S80 
success, in violation of the law, which forbids fishing for 
black bass until June i6. 
Last* May a launch from St. Albans was observed to 
sail out to the bass beds towing nine rowboats, which 
were used to fish from, off the reefs. The bass during 
the spawning season, especially the females, bite at any- 
thing, even a bare hook. Hence it was no trouble for 
the pirates to capture enough to fill eight or ten barrels 
and sail away with them for shipment to the New York 
or Boston markets. This method is employed each year 
with great success. The real sportsmen and anglers who 
come later during the legal open season for taking bass 
are finding each year that the bass are smaller and harder 
to find. HoAvard Fuller, nf this city, who owns a cot- 
tage on North Hero Island and has fished in the haunts of 
the Champlain bass 'for a dozen or fifteen years, says he 
has not heard of a bass being caught in Lake Champlain 
inmanv years that weighed over 5 pounds, and he bas failed 
to catch many of late years that v-'eighed over pounds. 
He attributes the scarcity of bass and their small size to 
the wholesale destruction of the bass by the fish pirates 
and the netters, who get a license from the State Game 
and Fish Commission to use seines in Lake Champlain 
to catch eels, suckers, biillheads. pickerel and catfish from 
June I to March i. 
If something is not done before long to stop the catching 
of game fish out of Lake Chainplain by other methods 
than angler's rod and line, there will be no game fish to 
catch. The natives, who either indulge in the wholesale 
destruction of game fish or wink at the illegal practice of 
others, will soon find themselves deprived of the goodly 
revenues the}- now get from the anglers and their com^ 
panions each summer. — Albany Argus. 
CHICAGO AND THE WEST, 
Fishing. 
The weather just now is delightful in this part of the 
world, though liable to break up at any time. The heaviest 
of the Northern flight of wildfowl is not yet down, owing 
to the mildness of the weather, but the 'fishing is at its 
best. This would be a splendid time to go after muscal- 
lunge in Wisconsin or Minnesota. Coi. Cooper is just 
back from a successful trip in the lakes around the head- 
waters of the Mississippi in Minnesota. One or two 
Chicago parties are in on the lakes of Wisconsin. Mr. 
C. E. Willard, just in from Oconomowoc, says that 
three days ago he caught thirty-one bass in one of the 
Oconomowoc lakes, nine of them being red-eyed small- 
mouths. Mr. F. B. Huntington, traveling auditor of the 
Wisconsin Central Railroad, of Milwaukee, is in town 
to-day and advises me that the bass are biting in fine shape 
at Gill's Landing, on the Wolf River, of Wisconsin. He 
states that muscallunge, wall-eyed pike and bass are all 
biting well this week in the Fifieid chain of lakes. 
I presume every one knows hrnv diftkult it is to get a 
fish nicely mounted. At the State Warden's office, in St. 
Paul, I saw a 7J4-pc'Und big-mouthed bass which was the 
best specimen of fish mounting 1 ever saw in my life. It 
was done by a local taxidermist. The fish was mounted 
in full bod3% curved as though in the act of striking, and 
the whole expression was one of energy and activity. 
The body colors were finely rendered. 
Dr. C. W. Carson and his friend, Dr. Miller, made a 
fishing trip for bass to the Mississippi River, but seem 
to have gotten into the wrong part of the country, and do 
not report any glittering success. 
Mr. J. D. Hawks, President of the Detroit & Mackinac 
Railway Company, whose home is in Detroit, writes me 
this week that he had some good trout fishing last August 
and was lucky enough to catch some grayling. 
E. Hough. 
Hartford Building, Chicago, 111.. 
Parasites in Fish, 
Ashtabula, O., Oct. i8.— Editor Forest and Stream: 
Hereabouts during the summer and fall months most 
of the black bass taken from streams are wormy along 
the back fin. I am told by others that but few of the Lake 
Erie black bass are so affected, and of the other river and 
lake fish, none at all. 
So far as I could find, Henshall's first book of the bass 
does not refer to this, so will you kindly inform me if the 
second book does cover diseases of fish, and if this wormy 
condition is the result of a sickness or disease in the 
specimen, or are the worms or maggots hatched from 
the eggs of some insect, to whose attack the bass is 
more vulnerable than other fish? The affected bass seen\ 
as lively on the line as the others, and there is nothing 
about their surface appearance that marks them off. 
How about their eating quality, for, of course, none of 
us eat the ones in which worms are found ? What are the 
conditions as to temperature and water that develop this 
pest, and does it prevail generally in Southern rivers 
for a longer period yearly than in the Northern States? 
Though now the middle of October, and after weeks of 
unusually heavy and cold rains, the proportion of fish 
affected seems as large as a month ago. J. C. H. 
[We repeat as here applicable a note appended to a com- 
niunication of like tenor published in a recent issue: 
Various parasites are known to infest the flesh and inr 
tcstines of black bass and trout and game and food fish 
in general, but, though not appetizing, they are considered 
harmless. Cook your fish thoroughly, make no deep 
scrutiny, give imagination no play, and enjoy the 
good things set before you.] 
Salmon in the Oswegfo River. 
Oswego, N. Y.. Oct. 19. — Editor Forest and Stream : 
On Oct. IS a man fishing below the first dam on the 
Oswego River saw^ a great many fish swimming about near 
the apron and trying to get up the fall. ■ He finally caught 
one' with "a "barnyard hackle," which was afterward 
shown at a local fish market. It was apparently a "land- 
locked salmon" and looked more like an Atlantic salmon 
in its shape than an ouananiche from Lake St. John. The 
length was 17 in'ches, girth 8% inches, weight 2 pounds i 
ounce; a perfect salmon head and a square tail, this last 
showing it was not a grilse, as many thought it. Curiously 
it had Tosjt jboth pectoral fins, but tb^ woun4? were per-. 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
tectly grown over. It was dark blue-black on the back, 
with very brilliant silver sides and belly, and marked 
with the little crosses always found on mature salmon. 
It was a female and the roe "was fairly developed. 
Before the dams were built on this river it was a great 
salmon stream, and salmon have visited the river as lately 
as twenty-five years ago. Fishways were placed at each 
dam a number of years ago, but were poorly constructed) 
and two years ago, w»hcn the dams were raised iil height, 
were taken down and not replaced. Fifteen yeiirs ago 
30,000 Atlantic salmon fry were placed in the river ; could 
it he that they have bectt in the habit of going only to 
Lake Ontario and so have not attained the full growth 
of the true salmon? 
Mr. M. C. Worts, the Assistant Chief Game Protector, 
says many of these fish have been seen jumping in the 
mouth of the river, and in the months of near-by creeks 
emplying into Lake Ontario. He notified the fishermen 
and dealers that no more should be taken, as this is the 
close season. I forgot to say the flesh of this fi,sh was a 
light pink— about the color of the flesh of the Lake St. 
John ouananiche — and the flavor much the same — not 
quite so rich as the Atlantic salmon. When more is 
known of the habits of the fish when in the lake, we hope 
to find we have a new game fish which will rise to the 
fly. Gard, T. Lyon. 
— • — -i 
FIxtttWs. 
IJlLNCS SHOWS. 
. NbV. 37-30.— Philadelphia, Pa.— Philadelphia D<jg Show Aaaociti- 
tioh's third annual .show. 
Dec. 15.— New York, N. Y.— Ladies' Keniiel AsSOfeialioh of 
America's inaugural dog showi ' 
Febv Pi-ovtd^nde, 1^-. t-.— iRhotie island Kcniiei Cmh's animal 
show-. Geoi-ge D-. MilleJ--, Sec'y-. 
15'IELb TRIALS. 
0'6l. 29. — Senecaville, O.— Monongahela Game Association's* 
seventh anniial field trials. A. C. Peterson, Sec'y. 
Nov. 4.— Washington Court House, O.— Ohio Field Trial Club's 
fourth annual trials. C. E. Haughn, Sec'y. 
Kov, .'■>.— Portland, Mich.— Michigan Field Trial Assgciutlotl's 
fourth anniial trials. C. D. Stuart, Sec'y. 
Nov. 11. — Bicknell, Ind.— Independent Field Trial Club's third 
annual trials. H. S. Humphrey, Sec'y 
Nov. 12.— Chatham, Ont.— International Field tvial Club's Ulll-- 
tcenth annual trials. — W. R. Wells, Hon. Sec'v. 
Nov. 12.— Hampton, Conn.— Connecticut Ffekl 'frial Chili's trials. 
F. M. Chapin, Sec'y, Pine MeadoVVj Coiln-. 
-N'ov. 19. — Robinson, 111-.— lllihois Field Trial Association's third 
annual trials. W. Green, Sec'y. 
Nov. 19.— Ruthven, Ont.— North American Field Trial CKtb'S 
trials. R, Baughan. Sec'y. Windsor, Ont. 
Nov. 20.— Manor. L. I.— Pointer Club o£ Aiiiferica'S aniiual field 
trials. R. E. Westlake. Sec'y> 
Nov. 33.— Newton, N, C— Easlerh t^ielrt Trial Club's twenty- 
third annual trials. S. C. Bravlley. Sec'y. Greenfield Hill, Conn. 
Nov. 25>— Paris, Mo.— Missouri Field Trial Association's fifth 
annual trials. L. S. Eddins, Sec'y. 
Nov. — . — Paris, Mo. — Interstate Champlonshij) FielU Ti-ial As- 
sociation's inaugural trials follow M. Fi T. A-, trials-. ^ 
Dec. 3. — Glasgow, Mo. — Western Fibltl Trial Association's in- 
augural trials. C. W-. Buttles, Sec'y. 
Dec. 4-7.- — American Pointer Championship Field Trial Asso- 
ciation's inaugural trials. Robert L. Dall, Sec'y. 
Dec, 11.— Glasgow, Ky. — Kentucky Field Trial Club's second 
annual trials. Dr. F. W. Samuels, Sec'y. 
BEAGLE TRIALS. 
Nov. 4. — Roslyn, L. I. — National Beagle Club's twelfth annual 
trials.— G. MifHin Wharton, .Sec'y, . . , - - 
Nov. 5.— Watertown, \\ is,— NQnllwesteth fitaglb tllib's in- 
augural trials. Louis Stef?etl, §et:'y. 
Nov. 11.— Lexingtohi Mass.— New fengland Beagle Club'.s annual 
trials. ■ ' 
Nov. 12. — Harrisville, Pa. — Central Beagle Club's annual field 
trials. A. X^. Peterson, Sec'y. 
The Royal Buckhounds, 
Many will regard with mixed feelings the announce- 
ment of the abandonment of the Royal buckhoumk. 
which, for seven hundred years, haVe been associated 
with the sovereignty of England. There are some Who 
will miss much the accustomed run. when they Were 
always sure of a quarry and a gallop over the fields and 
heatherland of Berkshire, and had not to depend for their 
sport upon the eccentricities of foxes, the good will of 
keepers, and the acquiescence of game preservers. Others 
there are. keen riders and good sportsmen, who have 
never entered the ranks of enthusiastic faddists, and arc 
doulHIul about the alleged cruelty of stag-lnintiiiK, and 
yet have never considered the hunting of the cartcd_ deer 
ris real and legitimate spurt, and regard with equanimity 
the abandonment of the Royal buckhounds. The lovers 
of ancient customs will, however, view the death of the 
royal pack with some feelings of regret, and cast their 
eyes back on the long association of the buckhoimds with 
the sovereigns of England, and love to refresh their 
memories with regard to its many distinguished masters. 
The mastership was, for nearly three httndred years, ait 
hereditary office, and was held for a long period by the 
distinguished De Brocas family, w'ho came from Gascony 
in the time, of Edward II. 
During this long period of service luan^' accidents, 
other than. those which frequently befall riders to hounds, 
happened. In modern times politics have had much to 
do With the mastership, and a change of government 
has closed many a promising career. In the time of 
Henry IV. politics cost a De Brocas his head and his 
lands. His successors wisely preferred to study wood- 
craft rather than statecraft. One iiotorious master, Sir 
Pexall Brocas, suffered an appalling accident, and was 
compelled to do penance at Paul's Cross garbed in a 
white sheet for certain breaches of social amenities. A 
.great change was eft'ected by Henry VIII... who started 
a privy pack of buckhounds, quite separate from that 
kept by the hereditary masters. The master of this 
royal pack held office by the King's pleasi^ire, and these 
hounds were the [oreriinners of the pack which has now 
lieen disbanded.. Queen Mary, of evil memofj^ did away 
with her father's innovation, but the privy pack was re . 
vied by Elizabeth .i.nd James I.. For years the old and 
the new systems contended against each other; but. after 
the- fashion of human affairs, the new gradually sup- 
planted the old, wdiich became obsolete, and finally dis- 
appeared. 
Qopd Queen Anne was fond of hunting, and built the 
[Oct. 26, 1901. 
kennels on tiie present site at Ascot. In her early da.vs 
she was the Diana of the chase; but length of years d" 
not improve our riding; we go not so surely or so 
straight as of yore. Hence Queen Anne abandoned her 
saddle for her gig, and caused rides to he cut and bogs 
drained in Windsor Forest in order that she might fol- 
low the chase safely on wheels. The fii-st two Geotge.s 
were no, spottsmen; and, though they ocCasiohallj^ 
hunted^ the bucknohntts langtiislled tinder their pdtl-o.ti- 
age. Sir Francis Negus, who was appoihtfed fnasster By 
George II., liad a variii'ty of duties to perform. He hjid 
lo feed wild turkeys in Bushey Park and manage the 
royal menagerie in Hyde Park, as well as' attend to his 
hunting. 
At this period the dangers of hunting were vastly in- 
ci-eased by "the gentlemen of the road," who feared not 
to attack a master of buckhounds any more than the 
frightened occupants of a stage-coach. Did not Claud 
Duval once "hold up" the master returning from hunt- 
ing, tie him to a tree, and purloin his watch and valtt- 
rJMcs? Another master. Lord Tankerville, used to salK 
forth attended by a guard of retainers and armed troop- 
• G?01:g'e til. Iftfused new life into tbe moribund pack. 
He Was a keen hUntcr iii spite of his nineteen stone, and 
by his constant attendance at the meets, his love of spoftj 
and his eagerness for the trhase, gave tbe buckhound'; A 
new lea.se of life. . No day Was ibo long, no I'Uii ibb 
length.y for his MiiicstV. Wbbdcraff was liiore eon^enijli 
lb hiin thail statecraft, and history tells us that the hunt- 
ing world owes hilich to King George III. In his liiUe 
the Enclosure .A.cts in Berks and Bucks ''hastened the 
dawn of civilization in tjic shape of the deer-caft," as the 
latest historian of the buckhounds happily expresses it. 
However, the King's lon^ illness Was ;i gfettt diKPobt- 
agemelit to nitnting. and a writel" iii tile Spofting Magtt^ 
zine bf i8j4 states that "Men, hofses, and hotinds hftd 
dwindled by fapid degi-ccs froin splendoi- to defeeney,- 
frotti llecency tD poverty, frbm poverty to iliabilit^. 
Tliose which doii't ciit are going mad, atid those whicjl 
are not. going mad can only eat." With George IV. 
come new men and new manners. The old order 
clianges. Much obsolete ceremonial is abandoned. The 
old. slow hound.s are exchanged for a fast fox-hunting 
pack, of Goodwood lineage; and, moreover, Charles 
Davis, the prince of huntsmen, i« installed at the Ascot 
kennels, where he reigned so long. 
It Would be ft long ,«!toi'y to tell of all the illu9triou,s, 
gentle 'Ah(\ noble then who hfive held the office of mas- 
tei=, find done tbeir duty In the saddles to Avhich royal 
favor or patty politics hiive called them. 1 need not 
now record their iuim.es, for has not Lord RibbleSdtile, 
that most eoUrteoUs of iniistefs, who AVtitcs as gritCcfully 
fis he rides, already told, their bistol'y ill his faitloUH 
book? He talis, us of Geofge Boleyn--who was the 
brother of the ill-fated Anne and shared her fate^lhe 
first master of the pi-ivy. paek, started by the mUdh-mai'- 
tied and sport-loving Heni-yj of Lofd LeiCestefi tht' 
favo.rite d| Elizabeth; of Colonel Grahatn, tenoWtied dA 
Inhiih for his Skill in gardening as for his stag-htintiny ; 
and many other of Lord Ribblesdale's predecessors. 
Lord Lichfield, appointed in 18,30, the Earl of Chester- 
field. Lord Ro.sslyn, Lord Granville, hbtd Hardwickfe, 
l^ord Stifficld. the learned attthcr himself, and Lord 
Coventry, the last ot his illustrious line of masters, have 
all done their duty in their day, and upheld the ancient 
honor and Avelfare of the royal liiint. 
.And hoW t.lie boots and spttrsj whips, caps, and coats, 
of the royal hunt.sineh niti-St be piit away ^nd pfesefved 
as heirlooms or sold as curios. Sic transit florid niUntli. 
The empty paddocks at Swinley tell theii" o^n sad talfc 
of the slaughter of the famous red deer. Usually the herd 
numbered about five and twenty. Of these many were 
never hunted, only the good deer — those who would and 
could go — being utilized for the chase. Some of these 
became quite famous. There was Guy Fawkes, who was 
a great, favorite, and possessed quite as much guile as his 
namesake; Lord Clamvdliam, who ran his pursuers out 
of daylight; and Runaway, who earned his name by a 
remarkable exploit. Half ail hour after his first arrival 
at Sw-iidey. started by the crack of a whip, he jumped 
out of the paddock, clearing eight feet of oaken paling. 
He enjoyed his liberty for some weeks, and was at length 
taken after a hard run. Tbe most reliable of stags was 
Bartlett, who ran six times in one season, and never 
had a scratch. Blackback was another brave and gallant 
animal, who led many a long chase, and never showed 
any .signs of terror, oi even anxiety. They have all gone 
now. The cai'tcd deer is.no more. May they rest" in 
their graves, and know no fears in the "happy huntin^?- 
grotutds !" 
It is a mournful task to the lover of ancient manners 
to record the death of old-established customs and inslt- 
tutions: but apart from other considerations, the death 
of the staghounds was only a matter of time. Railways, 
wire, Enclosure Acts, the spread of villas, are fast alter- 
ing the character of the country in which the royal pack 
hunted. We shall all soon dwell in the suburbs of Lon- 
don, the vast city that extends its giant btdk in all direc- 
tions and absorbs everything. Htmting will soon be im-. 
possible in the King's country. To many of us, ]es.-j 
active than of yore, the joys of remembrance are our 
only sport. The remembraiice of many a famous run, 
of good comradeship, of coiirteous masters, and happy 
days of hard riding must console us for the death of the 
royal pack and the abandonment of an institution so 
long associated with the monarchy of England. — P. 
Hampson, in En,glLsh Illustrated Magazine. 
Beagfle Trials. 
Chicago. III.-. Oct. lO- — The field trials of the North- 
west Beagle Club will be held at Watertown, .Wis.. Nov. 
5 and following, on the .errounds known as Camp McKin- 
ley, than which it is stated tto better grDun.ds for rabbit 
work are to be found. The drawing takes place Monday 
evening. Nov. 4. Any owner, unable to attend may be 
,-^urc that his dog will receive, good handling, if he cares 
to enter it, and a -hearty welcome has been, extended to 
all fanciers of the little hotmds and to sportsmen in gen- 
eral to be present at. the. trials. E. Houcn. 
We have applications for a French bull dog. a w-olL 
trained setter and two gpanielj? broken for grouse. 
