1^ 
i'-OREST AND STREAM. 
[Jan. 2, 1897. 
could win several hundred dollars or several thoueaiid in 
a season it was plain that he was not to be sold for a 
song. 
Prices are now measured more on a dog's field merit 
than on ability to campaign and win money, as the 
heavy purses put up by nearly all the clubs a few years 
ago are now of the things which have passed away. 
Field trial interests are taking a turn for the better in 
every way, though there are some clubs which are not so 
well adjusted financially as we would like to see. How- 
ever, by adjusting their finances according to their rev- 
enue, they can pull through. If a club spends more than 
its income, it is almost certain to have serious problems 
to consider sooner or later. 
Field trial supporters seem to foster the trials now 
more on a basis of sport and less on a mercenary one 
than obtained when prices were so much higher. Such 
is a healthy sign. It denotes a return to practical worth 
instead of the escessive development of the few qualities 
which dominate in a half -hour's spin, and which will be 
so nrianipulated as to overshadow the work nf a really 
meritorious dog, whose work is based on all-day stand- 
ards. 
The beagle trials also have been well sustained, though 
there has been some falling off in interest, probably tem- 
porary, as the genuine love of sport which their promot- 
ers and supporters display, and the wide scope of country 
North and South wherein the beagle may be used, and 
last, but not least, the high grade of sport which the mu- 
sical little fellows provide, will insure that the beagle will 
not be neglected. His intrinsic merits are too well ap- 
preciated to be ignored. 
His larger cousin, the foxhound, is developing a 
strong foilowicg: but unfortunately it is difficult to 
hold a trial where the conditions of weather and fox and 
grounds are in harmony for good tests, and at the best, 
owing to the very nature of a competition which is largely 
out of sight of the judges, there is much of haphazard in 
making decisions. As a sport it is steadily growing in 
favor. 
The bench show interests have probably experienced the 
greater vicissitudes, quite a number losing financially on 
their ventures, though as some clubs disappear others 
appear, so that the value of the general whole remains 
fairly intact. 
There seems to have been a severe frost in the challenge 
industry, which flourished so vigorously a short time 
since, owing perhaps to the fact that they were not chal- 
lenges, but advertisements. 
The Pacific coast is now enjoying practically the bless- 
ings of home rule in kennel matters, the A. K. O. is gov- 
erning wisely, and on the whole there is a jgrospect of a 
better year on healthier and more permanent iines. 
Tfe* FoRMT AMD SaTtBAM i» put to prest each week on Ihiesdav. 
Oorrespondenoe intmdtd for publication eJwuld reach, us at the 
latest btf Manday,awi aa imjusK earlier as practicable 
HUBSTBOURNE ZIP AND PINMONEY, 
THE IRISH SETTER AS A FIELD DOG, 
PAST AND PRESENT.— HI. 
Little Valley, N. Y,— Editor Forest and Stream: 
Queen Bee, the dam of Redfern, had quite a reputation as 
a field dog, and to her individual field quality I attribute 
most of Redfem's excellence. Probably no dog was ever 
heralded far and wide more than Sarsfleld was, and 
probably no dog so little deserved it. As a field dog he 
never deserved any consideration. I saw him run at the 
trials, and a worse exhibition is rarely, if ever, seen. It 
will therefore be clear that the mating of Gypsey Maid 
with Redtern was one of individual quality rather than 
of blood lines. The results as portrayed in Nugget were 
an advance on either sire or dam. She had her dam's 
pluck and go, with more speed. And she had her sire's 
good nose, style and level head. 
Redfern was sold by me to Mr, A, M. Valentine, Janes- 
ville, Wis. He has always been highly prizad by his 
owner. Indeed he should be, as he is all any sportsman 
could desire as a field dog. 
I have mentioned the fact of Redfern's gunshyness 
because the gun shy puppy is generally condemned by 
sportsmen who have had a limited experience with dogs. 
It has been my experience to have had a number of these 
dogs to deal with at various times. I have invariably 
found that dogs of this character were possessed with 
splendid capabilities. 
Gunshyness is by no means the serious fault that it is 
claimed to be. It can be cured in the puppy in a short 
time by kindness and careful handling. 
In 1890 the Irish Setter Club opened a special stake in 
connection with the Eastern Field Trials Club. The 
Irith setters were to compete in the regular stakes with 
the English setters and pointers. There were six or eight 
dogs entered for this special, the running of which 
afforded no little amusement to the spectators and 
opeaed the eyes of those who were handling the 
led dogs. I was handling in this stake the 
Irish setters Ready II, and William H I had 
the misfortune to be down with William H. against 
the ultimate winner of the Derby, Tory Lieutenant. He 
was handled by that good handler and great wag, John 
White. Tory was a wide, fast ranger, and he distanced 
William early in the heat; in fact, the latter wasn't in 
the hunt at any time in the heat. White noticed my 
discouragement, I suppose, for he said in his droll way: 
"You look as if you'd like to go up in a balloon." That 
just about expressed my feelings, for I then and there 
determined to never run another dog in the trials that 
could not at least make a decent showing. 
I was more fortunate with Rsady II., as she was placed 
second in the special to Tillie Boru. The showing the 
red dogs made in the stake in comparison with the other 
setters revealed their weakness. I have always contend- 
ed that the club at this time was on the right course, be- 
cause owners and breeders would have a chance to com- 
pare their dogs in actual competition with other setters 
and pointers; they would then be able to discover their 
weak points and know better how to improve their doge*. 
To those of us who were there, all the weakness of the 
dog as herein pointed out was apparent. He had not the 
nose, speed and endurance to compete with the English 
setters and pointers. While this is true, it is no reason 
why breeders should give up trying to improve their dogs. 
English setters and pointers were not always up to the 
high standard of to-day. Their owners and breeders at- 
tend the trials in numbers, and by careful comparison of 
the work done select dogs to breed to and from, and are 
thus enabled to keep up the high class of their dogs. 
While I attended the Irish setter trials, which were in- 
augurated in the next year for Irish setters alone, only 
two or three owners and breeders of the dog put in an 
appearance. Of these not all had got rid of the color 
craze, but as these trials were for Irish setters only there 
was no chance for comparison, and much thereby in my 
opinion was lost. Dr, H. B. Anderson. 
Harstbourne Zip and Pinmoney. 
The subjects of our half-page picture this week, Hurst- 
boume Zip and Pinmoney, by their excellent field trial 
performances are fresh in the memory of those who ad- 
mire do^ for their capabilities in actual work, and their 
prowess in competition. Hurstbourne Zip distinguished 
himself last fall by winning three Derbys in succession, 
namely, that of the Manitoba Field Trials Club, run at 
Morris, Man. ; that of the Continental Field Trials Club^ 
run at Kennedy, Minn. ; and that of the Eastern Field 
Trials Club, run at Newton, N. C, Pinmoney at the latter 
place running a very close second, and winning first the 
week following in the United States Field Trials Club's 
trials; running then more in the steady, mature manner 
of an aged dog and showing a very high class of work, 
sound in all details. The portraits are from the original 
painted from life by Prof. Edm. H. Osthaus, which is but 
a way of saying that they are admirably true and 
artistic. 
Meet of the Dixie Red Fox Club. 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
The second annual meet of the Dixie Red Fox Club, 
held at Rowland, Ala, , the week ending Dec. 19, was one 
of the most successful bound trials ever held in the 
United States. The attendance was large, and many of 
the prominent fox hunters of the country were present 
with their bounds. 
For the most part the weather was bad, and conditions 
for fox hunting unfavorable; nevertheless there were 
several fine races, two red foxes holed and a bog fox 
caught by the puppies. 
The Derby was for boimds under eighteen months of 
age at ^3 50 each ; 50 per cent, to first, 30 per cent, to sec- 
ond, and 20 per cent, to third. There were fourteen 
entries, and the prizes were awarded to J. L. Green's 
Frank, A. L. Hennigan's ^oodoo, and J. W. Gilman'g 
?'lash, in the order named. 
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