtsmen the building of one yacht to chal. 
lenge for the America's Cup may mean much or little; it may direct 
the attention of yachtsmen to a certain size which will be the par- 
ticular class of the year, or quite as probably only one or two boats 
may be built; on this side, however, it means the creation or re- 
vival of some one class of large yachts which will be the central 
feature of the season's racing; and which, possibly, may retain its 
popularity for more than one season. 
The exact conditions under which the challenge of last year was 
made by the one party and accepted by the other were so complicated 
and so differently interpreted by each side that it is impossible to say 
what may be the outcome of future negotiations for a race next year; 
In discussing the question of the most desirable size, there are three 
points that call for special consideration. First, the size, or class in 
which the defenders are relatively strongest as compared with the 
challengers; secondly, the size which will bring about the greatest per- 
manent benefit to American yachting; and, third, the rights of ex- 
isting yachts. There may be other minor considerations, but these 
three are the vital ones which now demand the attention of yachts- 
meD, and especially of the New York Y. C. 
The first point has been, practically, the only one thus far consid- 
ered by the club in declining various challenges and in restricting the 
contests to the mythical "90ft. class." The superiority of the Ameri- 
can yacht of 80ft. and over to the old tonnage rule cutters of the same 
length has been amply proven, so far as it goes; but the other argu- 
ment on the same side, based on the performances of Madge, Clara 
and Minerva, to the effect that British designers were really stronger 
in American waters in the 53ft. and smaller classes than their Ameri- 
can rivals, is, in our opinion, of far less importance than it is gener- 
ally held to be, such sizes being entirely too small for Cup racing; and 
with the construction of Qloriana, Wenonah and Dacotah it has lost 
whatever force it may have formerly possessed. 
It may be safely said to-day that neither side would willingly race 
for the Cup with a cutter of less than 60ft. l.w.l. nor over 90; and the 
argument is really limited to these extremes. 
The immediate possibilities are three; the building of more yachts of 
the present length, 87 to 88ft. l.w.l.; the building of a challenger, and 
consequently of other yachts, up to the full limit of 90ft. l.w.l.; and 
the return to the size of fifteen years since, about 70ft. l.w.l. In vari- 
ous discussions of this question it has been urged that American 
designers are specially strong in one class, as the 87ft., and corre- 
spondingly weak in others, as the 70ft., not having worked in the lat- 
ter class for some years; or that they would be even better prepared 
to go to the full limit of 90ft. In our opinion, the strength on the 
American side lies not in the supposed excellence of any designers in 
one size rather than another, but in the size which will call out the 
largest fleet of yachts, and of them the largest number of individual 
craft and the smallest number of "syndicate" boats. 
The backbone of Cup defense to-day is Mr. N. G. Herreshoff , and in 
view of Wasp and Gloriana, it is idle to say that the chances are better 
n the 87ft. class because he has never designed a 70-footer. So far as 
the lines and the leading features of the design are involved, it matters 
nothing to the modern designer whether the length be 46ft., 60ft., 70 or 
90ft. ; he is quite as much at home in one as another. There is, how- 
ever, an increased difficulty as the size grows, in that the constantly 
expanding sail plans in even the largest, sizes, with the strong com- 
petition in cutting down weights, make the mechanical features of the 
rig more of an experiment than in the smaller classes. The fleet of 
last year, including Vigilant, who was rerigged three times, was 1 
notably weak above the deck, as wftnesed in the failure of Jubilee, 
the many breakages of Pilgrim, and the radical strengthening of the 
rigging on Colonia and Vigilant. Those designers who have had 
experience in the largest class, profiting by their many failures of last 
year, would undoubtedly be much better fitted to try again, even in a> 
90 footer; but they are very few in number, and there are others who 
should be represented in the next trial races, who have Missed this 
special experience in the largest size. 
We fancy that most yachtsmen will agree with usr that syndicate 
ownership, though necessary at times, is in every way an undesirable 
feature of modern yacht racing, and that the leal interests of the- 
sport are far better served when such men as Com. Morgan, Mr, 
Iselin, Mr. Duncan, Mr. Belmont, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Palmer, and the' 
Adams and Bryant brothers are sailing their own yachts, rather than 
drawing checks for their share of one or two syndicate boats. With- 
out arguing this question, however, we would point out that after the 
costly and largely unsatisfactory experience of many members of th» 
recent syndicates, it is likely to be a difficult matter to get together 
even two or three syndicates next year to put up the very large sum 
necessary to the construction and successful racing of a very large- 
cutter. 
The total expense of building and racing Vigilant last year has been 
estimated at $125,000, and this figure is probably near enough to the 
true amount. From this may be deducted the selling price, $25,000, 
leaving a net loss of $100,000. Judging from Vigilant, to go into the 
next trial races with a fair chance ot BUccess a cutter of the same size 
should be built wholly of Tobin bronze, instead of only partly plated 
with it; she must have at least three complete outfits of spars and 
sails; and she should have, in place of the -crude experiment of the 
Hattie Palmer, a fast, staunch and powerful steam tender, of special 
design, fitted with cargo booms and deck winches, special towing 
bitts, a galley and messroom, with berths for fifty men besides her 
own crew, a complete diving outfit and a fairly well equipped machine 
shop, with portable drills and other tools driven by dynamos, offering 
every facility for handling and repairing the ceeterboard. This may 
seem like a fancy sketch, but it merely means the doiDg properly and 
systematically what has been done in a haphazard and defective way 
with Vigilant this year and last. The expense of such a tender might 
be lessened by her use in common by two or three yachts; hut at best 
a new 87-footer must cost considerably more than Vigilant, and per- 
haps be worth even less after the races. 
All sentiment apart, the modern racing yacht is nothing but a one- 
season toy, almost equally worthless whether she wins or loses; she 
may, by such a chance as this year, put in a second season without 
being outbuilt on the one hand or laid up for want of a competitor; 
but if she is built to win under existing conditions her racing life is a 
short one and her sale value equally small. 
The interests of yacht racing at large are hurt more than they are 
helped by the spasmodic expenditure of extravagant sums on a few 
yachts, followed for an indefinite time by a penitential spasm of en- 
forced economy which leaves them to rust at their docks while alj 
racing languishes. From our knowledge of the past work and training 
of American designers, we have not the least doubt that they are one 
and all to-day, even stronger in the 70ft. class than in any other size, 
