412 
FOREST - AND STREAM, 
[Nov. 20-1897 i 
any vessel taking fish before the Ist of June sTiall not only 
forfeit the flsh, but its license as well; and such a law should 
be made perpetual, instead of remaining in force for a period 
of live years, as before. 
Second— There should be a law prohibiting the taking of 
flsh under lOin. in length. 
The third method did not require legislation, but simply 
an application of reason and common sense, and that was to 
educate public sentiment so that people will not purchase 
mackerel, shad or haddock during the spawning season. 
There was the most eminent authority for the statement that 
the sea will never be depleted so long as fish are protected 
during the spawning season and until they reach maturity. 
Judge Woodbury followed with a most entertaining talk 
upon the same and kindred subjects, agreeing witn Mr» 
Small's conclusions as to the proper way to protect the mack- 
erel, 
Mr. B. C. Clark also spoke on the subject in a general way, 
expressing the opinion that, while soine legislation should 
undoubtedly be devised to stop the rapidly decreasing sup- 
ply of edible fish, the fishermen themselves, many of whom 
had grown old in the business and could hardly do anything 
else for a livelihood, should be carefully considered. Oahia 
motion, the subject was referred to the board of government 
for further consideration. Wm, B Smart. 
A St. Clair Flats Bass. 
CrNCiNNATi, 0., Nov. 8.— Mr. H. C. Holabird, of this 
city, intends to present to the Courier Club a mounted small- 
mouth black bass of large size, which weighed some hours 
after capture a fraction under 71bs. 
It was caught on the St. Clair Flats. It took just twenty- 
five minutes to land him, and, like all of his noble race, he 
battled with the vigor of a great warrior, Twice was he 
netted and twice did he leap from the latticed twine, and 
time and again the skillful angler was led to believe, through 
the subtlety of his scaly adversary, that he had escaped, but 
it was only a "doubling," a retracing of his dashing runs. 
The third time, when in the landing net, his strength was 
too far gone to again leap out, and then it was that the vic- 
tor's heart beat with tumultuous joy. 
The piiz9 measured 22|^in. from head to tail, with a girth 
of 16in. This capture wound up the sport for the day, for 
aside from this there was a dozen more of the scaly war- 
riors of the rocky reef reposing on the bottom of the boat. 
James L. Prince, a former Cincinnatian, who was angling 
nearby, when informed of this capture, Immediately took 
his naphtha launch to the scene located, and in a short time 
landed five black bass that weighed 23Ibs. 
If consistent, will you kindly give me the following in- 
formation: What is the largest sma,ll-mouth black bass you 
have any record of? Are there any prizes ofiered for the 
largest bass caught for season 1897? G. C. C. 
[The FoBEST AMD Stream's Big Fish Record lists a 101b. 
small- mouth black bass, taken in Round Lake, F. Y. We 
know of no prizg offered for a fish caught in 1897. J 
be Menmt 
FIXTURES. 
BENCH SHOWS. 
Nov. 23.— Metropolitaa Kennel Club's second annual show. Brook- 
lyn, N. Y. 
Nov. 8 J. —Washington City Kennel Club's show, Washington, D. C. 
Dec. 8.— Rhode Island Poultry Association's show, Pawtuxet, R.I. 
1898. 
•Feb. 15.— New"- England Kennel Club's fourteenth annual show 
Boston. 
Feb. ai.— Westminster Kennel Club's twenty-second annutl show 
New York. 
FIELD TRIALS. 
Nov. 32.— U. S F. T. Club's autumn trials, Newton, N. 0. 
Nov. 29 —Dixie Red Fox Club's third annual meet. Waverly, Miss. 
Dec. 6.— Texas Fox-Hunters' Association's meet, Hinson Springs, 
Tex. 
Dec. 8.— Hoosier Beagle Club trials, Danville Ind. 
1898. 
Jan. 10.— U. S. F. T Club's winter trials, West Point, Miss. 
Jan. 17.— Continental F. T. Club's trials. New Albany, Miss. 
Jan. 24 —Pacific Coast Field Trial Club s trials, Bakersfleld. Cal. 
Jan. 24.— Uoion Field Trials Club's trials. Tupelo, Miss 
Jan. 31. -Champion Field Trial AsEoeiation's Champion Stake, 
Tupelo, Miss. 
Feb. 7.— Alabama Field Trial Club's second annual trials, Madison, 
Ala, 
E. F, T. CLUB'S TRIALS. 
The Members' Stake. 
This stake was a gratifying success. The interest in it has 
been grovrine most encouragingly in recent years, and it now 
is assuming the proportions and importauce which it held 
a decade ago when the club members attended in full force, 
and the competition of this stake was not overshadowed by 
the open and more professional events. Gradually, through 
the encroachment of the open stakes, the Members' Stake 
declined till it became a mere perfunctory, something which 
was to be hurriedly cleared out of the way before the open 
events began. If a few members had not stood loyally by it 
through years of neglect, it would long since have ceasetl to 
exist. Instead of being allowed to decline, it should be the 
most important stake of the meeting. Quite as much energy 
and careful consideration should be given to it as to any 
other stake. It is the stake specially devoted to sport for its 
own sake, as compared with the competition in the open 
stakes, which is professional. 
The success of this stake is most pleasingly significant of 
a trend toward true sport in field trials. It is a return to 
better principles of sport after a somewhat disturbed career 
through the reign of professionalism during recent years. 
Professionalism, as an exponent of true sport with dog and 
gun, has had its rise, progress and decline. Public trials 
will be held in future, but the lines between business and 
pleasure will be more sharply drawn. The club member 
Will claim a recognition justly his due in the realm ot sport 
instead of the sole privilege of paying his dues or his assess- 
ments, as too long heretofore was the practice. It is either 
this or no trials. 
For the revived interest in this stake much cr^ lit is due 
the members who have evoked it. It was no small task to 
dispel the apathy of years and the discouragement resulting 
froin neglect. There are better and brighter days ahead for 
field trials. 
The competition took place on the club's preserve at New- 
ton, N. p., on Nov. 13. An excellent class of dogs competed. 
■^V^hile there was none of the extremely wide ranging, which 
is more or less a feature of the open events, there was, 
nevertheless, an exhibition of high-class competition on the 
basis of field work. The dogs knew how to work to the gun 
smd were free from wildnesa and lawlessness in their 
methods, although a few were forgetful in a matter of de- 
tail, that of stanchnes^, as is in place duly related. 
The judging was well done by Messrs. S. C. Bradley, the 
club's secretary, and Irving Hoagland, New Brunswick, N. 
J., who has attended field trials in the past and proved to be 
an apt student. He fell into the methodical ways of the 
veteran at once. As to Mr. Bradley as a .judge, no comment 
is necessary, since he is conceded to have no superior in 
America. 
The grounds were not favorable for even competition. 
They vary so radically in many places in respect to open 
and cover, and there are so many more birds in some sec- 
tions than in others that judges less skillful would have 
been hopelessly at sea in making conclusions. 
One day, however, was insufficient for the proper running 
of the stake. It needed hurrying at the finish in order to end 
it within that time. It should have two days devoted to it 
in future, if need be. Most of the members arrive in the 
forenoon of the day before the running, so that a whole half 
day is available even as the circumstances are at present. 
It should have every consideration necessary. 
The prizes were valuable intrinsically, but were selected 
more with a view to their beauty and appropriateness as 
trophies — valuable in themselves, plea.ting to the eye, and 
commemorative of a most wholesome event. First prize was 
a large solid silver cup; second prize was a small solid silver 
cup; both these cups were donated by the club. A beautiful 
silver flask, donated by the Eldred kennels, was third prize. 
Dr. J. J. Davis donated a fine traveling clock and Mr. Frank 
H. Fleer donated an elegant silver flask, which were allotted 
to the dogs awarded vhc. and he, respectively. 
As there were so many good dogs in the stake, the club 
thought it proper to give them meritorious competitive no- 
tice by the commendations mentioned. 
The stake was open to members. Ten dollar's entrance. 
All winners of open field trials barred. 
There were fourteen starters, run a.s follows: 
Pierre Lorillard, Jr.'s, setter bitch Ruth (Antonio— Texas 
Daisy), with Dr. J. Spencer Brown's pointer dog Montclair 
(Rap— Lady Grace). 
Pierre Lorillard, Jr.'s, setter dog Roland (Eugene T.— 
Lou), with W. B. Meares's setter dog Rush Mark (Gath's 
Mark — Countess Rush). 
Eldred Kennels' setterbitchAntonia( Antonio— Miss Nellie 
Y.), with Dr. J. Spencer, Brown's setter bitch Molly B. (Rod- 
erigo— Lilly B.). 
Edm. H. Osthaus's pointer bitch Ripsey (Rip Rap — Dolly 
D.), with Frank H. Fleer's pointer dog Gamester (Duke of 
Hessen — Woolton Game). 
Edm. H. Osthaus's pointer dog Speedaway (King of Kent 
— Spinaway IV,), with Edw. Dexter's setter bitch Shadow 
(Count Gladstone IV.— Daisy Croft). 
Eldi-ed Kennels' setter bitch Vivian (Gath's Mark — Gossip) 
with W. B. Meares's setter dog Hope (.Joyful — Nora). 
W. B. Meares's pointer bitch Zelda (Tick Boy — Abdallah 
Romp) with Pierre Lorillard, Jr.'s setter dog Fred (Eugene 
T.— Palisey). 
The winners are: first, Ripsey; second, Antonia; third. 
Shadow; v.h.c, Roland; h.c, Molly B. 
Ripsey is a handsome pointer and a sweet worker. She 
ranges diligently and intelligently, finds and points skill- 
fully, and is most admirably honest in working to the gun. 
Her point work is sharp and accurate, and she backs with 
strict honesty; in short, she was trustworthy under all cir- 
cumstances. Her range is wide, though not of the extreme 
width of the widest rangers; it is the range of the practical 
shooting dog, that which is possible for constant use, instead 
of the fiushy wide range which is for the display of the 
moment. She marred her good work by occasionaly putting 
her nose to the ground in honor of possible rabbit trails; 
but the fault was trifling when compared with so much ex- 
cellf nee. 
Antonia, second, made a very close competition for first, 
and had a well deserved second. Her heat with Ripsey was 
nip and tuck, but on previous work she had not the good 
showing of the pointer. Her point work was sharp, clean 
and skillful, and in her way of going she was more dashing 
than the pointer and did not dwell on rabbit trails for a 
moment. She did not cover so much ground as Ripsey. 
Shadow, third, also ran a very good race and showed much 
merit, but her heats were not uniform in their quality and 
quantity of work, nor was there a well defined class of it. 
Roland, vhc, ran a poor race in every respect save the one 
quality of pointing well, but he was inexcusably lacking iu 
sranchness, flushing willfully and inexcusably, and ranging 
close most of the time. There were several dogs which made 
a better competition. 
Mollie B., he, ran a pretty race and showed a great deal 
of merit, but the class of her work did not rate up with that 
of the winners. 
As to the handling, it was far above the average of pro- 
fessional handling, taking the legitimate handling as a 
standard. There was very little whistling, and none of the 
bawling of commands so offensive to the ear and so dis- 
tinctly un,skillful as a part of handling. There was none of 
the marking of birds and helping of dogs to make points of 
which they were unconscious, and none of the scrambling 
and hustling which are sometimes practiced in the open 
events and which are so harmful to them. 
The weather was comfortably cool in the morning. The 
sun shone clear and bright. Patches of white frost were 
visible in the small shaded valleys as the start was made. 
The vegetation was a mixture of greenness and sereness, 
still rank, and but little affected by the fall storms. The 
birds still retained their summer habits, and were difficult 
to work, As the day advanced the temperature grew warmer, 
till toward noon it was too warm for the best working con- 
ditions. 
First Round. 
Ruth and Montclaie were cast off at 8:51. Ruth pointed 
a be^'y in sedge, and when Lorillard shot, Montclair was a 
bit unsteady. On the scattered birds in woods, some oppor- 
tunities were lost. Montclair made two points on singles, 
Ruth a flush. The pointer had the better range, though 
exercising little judgment in beating out his ground. Ruth 
ranged close, but went with more spirit after birds were 
found. Up at 9:35. 
Roland and Rush Mark ran 48 minutes, beginning at 
9:41. Roland pointed a bevy wildly in'open weeds, then wil- 
fully broke in and flushed il. Mark was the wider and bet- 
ter ranger, and was going with good judgment ^nd purpose. 
Roland ranged close, and seemed to be stale or lacking in 
interest. Mark had no opportunity on birds. 
Antonia and Mollie B. were cast off at 10:.34, and ran 51 
minutes. Antonia was lost, aud when found was pointing a 
bevy well hidden by the banks of a creek. On the scattered 
birds nothing decisive was done Mollie went the wider at 
first, but Antonia maintained her range and speed through- 
out. Both were working diligently at the finish. The 
weather was then warm and calm. 
RrpsET AND Gamester were soon started and ran till lunch 
time, about 12:.25. Ripsey found and pointed a bevy nicely, 
and was steady to shot. In woods, Ripsey on dry leaves 
flushed a bevy, or it flushed after she pointed it. The trees 
obstructed a clear view of the matter. The birds were fol- 
lowed and she pointed them nicely. Gamester flushed a 
single, then pointed on the foot-scent. Next he pointed two 
birds well and was stanchly hacked; Gamester broke shot. 
Next each made a point and back. Ripsey was the better in 
every respect. 
Speedaway and Shadoav started at 1:03. Both were very 
close on a bevy when it flushed. Those who saw it best 
stated that Shadow pointed, then the pointer went by her, 
then she moved and the bu'ds flushed. Up at 1:56, Shadow 
was the speedier and better ranger. 
Vivian and Hope began at 2:03, Vivian flushed a bevy 
and Hope next scored a similar error, his being excusable, as 
the ground was bare. Vivian was feeling the air and half 
pointing, when a bevy across the hollow a few yards away 
flushed wild. Hope pointed a single well. Each made a 
flush. Both made game, Hope roaded nicely after running 
birds, showine knowledge and skill. He pointed and the 
bird was flushed after he moved on. Vivian also pointed 
near it. Up at 2:49. Both dogs showed good speed and beat 
out the ground well, Hope using the better judgment and 
showing better ability in locating. Much of the heat was 
run on unpromising ground. 
Zelda and Feed were cast off at 2:52. Zelda is a puppy 
and was puppyish in her work. Fred pointed a bevy in 
corn; be moved on and flushed excu.=ably. Zelda pointed 
scattereri birds and broke shot. Fred pointed a bevy in 
weeds. Zelda backed. Up at 8:37. Fred ranged close. 
Second Round. 
^Ripsey and Antonia made thereat even struggle of the 
trial. It was practically an even heat, though the competi- 
tion in the first round was in favor of Ripsey. They began 
at 3:49. Each made a point on open ground and each backed 
nicely. Nothing found. Ripsey pointed a bevy on a side 
hill in sedge and at the same time Antonia, about 50yds. to 
the rear, pointed another bevy. On the scattered birds in 
woods, Ripsey pointed single and was nicely backed. Next 
both pointed scattered birds. Antonia pointed twice and 
was nicely backed by Ripsey. Next, the latter flushed a 
single, then stopped to a point on some remaining birds. 
Up at 4:23. Antonia had a more dashing way of going, 
while Ripsey went a bit the wider. Thf ir range was about 
alike. It was a heat marked by work of clean finish, and 
by good, quiet handling. It was not only good in itself, but 
pleasing to look at. 
Rush Mark and Mollie B. were cast off at 4:24. In dense 
briers Mollie pointed running birds. She next dropped to a 
point on a bevy. Next she flushed a single. They ranged 
well and at good speed. There was a lack of positive work 
in the heat. Up at 4:46. 
Hope and Shadow started at 4:54. Shadow pointed a 
bevy in corn, and was well backed by Hope. Sent on, Sha- 
dow pointed scattered birds at the edge of woods. Hope did 
not back Shadow in her last poiut. He flushed a single. Up 
at 5:08. Shadow ran the better heat. 
Roland and Vivian started at 5:11. Roland pointed a 
bevy, then broke in and flushed. He pointed twice on singles. 
Vivian pointed a bevy and a single. 
A number of good opportunities were lost. This heat 
ended the state. 
Mr, J. B. Orr, Brooklyn, N. Y., a member of the E. F. T. 
C, who has attended the club's trials regularly a number of 
years in succession from a love of sport, but with little love of 
competition as a business, caught the spirit of the new order 
of things, and declared that he would be the owner of a dog 
and a competitor in the Members' Stake of next year. No 
doubt the infection of true sport will spread, and others will 
go and do likewise. 
Messrs. F. R. Hitchcock and A. Merriman arrived at New- 
ton on the 14th inst. Mr. Julian Corbett, a relative of Mr. C. 
E. Buckle, arrived with the latter on Saturday. 
Mr. George W. Richards, quiet and unassuming, but one 
of the hard workers of the profession, will compete here in 
the trials. In the near future he goe.s to San Francisco to 
take charge of the Verona Kennels, the finest on the West- 
ern coast and probably the finest in America. They have 
.secured a first-class man, whether he is considered as a man 
or a trainer. 
Now that the LTuion Field Trials Club expired because it 
didn't suit, it is in order now to organize a new club which 
will suit. Clubs whose only vitality and organization are in 
their title seldom live long. 
A much lamented absence is that of Mr. Ed. Dexter, or 
Uncle Ned, as he is endearingly termed by all field trial goers. 
However, he will attend the winter trials in Mississippi, so 
that he will not be entirely lost to his host of field trial 
friends. Could he but hear the numerous regrets at his ab- 
sence and the expressions of esteem for him, he would be 
convinced that there was no war between setter and pointer 
men on one point at least. 
A^pointer won the Members' Stake. The judges were sim- 
ply judges — neither pointer nor setter judges. 
■ There was excitement and consternation among the field 
trial men in Newton Monday afternoon. The barn of the 
Summerow House caught fire and burned furiously. Mr. 
Rose and others had engaged room in it for their dogs, but 
fortunately the dogs were out when the fire occurred. 
The barn was in dangerous proximity to houses, but lively 
tearing down of fences and outhouses, and sprinkling of 
roofs with water, couflued the fire to the barn. No 
wind was blowing, otherwise the whole town might easily 
have been burnt, Tony Gale, Tony Boy, Sport Mc A, , Hurst- 
bourne Zip and others were of the lot kenneled in the barn. 
It was a fortunate escape. B. Waters. 
Blood Will Tell. 
Detroit, Mich. — Editor Forest and Stream: I have noticed 
of late several articles in your paper discriminating against 
our pure-bred Llewellyn setters, making the old claim of too 
fine breeding resulting in lack of strength, staying qualities 
and weak constitutions. It seems to me that this is due to 
improper breeding rather than fine breeding. 
While I agree that too much inbreeding produces these re- 
sults, there is no occasion for it in this country, where we 
have more pure strains of Llewellyn than there are in any 
place in the world. They can be crossed without inbieeding, 
giving pure Llewellyn with the best results. 
I think all breeders will agree that they have seen this class 
of dogs do better work, show greater determination, more 
nerve and lasting qualities, with more intelligence, than any 
other class, showmg how "blood will tell." 
A few days ago 1 had a most beautiful exemplification of 
it, shown in the work of a four-months-old puppy, called 
Heather, one of a litter of seven, by Dash An- 
tonio out of Nellie Breeze. The pedigree of these 
two dogs speaks for itself, while the work of this 
puppy most gracefully confirmed it. The remainder 
of the litter also were the strongest, most perfectly formed 
and best developed puppies I have ever seen, with but one 
exception, this was another litter by Dash — Antonio. 
We took this four-months-old bitch out on quail, because 
she had been out times before and pointed her birds, and she 
simply would not be left behind, but climbed up on the top 
of the fence as if on a ladder, only to fall over on the other 
side and to rush on to her work like an old dog. She not 
only stood her birds, but hunted for them, and this day 
made points on single birds. The first quail I shot over her, 
she ran and retrieved it, and in one case, while the old dogs 
were trailing a bevy along the high weeds at the side of a 
fence, she backed them. While the ohl dogs were trying to 
locate them, having lost them owing to their going in to the 
next field, the puppy crossed over the fence, caught on to. 
the scent, trailed them and stood them in the field. 
While I have seen puppies stand birds, etc, it has never 
before been my good luck to see a four-months-eld puppy 
work like an old dog, and know "blood wUl tell." I am a. 
breeder and believer in pure Llewellyns. 
Toledo Qiieen. 
