474 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[Dec. ro ( 1898. 
necessity of making- an original remark. "When the 
wind is in the north," murmurs the disappointed angler 
with resignation, as he returns home with his basket 
empty. Others have collected all the proverbs of all na- 
tions and languages that relate to angling. Many 
proverbs can be parodied to suit the angler. For ex- 
ample: "A bright day makes a light bag," "The empty 
creel is the mother of invention;" "Spare the rod and 
lose the fish," "The wise fish discerns the gut, but the 
foolish takes the first that comes." 
Fishermen's Curses would supply a heading for an 
interesting and suggestive chapter. By this I do not 
mean a list of the expletives, profane or picturesque, by 
which the angler relieves his feelings when he is excep- 
tionally annoyed. The gentle angler is never so forget- 
ful of the dignity of the craft. But I refer to the various 
sources of annoyance which from time to time try the 
patience of every angler. Even these have their com- 
pensation, however, for it is seldom that they are not 
graphically reproduced to raise a laugh in the smoking 
room after dinner. The wasp's nest in the favorite corner 
will occur to many fishermen. I recollect how a friend 
crept up one summer evening to drop a fly unseen into 
such a corner in a Lincolnshire Beck; how he took up 
his position over a nest of unusually virulent wasps, and 
a very painful scene ensued, in which he was routed with 
considerable loss. Indeed there would seem to be room 
for a book somewhat similar to Mr. Lehman's "Hints to 
Young Shooters," explaining how mucn capital may be 
made over the pipes and grog out of the vicious bull in 
the meadow by the riverside; the man who keeps a 
mill for the special annoyance of trout and anglers; or 
the man who cuts his weeds and floats them down with 
such subtle irony when the May-fly is at its best. But to 
my mind nothing taxes the patience so much as the old 
black trout who devastates the stream, lies like a log in 
his own special spot, can always be found and never be 
tempted to rise, and is only to be got rid of by netting. 
"The bull in the meadow," however, has been used 
with advantage on at least one occasion. When any- 
body could buy a day ticket for the Wye, which flows 
below Bakewell, past Haddon Hall, down to Rowsley, 
fishermen got so thick upon the bank that one of the 
riparian owners invented a dens ex machina, and sprang 
it upon them. He put a particularly savage bull in the 
field one morning, and a late riser sallying forth after 
his friends from the Peacock met them all returning in 
various stages of wetness and discomfiture.— Chehdon, 
London Field. ___ . 
An Italian Fishing: Method. 
An Italian officer, Major Michelini, who has been in- 
vestigating the qualities of bullets and rifles, has dis- 
covered that fish can be killed more easily than even by 
the dynamite cartridge. The Italian rule, which is about 
.256m. in caliber, proved very deficient in stopping power 
at the battle of Adowa. Nevertheless, at short ranges 
the very high velocity of the bullet gives rise to a power- 
ful explosive effect. Major Michelini one day fired one 
of these guns into the water at an angle of about 45 de- 
grees. A dead fish almost immediately rose to the surface. 
On examination no wound was discoverable in the body, 
the death being due entirely to the hydraulic shock 
arising from the impact of the bullet with the water. This 
view was amply confirmed by further experiments, and 
many fish were killed by the blow of the bullet on the 
water exactly as if by an explosion of a dynamite shell. 
The effects of the hydraulic shock seemed to be sufficient 
to kill all the fish within from 2 to 2>4ft. of the point of 
impact. — New York Times. 
ht Mmtut 
PRIZES FOR AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHS. 
The Forest and Stream offers prizes for meritorious 
work with the camera, under conditions which follow: 
The prizes will be divided into three series: (1) for 
live wild game; (2) for game in parks; (3) for other sub- 
jects relating to shooting and fishing. 
(1) For live game photographs three prizes are of- 
fered, the first of $50, the second of $25, and the third of 
$10. 
(2) ' For live game in parks, for the best picture, a 
prize of $10. 
(3) For the best pictures relating to Forest and 
Stream's field — shooting and fishing, the camp, camp- 
ers and camp life, sportsman travel by land and water, 
incidents of field and stream— a first prize of $20, a sec- 
ond of $15, a third of $10, and for fourth place two prizes 
of $5 each. 
There is no restriction as to the time nor as to where 
the pictures have been made or may be made. 
Pictures will be received up to Dec. 31 this year. 
All work must be original; that is to say, it must not 
have been submitted to any other competition or have 
been published. 
There are no restrictions as to the make or style of 
camera, nor as to size of plate. 
A competitor need not be a subscriber to the Forest 
and Stream. 
All work must be that of amateurs. 
The photographs will be submitted to a committee, 
who, in making their award, will be instructed to take 
into consideration the technical merits of the work as 
a photograph, its artistic qualities and other things be- 
ing equal, the unique and difficult nature of the subject. 
Photographs should be marked for identification with 
initials or a pseudonym only, and with each photograph 
should be given, answering to the initials, the name of 
sender, title of view, locality, date and names of camera, 
and plate or film. 
u Stales." 
Editor Forest and Stream: 
-The writer of a column-long report in the Sunday Sun 
about recent duck shooting near Harvey Cedars, Barne- 
gat Bay, N. J., speaks of putting out "the stales," mean- 
ing the decoys. Since when has stale (an obsolete word 
according to Webster) come into use along the Jersey 
coast? I never heard it used there, or anywhere else, for 
that matter. Stool or decoy is the word employed in 
general, though a good old negro gunner on the James 
River used to speak of "settin' out. de toys." K. 
Perth Amboy, N. J., Dec. 5. 
Fixtures. 
FIELD TRIALS. 
Jan. 16.— West Point, Miss.— U. S. F. T. C. winter trials. W. B. 
S Feb. r( 6.— Madison, Ala.— Alabama Field Trial Club's third annual 
trials. T. II. Spencer, Sec'y. 
Missouri State Sportsmen's Trials. 
Amoret, Mo., Nov. 30. — The Missouri State Sports- 
men's Club held their second trials commencing Mon- 
day, Nov. 28. There were a great many very enthusias- 
tic lovers of the dog and gun in attendance from St. 
Louis, Kansas City, Sedalia, Moberly and other parts 
of the State, the attendance being larger than usually 
seen at the older clubs. The grounds were good, large 
open spaces and any kind of cover to test the qualities 
of a bird dog. The essential, however, to all trials, birds, 
were quite scarce, and several heats had to be decided 
reluctantly without dogs being given a chance on game. 
The weather was not good on Monday morning, a 
fine mist with considerable snow already on the ground. 
The mist ceased and the snow disappeared, and the sun 
was out by noon. 
The Members' Derby. 
Miss Schley, a seven-months-old pointer, the young- 
est we ever saw run in a field trial, ran with Lady Floss, 
a setter. Were put down at 9:15 and ran a half-hour. 
The weather conditions were such no birds were on the 
move. While both dogs ranged well and had fair speed, 
no birds were raised by horsemen and wagon that were 
numerous, nor pointed by the dogs. The setter having 
the best in speed and range, though the baby pointer 
ran exceptionally well for one so young. 
King's Rod, a setter, was drawn to rim against Peg s 
Girl, who proved sick and did not start — Cora Glad- 
stone, a setter, taking her place. Rod was a very fast 
dog and a wide ranger. Cora was good in speed, and 
ranged fairly well for the heavy cover they were hunted 
in. Cora pointed two bevies in good style, and one 
single bird. Rod flushing one bevy that Cora was point- 
ing, and would not respond to whistle, and ranged at- 
will. They ran from 9:45 to 10:26. f 
Dot's Jingo, a pointer, was drawn to run with Sport s 
Gath, a setter. The birds were moving some now, and 
both dogs pointed at same time on a bevy that was 
feeding. Birds flushed and both dogs steady. Each 
dog scored some points on the scattered birds. The 
grounds proving blank when the dogs were hunting, they 
Were taken to work on bevy horsemen flushed, but the 
birds were not raised again. They were about equal in 
speed and range. Down from 10:26 to 11. 
Klondike Kate failed to appear. Cora Gladstone, her 
running mate, went with King's Rod as already stated. 
Minnie Southworth and Mish were the next brace 
down, and ran from 10:25 to 11. They did not find any 
birds, and their speed and range were such the judges 
were of the opinion they could not win, admitting they 
would point, and were spotted out. Rap's G. and Rap's 
Rod, two pointers, were the next brace down, and ran 
from 11 to 11:45. They failed to find any birds. Raps 
Rod was thought good enough to go into second series. 
Second Series. 
The first brace in second series was Lady Floss and 
Cora Gladstone. They were evenly matched in speed, 
Cora having some advantages in range. No birds were 
found by dogs or flushed by the many horsemen. Floss 
was suffering from effects of cut on foreleg, made by 
barbed wire. 
King's Rod and Dot's Jingo were second brace. 
Jingo improved in range and speed, being down with 
one of the fastest and widest rangers in the trials. Jingo 
made two bevy points, and a point on single bird or 
two. Rod stopped long enough to satisfy himself birds 
were near, and jumped onto them, flushed and chased. 
Sport's Gath and Rap's Rod were the third brace 
called. Gath found a bevy, which he pointed nicely 
across a creek. Steady to flush. On the scattered birds 
he made three or four points, Rod failing to score. 
The judges announced Dot's Jingo first, King's Rod sec- 
ond. Sport's Gath and Lady Floss third. The placing of 
Rod second we take exception to, as Rod did not im- 
prove his opportunities, and he had several to point; he 
would not back, and would only stop on game long 
enough to be sure it was there, flush and chase; could 
not be handled and hunted at will. 
We think Cora Gladstone, who had committed no 
faults, improved all the opportunities to point she had. 
and was at least Lady Floss' equal in speed, range and 
style, should have been placed over Floss, who did not 
point a bird — true, none were found when she ran. 
The judges in the Members' Derby were P. T. Madi- 
son, Dr. Higgerson and Mr. Baldwin. 
Members' Open Stake. 
The Members' Open Stake was the second stake 
run, and commenced Tuesday morning. The day was 
bright and clear, fine overhead, but frozen hard and 
frosty underfoot. St. Cloud and Lady Webster were 
the first brace down at 8:30. The dogs started away at 
a clipping pace that Lady kept up to the end. St. 
Cloud died away in speed and range, and toward the 
last would stop and nose more than an aged dog should 
do. Lady had an easy way of going, and hunted with 
rare good judgment, and carried a high head. She did 
not put her nose to the ground during the several 
heats she ran. The brace beat out the ground thor- 
oughly, but no birds were seen during the forty-five 
minutes they ran. 
Sport's Gath — Dot's Jingo were called at 9:20, and ran 
until 10:35. Sport's Gath pointed a bevy in corn, and 
made two points on the flush bevy, Jingo failing to 
score. Jingo had some advantage in range. Their 
speed was about equal. 
Jim P. and Kate Rigo ran from 10:37 to 11:17. Jim 
scored a couple of points on single bevies in the corn. 
but would only hold his birds until his handler would get 
in shooting distance, when he would jump and flush; he 
had been used to do this in shooting over him. Kate 
made a point on a single her handler caught in the grass. 
Each dog made another point on birds flushed by horse- 
men. Neither had much speed. Jim fair range. Both 
were spotted out after first series. 
Sport and Kansas City Kent were the next brace. Kent 
was the winner of this stake last year. Kent had good 
speed and range. Much the advantage over Sport. Kent 
made a point on a single bird in corn, and pointed and 
then flushed a single bird soon afterward. 
After lunch, which followed this brace. King's Rod, 
who was the bye dog, was put down, and Dot's Jingo was 
put down with him to see if the latter was good enough 
to be continued further. Jingo improved on his first heat 
and ranged better; had more speed and worked his birds. 
He found and pointed a bevy in good style, and would 
have pointed others, but Rod would flush the birds in 
front of Jingo and chase them, putting up two bevies and 
several single birds, retiring himself. 
Second Series. 
St. Cloud and Sport's Gath were the first brace in the 
second series. No birds were found by the brace. St. 
Cloud died away in speed and pottered so much he was 
not taken into money. 
Lady Webster and Kansas City Kent were the second 
brace in the second series. They met in same stake last 
year. Lady having only one part of day in field before she 
ran, and no other conditioning, and was too fat and soft, 
Kent defeated her. They proved to be the best brace that 
had appeared up to this time. Both were good in speed, 
Lady being the fastest, widest ranger and most constant 
worker, and carried the highest head. Kent coming down 
a hedge row ran into and flushed a bevy with condi- 
tions favorable for a point. Lady pointed a bevy that was 
widely scattered, that was feeding, scoring several points 
on different birds, Kent coming up to back, which he did, 
joined in the work, scoring one point and one flush. 
The judges announced Lady Webster first, Kansas City 
Kent second, Sport's Gath and Jingo equal third. 
Lady Webster is a handsome setter bitch, six years 
old, and has been used as a shooting dog, She showed 
from her race in this heat and' subsequent heats she is 
fit to class with Sue, Bohemian Girl and Lillian, and_the 
best setter bitches starting in field trials. Kansas City 
Kent is a big pointer and has much pointer character, and 
is a good field dog. Sport's Gath is a handsome young 
setter, by Marie's Sport. Jingo, a young pointer, and 
will be heard from in future trials if he lives and nothing 
occurs to him. 
Open Derby. 
The Open Derby was then taken up. Rod's Pansy and 
King's Rod being the first brace. Pansy made a point on 
bevy, and one or two points on single birds. Has fine 
speed and range, and improves all opportunities to point. 
Rod repeated his previous bad work and was retired. 
Rodfield Gladstone and Lady Floss were the next brace. 
They both ranged well, and pointed where birds had flown 
from, but nothing was flushed, ending the running Tues- 
day. 
Wednesday we woke up with a snowstorm ragmg. 
Waiting until 9, the dogs were ordered out and the caval- 
cade. of horsemen took up the line of march to the wet 
fields, expecting to do little if any work on game; but . 
the unexpected happened, and seven bevies were flushed 
in two hours, as many bevies as found in all the previous 
Florence Rodstone, the bye dog, was put down with 
Rod's Pansy, making third brace in Open Derby. They 
both ranged well, Pansy pointing a bevy still on the roost. 
The judges riding up another bevy close by. The dogs 
were worked on the singles of one of the flushed bevies, 
Pansy making an excusable flush down wind. Florence 
ranged well and hunted with good judgment, but did not 
score a point. The judges gave Rod's Pansy first. She is 
a very fine puppy; has splendid speed, range and judg- 
ment,' having won first in Derby at Bickwell, Ind., this 
year. . . 
Florence Rodstone is a big handsome bitch, with splen- 
did speed, range and judgment, and will be heard from 
again should she stand next season. Lady Floss, third, is 
a small bitch with plenty of snap, like her sire and dam, 
while she was unfortunate in not being on game. . No 
birds were seen in any of her heats. Rodstone is a hand- 
some young dog, and ought to go on. 
The snowstorm and scarcity of birds reduced the 
starters in the Open All- Age Stake to four dogs 
White Line and Rodfield' s Boy were the first brace to 
face the judges. The Boy is a dog that hunts on straight 
lines and ranges largely at will, has good speed. He did 
not improve his chances to point game, and failed to score 
a point in this heat. White Line has good speed and 
hunts to the gun, has good nose, and handled his game 
well; ranges with judgment, finding a bevy m good 
style and several single birds in this heat 
Lady Webster and Sport's Belle were the second brace 
in this stake. Lady, although handled by a man she never 
saw before (Lady's owner, who handled her in first heat 
only having to leave), ranged with splendid judgment, 
handled her birds well, committing no fault during a 
series of four heats, meeting winners in every heat she 
competed in, and doing a remarkable feat running over 
dog pointers she met, except the one point Kent made on 
bevy she had found, he pointing while she was tied, hold- 
insr point until her handler could come up and flush, bne 
pointed a bevy in heat with Sports Belle. Following 
the flushed bevy, she made three or four points on singles. 
Belle was evidently off nose, as she is strong on point 
WO (The Derby entries Rodstone and Florence Rodstone 
were called on to run, while Lady Webster had a short 
rest to see how they would work game. Nothing was 
found by either dog. Rodstone dropped much m speed 
from yesterday's going, Florence increasing hers over 
the first she ran in morning). 
Second Series Open Stake. 
Lady Webster and White Line ran a heat. Lady find- 
ing a bevy that was not followed. 
Iport's Belle-Rodfield's Boy ran a heat, but nothing 
was found. Lady Webster was placed first White Line 
second, Sport's Belle third, Rodfield's Boy 
