May 18, 1895.] 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
397 
for its patrons the same advantages gladly conceded to 
dramatic troupes, or conventions, etc.? This is a subject 
of great importance to those who do not attend for pleas- 
ure. 
Field Trials in Manitoba. 
Under date of May 9, Mr. Thomas Johnson writes me 
the following interesting information: 
"We asked the farmers from whom the Northwestern 
Field Trials Club had permission to sign the following 
petition: 'We, the undersigned, owners or occupiers of 
lands in the vicinity of Morris, grant to the Continental 
Field Trials Club the privilege of running their trials over 
our farms, and that we will not permit any one to shoot 
or hunt dogs over our lands until after the trials of the 
Continental Field Trials Club.' 
"This petition is already signed by ten of the principal 
and largest land owners in Morris municipality, quite 
enough to hold trials on; but so there will not be the 
slightest chance of the Continental Club being put to any 
annoyance, I will promise to have enough land secured to 
hold a half dozen trials. 
"1 think I have now shown the most pessimistic that, 
so far as Manitoba is concerned, all difficulties and doubts 
are removed." 
Canadian Customs. 
For the information of those who contemplate attend- 
ing the Continental and Manitoba chicken trials at Morris, 
it may be timely to mention that, before they can cross 
the Canadian boundary, American visitors with dogs in 
charge will have to make satisfactory arrangement with 
the customs officials. The dogs while in Canada will be 
in bond, and it will be necessary to furnish a satisfactory 
bondsman. I presume, though," that Mr. Madison, the sec- 
retary, will make all necessary arrangements, so that 
those who attend will be subjected to no annoyance or 
trouble on that score. B. Waters. 
Beagle Trial Glintings. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
We are now just about midway between past and com- 
ing beagle field trials. Those who have participated will 
always do so, and those who have not as yet are probably 
now giving the matter an occasional thought, with a 
strong tendency toward making calendar for first weeks 
in November "no business engagements." Then you take 
a critical look at your dog and say, "Will he be good 
enough?" or, "I know I can win with him." 
At bench shows an exhibitor has one of two objects in 
view when making his entries. It is either to win the 
prizes or to dispose of the dog. At field trials but one 
motive prompts one in making entries, and that is to win. 
Every dog has a chance at the game, if he has the merit; 
from my own observation, I will base the statement that, 
at beagle field trials, the dog who has the merit wins 
the money. Yet the sport is not altogether devoid of 
chances and circumstances, as so many phases of merit 
are known to exist among the beagles. 
Some come out and start in their heat with a snap and 
a dash that keys up one's nerves at once, while another 
opens more modestly and eyes so many strange figures 
rather suspiciously. 
Tlie judges order ' 'Dogs down," and then all is anxiety for 
a start. At this stage the question is, "Will he be good 
enough to-day to win?" Finally, after the first series has 
been gone through and the judges announce the names 
and order of running for the second round, then the 
sport begins in earnest and every point begins to count. 
I tell you quietly your dog is in it and you do the same for 
me, and both of us intently trying to pick out the dark 
(horse) dog. About this time we begin to watch our dog's 
condition, avoid barb wire fences and draughts and local 
curs, and other little things that may act as a detriment to 
our dog's chances to win. 
We have reached the end of second round, and now the 
wind-up among the winners. This particular act has 
alway been disappointing to spectators, as it will be found 
that rules and formalities are being carried out, and before 
you really comprehend it you find yourself in a group 
facing the jujges and their note books, and in another 
minute up goes your cap, hands and feet in an honest and 
sincere cheer for the winners. 
After a while you quietly light your pipe and say to 
yourself, "I am very glad I came to the trials, as I now 
see how it is done and what is wanted, and next year I 
propose to be right in it." 
At the hotel in the evening, after an enjoyable dinner 
and a cigar, you begin to enter into the real sport by tak- 
ing part in the discussions to be heard on all sides about 
breeding "field trial winners." Here is where the bench 
show winner that is not a hunter is not in it. 
One would imagine that, among so many, cards or 
games, etc., would be indulged in in the evening, but not 
so. It is hunting rabbits with beagles from the first run 
the puppy had to the run to death with a pack of twenty 
couples. 
These animated evening discussions are, however, not 
altogether carried on with parliamentary rules, as you 
will find that the hounds are frequently called in with 
horns, whose history is told in many ways and whose 
music is second in sweetness only to the merry blending 
of the cry of the eager pack. 
When finally the talk and noise have stopped, you are 
gradually lulled to sleep by the voices of the little houndB 
dying away in the distance, only to be sharply awak- 
ened a few hours hence with the pack m full cry 
again, and the second day at the trials has begun. 
This continues until the last day, when the order is 
given to break camp and march. This is really the only 
unpleasant feature of the week's sport. 
It is simply wonderful to note the sincere ties of friend- 
ship that are created among beagle lovers in a short week 
at the trials. Strong, matured men actually have been 
seen to embrace each other at the last moment in saying 
good-by, and large, honest tears seen trickling down their 
cheeks. 
This is no idle talk, but actual facts, as I have myself 
witnessed it, and furthermore been personally afflicted. 
H. L. Kretjder, 
President National Beagle Club of America. 
Nanukt, N. Y. 
Mr. A. MacKenzie Hughes has received an appointment 
as keeper of the Shelter for Animals, Brooklyn, L. I., a 
branch shelter in charge of the Society for the Prevention 
of Cruelty to Animals. ^He commenced his duties on the 
13 th inst. 
Northwestern FJeld Trials. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
The Continental Field Trials Club, having decided to 
run their trials at Morris, Manitoba, and some misappre- 
hension existing in reference particularly to Canada cus- 
tom and game laws, I would like, with your permission, 
to give what knowledge I possess on the subject, and to 
try and remove any doubts regarding the many imagin- 
ary difficulties that seem to exist in the minds of Mr. 
Titus and others, as expressed in his letter in your issue of 
May 4, when he says: "The law passed compelling visit- 
ing sportsmen to pay a license of $35 to shoot in the State 
is having some influence in deterring some from going." 
Manitoba's gamelawsays: "Noperson can shoot prairie 
chicken between the 1st day of December and the 15th 
day of September following." The trials take place on 
the 2d of September, so that the game laws prevent any 
shooting previous to the trials, and consequently you 
don't have to pay a license of $25. Mr. Avent and other 
American trainers, when here, located a few miles from 
the boundary line dividing Canada from the United 
States. The Dakota and Minnesota law permitted chicken 
to be shot, I think, Aug. 15. Anyway, American handlers 
would take their dogs over the line for a few days' shoot- 
ing, so their dogs would get accustomed to the gun, etc. 
The above facts will, I hopa, remove any doubts re 
license, etc. 
Another difficulty has been mentioned, and while at 
first this may seem a more serious one, yet at the worst it 
is only a slight inconvenience, and even that can be easily 
moved away. I now refer to passing dogs in and out 
through the Customs Department. The law on the sub- 
ject says: "Animals can be brought into Canada tem- 
porarily free and for a period not exceeding three months, 
for the purpose of competition for prizes offered by any 
association." 
But a bond shall first be given in accordance with regu- 
lations prescribed by the Controller of Customs, with the 
condition that the full duty, to which such animals would 
otherwise be liable, shall be paid in case of their sale in 
Canada, or if not re-exported within the time specified in 
such bond. 
The Northwestern Field Trials Club gave a bond cover- 
ing all dogs of which handlers sent particulars, but that 
organization this season being dormant, I have no doubt 
the Manitoba Field Trials Club will give a similar bond, 
as all dogs coming in will, no doubt, run in their trials 
also. If this is not done, the next simplest plan is for 
the trainer to write to a customs broker at Winnipeg — 
Mr. S. Handscomb is a reliable one— saying when he 
expects to arrive and by what route, and also give num- 
ber and particulars of dogs; that is, breed, sex, color and 
name of person bringing them in— and he will do the 
work for a trifle. The customs usually accept the per- 
sonal bond of the person in charge of the dogs. The fol- 
lowing letter shows that the customs authorities are 
kindly inclined : 
"My Dear Johnson: We shall be pleased to do every- 
thing possible toward assisting your American friends, 
and you might explain to them that they would find little 
difficulty in clearing their dogs if they would take the 
trouble to send to you or a broker, at as early a date as 
possible, the name and full description of each animal to 
be imported for the field trials. 
"They would find it more convenient to have their 
papers filled up by a customs broker, and I shall tell 
Handscomb to call on you in this connection. 
"W. H. Thompson, Chief Clerk." 
I think I have shown all the difficulties that exist, and 
I know that our club and the Manitoba Club, also the 
farmers in the vicinity of Morris, will do all they know 
to make the initial trial of the Continental field trial a 
huge success. 'Thos. Johnson. 
Winnepks, May 'J. 
N. 6. C. Meeting. 
A meeting of the National Greyhound Club was held in 
the Grand Union Hotel, April 26, 8 P. M. A full quorum 
was present. The following gentlemen were elected 
members: A. C. Bradbury, Jersey City; R. L. Lee, New 
York; J. L. Kernochan, Hempstead, L. I.; C. R. Huntley; 
F. C. Coyne, Huron, S. D.; Mr. Whiting, Minneapolis', 
Minn., and Mr. Waters, New York city. The meeting 
was adjourned to Oct. 6, 1895, at 4 P. M., at Huron, S. D° 
The following is a list of the temporary officers, elected to 
hold office to Oct. 6, 1895: President, F. C. Coyne; Vice- 
President, J. L. Kernochan; Secretary, H. W. Hunting- 
ton ; Treasurer, Roger Williams. The chairman appointed 
Messrs. Roger Williams, J. L. Kernochan and Dr. N. 
Rowe a committee to redraw the by-laws of the club in 
accordance with the following plan: Two regular meet- 
ings to be held a year, one in Huron and one in New York. 
Not over one-half the assets of the club available for 
prizes to be devoted for prizes at either bench shows or 
coursing meetings. Members to be allowed to vote by 
proxy at all meetings, and such other concessions to be 
made as shall carry out the view of the great body of men 
interested in greyhounds in the United States, so far as 
they may be expressed directly or indirectly to the com- 
mittee. On motion the by-laws were suspended and the 
treasurer was given full power to pass upon all applica- 
tions for membership in the club without further action 
on the part of the club. On motion of Mr. Bradbury, it 
was moved that the chairman appoint a committee of 
three to see if some arrangement could not be made for 
an Eastern coursing meeting. Appointed C. F. Lewis, 
chairman; N. Q. Pope, A. C. Bradbury. 
H. W. Huntington, Sec'y pro tern. 
United States Field Trials Club Meeting. 
The board of governors of the United States Field 
Trials Club met at Louisville, Ky. , on May 6 last, Vice- 
Pres. Norvin C. Harris presiding. A majority of the 
board were in attendance. Considerable routine busi- 
ness was attended to. Letters from Dr. Rowe, president 
of the club, were read, stating his views as to the club's 
future actions in regard to the season's field trials. A 
number of letters were read by the secretary from promi- 
nent owners and handlers in regard to their support of 
the Indiana field trial, and altsr considerable discussion 
by the members of the board a motion was made and 
seconded to abandon the Indiana field trials. The motion 
prevailed, Mr. Adams being the only member who voted 
against the resolution. Mr Adams then moved to 
abandon the North Carolina event. As the motion was 
not seconded, the chair declared it lost. Upon resolution, 
the date of the North Carolina trials was changed from 
Nov. 28 to Nov. 7, entries to close on June 10 next. Let- 
ters were read from the president of the Eastern Field 
Trial Club, advising the club to hold their meeting at 
Newton, on the grounds the committee had selected on 
the opposite side of the town from the Eastern F, T. 
Club's grounds. The secretary reported that there had 
been fifteen new members admitted since the last meet- 
ing of the board. Mr. J. L. Adams was unanimously 
elected second vice-president of the club. There being- 
three vacancies on the board of fifteen govern ers of the* 
club, Mr. T. T. Ashford, Birmingham, Ala., Mr. W. S. 
Bell, Pittsburg, Pa., and Mr. T. G. Barstow, St. Louis,, 
were elected to fill such vacancies. The secretary reported 
that he had made arrangements with the owners of the 
lands at West Point, Miss., upon which the U. S. Club 
hold their trials, to allow the Southern Club to run their 
trials upon the same grounds, trials commencing Feb. 2 f 
1896. W. B. Stafford, Sec'y-Treas. 
New Field Trial Rules. 
As there is a radical departure in the standard of work 
as set forth in the rules of the Continental Field Trials 
Club, it will interest all admirers of the dog and gun to 
read it. The departure is decidedly for the better. Actual 
field work is taken for the standard, and the handler's 
scope is restricted to legitimate handling. Under the 
title "Instruction to Competitors" is the following: 
Pointing fur, feather, reptile or scent of game birds, if 
the judge or judges deem the same excusable, shall not be 
considered a false point. A dog which points, discovers; 
that it is an error and moves on, shall not be considered 
as having false pointed; but repetitions of the act shall bo 
considered as lowering the grade of his work. Assisting; 
a dog to determine whether he is on a true or false point 
shall also lower the grade of the dog's work at the discre- 
tion of the judges. 
When a dog points, the judge or judges shall not 
permit the opposing handler to whistle or call his dog in 
loud tones. If a dog is turned or balked to a harmful 
extent by the whistle of the opposing handler, such dog 
shall afterward be run alone. 
The number of times a dog points, backs, etc., shall not 
necessarily give him the preference, but the judge or 
judges shall consider the quality of the performance 
rather than the frequency of the occurrence. 
The standard of work shall be a well-balanced perform- 
ance; that is to say, the judge or judges will consider 
the quality commonly called "bird sense;" the intelligent 
and useful beating out of the ground within proper limits; 
the roading and pointing; ability to find; obedience and 
work to the gun. This is intended to include all the 
details, such as backing, general training, etc. As to 
ranging, the judge or judges will consider long, straight- 
away casts as faulty work, if there are available sections 
left un worked, and if the casts mentioned are habitual. 
This shall not apply to a long cast taken intelligently be- 
times to work out a likely place when the ground is un- 
favorable near at hand, providing the dog's habitual 
range is good. Swinging habitually around behind the 
handler at the end of a cast, working the same ground 
over repeatedly leaving repeatedly good ground unworked, 
frittering away time on bare, unpromising ground, run- 
ning with no purpose of finding, and much looking after 
the handler are faulty methods of ranging. Continual 
whistling and assisting on the part of the trainer will also 
lower the dog's performance. As to obedience, the dog is 
required to obey with reasonable promptness. Loud or 
continuous whistling or shouting will seriously impair 
a dog's standing in the competition. As to pointing, road- 
ing and drawing, a distinction will be made between what 
the dog does himself and what his handler does for him. 
Coaching and helping a dog in general when he is on the 
scent of birds will lower the grade of his performance at 
the discretion of the judge or judges. Where through 
the marking of birds one handler has succeeded in more 
points for his dog than his competitors, the judge or 
judges will consider the merit of the dog independently 
of his handler's assistance. Working to the gun is of the 
first consideration. Faults of puppies in this respect may 
be treated more leniently than similar faults in the aged 
stakes. It is impossible for the judges to determine which 
dogs have the best natural qualities and are the best field 
dogs, but to determine the best naturak qualities they 
must be properly applied. 
New Jersey Kennel League. 
The third annual meeting of this club was held at 
Molter's Hotel, Newark, N. J., May 8, at 8 P. M. The 
treasurer's report showed a substantial balance on hand, 
and a still larger amount to come from those members 
who have not paid dues. The treasurer was requested to 
send applications to all delinquent members. < The com- 
mittee appointed to report on the prospects for another 
show being given in the fall reported that the hall, occu- 
pied on the former occasion, was not in a satisfactory 
state for another such exhibition, wherein so many 
valuable dogs were intrusted to the safe-keeping of the- 
club, but recommended that a show be given if a suitable 
building could be procured. 
The election of officers resulted as follows: President, 
Miles A. Hanchett, Orange, N. J.; first vice-president, 
Walter Browe, Newark, N. J.; second vice-president, Dr. 
E. Guenther; third vice-president, August Halm; treasurer, 
Frank Linck, Newark; secretary, Edwin H. Morri . 
Christian Feigenspan was chosen chairman of the execu- 
tive, with Dr. W. F. Seidler, W. J. Whelan, John Brett, 
Carl Brandt, Dr. F. W. Thum, Otto Heintz, J. B. Conover 
and Chris Kirschler as his associates. 
Edwin H. Morris was unanimously elected delegate to» 
the American Kennel Club. 
It was the sense of the new committee that another 
show ba given, and Messrs. Halm, Linck, Kuebler and 
Browe were made a committee to endeavor to secure the 
spacious new building lately erected near the Oranges, 
and in the fashionable residential part of Newark, and to 
report at a special general meeting of the members, to be 
called by the secretary for Monday, June 3, next. 
Edwin H. Morris, Sec'y. 
Messrs. Bell, Wells and Freeman have been invited to 
judge the Contbsental Field Trials Clubs trials on quail at 
Newton, N. C. 
