RECOIL OF GUNS. 
New York, March 21, 1875. 
Edit'hi Forest and Stream:— 
Much has been said and written In regard to the recoil of guns. It la 
very doubtful If there Is a man In America who lias done more shooting 
than myself. About the year 1825 I torned my attention to field sports, 
and have been hammering away with guns of different makes and sires 
ever since, and I cannot remember of ever owning one which caused any 
inconvenience in the way of recoil when It was properly loaded and 
placed In proper position to shoot. The trouble arises in nine cases out 
of ten, when the recoil le painful, from tho guu being overloaded or 
improperly held. Showers would feel no Inconvenience from this 
cause, even If shooting as many as ono hnndrcd shots in a day; but I 
never would have made In ono day tho same number of shots at a dead 
mark, even if 1 had been offered the best gun ever mado for doing it. 
I do not believe that any of those professional pigeon shooters who 
shoot such heavy loads, sometimes one hundred shots per day. could 
continue to stand behind the gun and shoot one half tho number of 
shots at a dead mark with the sumo amount of powder and shot. I do 
not pretend to say that nil guns arc alike In regard to recoil, as it bns 
been fully demonstrated to tho contrary; but 1 am fully convinced that 
as a general thing the trouble about recoil in guns arises from the causes 
above given. Horace Smith. 
SPORTSMENS’ RECIPES. 
Newark, N. J., March 5, 1875. 
Editor Forest and Stream: — 
I send you a few recipes which I have gathered from different sources. 
I do not claim them nil as original, but I do claim that they are all good 
nnd practicable, ns I havo constantly used then: for two years or more. 
My first is n simple method of cleaning brass shells, much needed, I 
should judge, from the way tho subject is agitated In vonr columns. 
Etib the shells with a mixture of two parts sulphuric acid, two parts 
water, and one part pulverized bi chromate potash, nnd then wash them 
In hot water. This will render a green and corroded shell as bright as new 
without injuring it in the least; hut this recipe Is of no use to those who 
like n verdc antique appearance inside and out of their shells. To pre- 
vent a guu rusting In sea sir, lacquer them on tho outside with a very 
thin varnish of shellac and alcohol. This should be laid on quickly 
with n brush, mid will be almost 'niperceptible. A dose of the same will 
not hurt the mountings, but will effectually prevent their rusting, even 
if the gun is dipped in salt water; and remember that no matter how 
carefully you clean the Inside of the bnrrcls after a day's shooting on the 
coast, you will do well to watch your gun for a day or two and remove 
the rust which Is found to form, which, if neglected, will cat In and 
leave an ugly mark. Blue ointment Is the best preventive of rust I 
know of, and Is cheap and easily applied by mixing it in sperm oil ami 
passing it through the barrels a few times with a rug. Sperm oil I con- 
sider best for gun locks, but I never put a drop on them, thinking It 
much better to wipe it on with a serup of chamois The rust w hich is 
sometimes found on the bright part of locks Is easily removed with a 
slip of oilstone, nnd the gummed oil and dirt with an old toothbrush 
dipped in benzine or naptha, which evaporates und cannot hurt the metal. 
Many are afflicted with gun stocks which they consider too light in 
color. I.ct them get a few crystals of permanganate of pctnsli. dissolve 
them In water and rub the stuff well Into the wood. It will cause the 
stock to assume a rich brown hue, and can be oiled over with raw lin- 
seed. This is a very good black walnut stain for any hard wood. Cot- 
ton waste is the handiest material for cleaning either muzzle or breech 
loading guns, and can be bought for about twenty-five cents per pound 
anywhere, a little bit going a great ways. The best cheup pocket 
eleauer for breech loading guns Is a piece of copper wire, about No 17, 
with a loop twlstod in both ends, through one of which a piece of waste 
can ho pushed. This can be rolled up In a small coll nnd curried in any 
pocket without inconvenience. jj c 
Bridgeport, Conn., March 15, 1875. 
Editor Foiiest and Stream:— 
At Camei ou's Park, on Saturday, March 13th, a mate! 
between Mr. Frank Buirit, of Stratford, and Lewit 
Abbott, of Bridgeport, to shoot 25 birds each, for $50 r 
side, was decided with the following score, Long Islam; 
rules to govern : — 
21 Yards Rise, 80 Yards Boundary, 1} ox. Shot. 
F. Burrllt. ... 001 11 1 1 100.01 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 10 
L - Abbott 1001101101011100010100010 
Burrit killed 13, missed 12; Abott kiled 12, missed 13. 
Same time and place; Sweepstakes, 8 birds each; $5 to enter; Winnei 
to pay for birds. 
.1. Burrit 0 I 1 0 1 0 0 i-4 
L. Abbott 0 10 0 111 0-4 
J. Gutes 0 0 110 111—. 
J. Brogden 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0—: 
Same time and Place; Sweepstakes, 5 birds each; $2 to enter; Winner t( 
pay for birds. 
J. B. Giles .1 0 0 0 0- 
J. Bogart 0 1 0 0 0 - 
S. Booth 1 0 1 1 0- 
H. Warner 0 0 0 1 1—2 
P. Warner 0 1 0 0 0-1 
Ad Gawes 10 1 1 1—4 
E. Bishop 0 0 0 1 1—2 
Judge for Abbott J. Brogden; Judge for Burrit, Lewi: 
Smith; Ross Peck trapped for both men. 
The shooting being done in a blinding snowstorm it wa: 
very disagreeable for the shooters and the small number o 
sports there. 
There is another match made between the same gentle 
men; will send you notice when they shoot. 
Yours respectfully, Sport. 
and §iver ^ishiifg. 
FISH IN SEASON IN MARCH. 
SOUTHERN WATERS. 
Snapper. Trout (black bass). Sheepshead. 
Grouper. Drum (two species). Tatlorflsh. 
Itockfish. Kiugfish. Sea Bass. 
Fish in Market.— The slabs in Fulton Market Lave 
been more plentifully supplied during the past week. The 
trout are, of course, the great attraction. Canada brook 
trout Is selling at 30 to 50 cents per pound; Long Island, 
do., $ 1 ; Massachusetts and New Hampshire cullivated 
trout, 75 cents. At Blackford’s we saw in boxes and bar- 
rels over 3,000 pounds of wild trout, which were selling 
rapidly at 30 cents per pouud. Those who prefer the live 
ones from the aquarium are accommodated at $1 50- per 
pound. Prawns, as large and handsome as were ever seen 
in our market, have commenced to arrive from Savunnah 
and sell at $2 per gallon. Shad, from North Carolina, ure 
in increased supply at 90 cents for roc, and 50 cents for 
mule fish. Striped bass from the Hudson are worth 20 
cents, and from James River 18 cents. California salmon 
arc cheaper, say 35 rents per pound. Turbot 15 cents; 
halibut, 15 ceuls; white perch, 15 cents; scollops, 50 ceuls 
per quart. No lobsters in market. 
Rare Fish. — Mr. Eugene Blackford, of Fulton Market, 
has forwurcied to Professor Baird, of the Smithsonian Insti- 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
107 
lute, two specimens of flouudors taken on tho Banks. 
One of these is exceedingly rare und will replace the only 
and dilapidated specimen in the possession of the Institute. 
If our fishermen und fish dealers would all take some inter- 
est in forwarding to our scientific bodies the many speci- 
mens of rare fish which must pass through llieir hands, 
they could add greatly to our store of knowledge. 
I lie first Is ova Scot in salmon of the season has been 
taken at Ingram River, Halifax County, 21 miles from 
Halifax. 
S. Hamilton, erstwhile a Government Officer Com- 
missioner of gold mines, Ac., und afterwards editor of the 
Actuluin Jlccordcr, hits been appointed inspector of Inland 
and River Fisheries for the Province of Nova Scotia. 
FisuiMi Matters. — The number of fishing arrivals for 
the week ending March 18th, was thirty ; twenty three 
from Georges, five from the Grand Banks, nnd two 
from Now Brunswick. Total amount of halibut brought 
in, 470,000 pounds. The Genrgcsmcn have averaged good 
fares, the total receipts of the week being about 1,100,000 
pounds. 
Schooner Chester R. Lawrence, Cnpt. Thos. Hodgdon, 
which arrived from the Grnud Batiks on Monday, weighed 
oil 120,500 pounds of halibut nnd 5,480 pounds of codfish— 
the largest fresh fare ever landed up to that time at this 
port, and stocked $4,709 20, the fish selling for $0 § and 
$3 per cwt. for white and gray. On both trips he has 
brought in 147,940 pounds of halibut aud stocked $0,892 - 
OO 
pHcatoiho working of Iho reel. as they are operated by fiat slldtugbut- 
lou» on the .Ido of iho ml. aud aw not In tho way In the least. Tho 
, U. In fact, so simple and perfect In Its details, tlut ll h»» not beeu 
improved upon since It was first Invented, They aru mode of Gonu-n 
’ , Vu * , or In •isos, No. 0 being tho largest— tho best stco for 
black bow fishing |* No. 3. 
Thi- cost of this reel Is necessarily hlgh-ln comparison with ordinary 
rx-vH-rrom Its mod. of construction and materials employed, but It will 
last a lifetime with ordinary cure. There are reels that have boon In use 
for twenty. five years among tlio first ono* made- which uru a- good as 
d “ y } c *" no1 <».V admiration for th|. reel more aireragly 
or truly than by affirming ihat Us Invention haa been a. great a boon to 
r W "' xh loilrt ‘’ r «u the Hold. I 
believe that Mr. B. c, Milam Is now the solo manufacturer. 
HA*s UMIs. 
fo ; UWk to" 1" a hard braided .Ilk line, tho 
smaller »«es be ng large enough, A braided limn line would bo still 
bettor If It could be procured of a smaller si so than Is at present menu 
factored, ns they are more closely braided than the silk lines, and con- 
sequent))- do not absorb so much water; this nbsorpllou of water Inter- 
feres somewhat with the free running of the line In easting. The water- 
proof silk lino, which l« so admirable for trout fishing, does not answer 
ror black ha« fishing, ns It does not hug tho reel closely enough; It be- 
ing rather -HIT, l(a colls are Inclined to loosen on the reel simultaneously 
when making n cast, Instead of rnunlug off freely turn after turn. 
1 .vlsted lines will not do at all for casting, on account of their kinking 
propensities, which Is unfortunate, ns a twisted grass line of small 
calibre would bo very desirable If It were not for this fault, A bass Hue 
should be fifty yards In length. Silk line, should be thorougly dried 
after being used, or they will soon rot and become worthies. 
Schooner Gertie E. Foster, Capt. Edward Morris, also 
arrived on Monday, bringing 114,000 pounds of halibut, 
the second largest fare, and stocked $3,937 00. Time ab- 
sent twenty four dnys. 'Cnpt. Morris bns landed 152,000 
pounds of halibut in both trips, and stocked $7,300 84. 
Schooner John S. Prcsson, Cnpt. William II. Greenleaf, 
arrived from the Grand Banks on Wednesday, with an- 
other large halibut fare. Her fare was sold for$3 75 
per cwt, by tine trip, and she bids fair of mnking the 
largest stock of the three schooners, in two fares. All 
three of the above vessels belong to Messrs. Clark <k Somes, 
who are meeting with an unusual streak of good luck this 
season. 
The Western and Grand Bank fleet are fitting away for 
their salt nips, anil some have already sailed. Some’flfty 
vessels will engage in this branch of tho fisheries this sea- 
son, most of which will be underway by the middle of 
April. But few if any vessels will engage in the Cape 
North fishery this year, as it has never proved very profit- 
able in former seasons . — Cape Ann Advertiser, March 19 
Maryland. — Deer Park, March 15 th. 1875.— It looks 
very much like Spring here now, robins, blue birds, black 
birds, &c., are here in large numbers. There is but little 
snow on the ground, as the warm weather and rain of the 
past few days have melted it. The streams are more swollen 
thnn I ever knew them to be, hut if this kind of weather 
continues our trouting season will open very favarably. 
Alleghany. 
BLACK BASS TACKLE. 
ANOTHER non. 
Editou Forest and Stream:— 
In a former communlcullou 1 promised (o sny something ubout a black 
bass rod, which has acquired considerable favor and some reputation 
among the anglors of Wisconsin and the northwest, and known as the 
“Welles’ Rod.” 
This rod is formed by tuklng from six to eight feet from the smull end 
of a light, straight aud well-seasoned cane pole, and dividing this porilon 
luto two Joints, to which is added a short wooden butt about fifteen 
Inches iu length, for attaching the reel. Keel bnuds und ferule* ure then 
fitted, standing guides put on, thu rod treated with a coat of shellac 
varnish and It is complete. 
It originated several years ago in tills wuy: The question of shorter 
rods for bluck bass fishing was being agitated, und some of our sports- 
men were cutting down their bass rods. Several gentlemen, however, 
desiring to test a short rod on n cheaper scale before altering their fine 
rods, induced Mr. J. C. Welles, of Milwaukee, to make several rods of 
the uhove description. They wore found to answer rciuarkubly well, 
and to be much superior to tho larger rods In vogue. 
But while they are cheap, Jlght and eminently serviceable, they huvo, 
to my mind, some very serious objections. Iu the first pluce, they are 
very homely and unsymmetrical in form; the short, stubby butt tapering 
so suddenly and abruptly to the cane joint, gives tho rod ii very awkward 
and unfinished appearance, mid entirely dostr jys the batunct of the rod. 
Now, “u thing of beauty is a joy forever," und one can appreciate this 
quality In u fishing rod, as well us In a horse, a yacht or a gun. Iu the 
next place it Is too si iff and unyielding, except at thu extreme tip; the 
bthci not being equally distributed uloiig the entire rod, as It should ho; 
und this fault, from the nature of the roil, cannot well be obvluted. 
This I consider an Insuperable objection, for It precludes that nice dis- 
crimination In jctlinff your fl.-h when he Is taking the bull, and thut 
delicate manipulation of him after he Is hooked. Tho owners of this 
rod, however, are very enthusiastic In Its prulse, und It Is, at Icust, a step 
iu tile right direction for a more "perfect bass rod." 
THE KRANKTOBT REEL. 
Of equal importance to the rod, in bass fishing, Is the reel. The 
ordinary multiplying reel has been In use for so many years, nnd Is so 
well known, thut a description of It Is nnuecessnry; but there Is a reel 
manufactured at Frankfort, Ky., which Is the reel /iar exodUnct for black 
bass fishing, ll Is known by the various names of “Frankfort," "Meek 
& Milutn,” or “Kentucky” reel; ai.d as this reel Is not so universally 
kuown as its merits deserve, I will give a b> lef history of it. 
Some twenty five years ago there being a demand among the amateur 
fishermen of Kentucky and Ohio for a better reel than was furnished by 
the trade, Mr. Meek, a watchmaker of Frankfort, Ky.— to whom Mr. 
Milam was then mi apprentice — determined to produce a reel which 
would meet the requirements and solicitations of his sporting friends, 
aud after considerable study and many experiments, the "Frankfort reel" 
was produced, as perfect then a* it Is to-day. Mr. Milam was soon 
ofterwnrd taken into partnership by Mr. Meek, and the firm of Meek A 
Milam soon became famous throughout Ihe West for their excellent 
reel. The demand continued to Increase until they found a ready sale 
forall they could manufacture. 
The reel Is made by hand from the finest materials, mid as carefully 
and correctly In its fittings as the movement of a watch. The bearings 
and pivots ore of the finest temper, and the entire reel Is os perfect In 
workmanship, and as finely adjusted ss Is possible for skill to render U 
Contrary to a current opinion, this reel Is not more complicated than the 
ordinnrv multiplying reel, and contains but the same number of wheels, 
two; hut by a different arrangement of the two wheels, It multi- 
plies four times, while the ordinary reel multiplies but twice, nnd It 
rnns so perfectly and smoothly that a smart stroke of the finger upon 
the handle will cauec ll to muke shout thirty revolutions, and this with 
out a bnlancu handle. 
They are made with or without on alarm or click, and a drag or rubber, 
and where ono or both of these adjuncts are use 1, II does not at all com- 
II ASS HOOKS. 
The host hooks are tho Sprout bond, Aberdeen nnd round bond 
Carlisle. Tho Hpront bend J regard as tho very best hook manufactured, 
I first commenced Its use six years ago. null Imvo since used no oilier 
Its appearance Is somewhat against It, but It Is hko "a singed cat " lly 
the side of a delicate, blued, gracefully shaped Aberdeen. It looks bluett, 
and rather clumsy, with Its short bnrb aud peculiar bond, hut it menu* 
"business." Ii. temper Is Just right, and when you slilko a II. It It goes 
right through any pnrt of the month, never springing out, mid never ills 
appointing you I have hnd tho Aberdeen so soft a. to completely 
straighten and pull out, and so brittle na to break like a pipe ,t.- m , but 
the Sprout bond has yet to fall me. For staying qualities It l* perfec- 
tion Itself. It Is fashioned after true scientific principles, und ha* a 
"taking way" with It tlmt Is Irresistible to tho finny tribe. 
Bass hooks should he tied on gimp auolla, on account of that fresh 
water shark — tin- pickerel, whoso sharp teeth would make short work 
with gut snells, Tula first-class nuisance scorns always to bo lying In 
wait until you put on tho choicest minnow lu the pall, and make a fine 
east In anticipation of a five pound buss, w hen It Is Instantly gobbled by 
tills scaly post; and after u few frantic struggles, like ronviiMon* of 
laughter at his fancied cleverness, he ponnlis yon to reel him lu like a 
stick, mid ns you take him Into the landing not, he seems to leer at you 
out of his wicked eyes us If ho thoroughly enjoyed disappointment 
mid chagrin. 
CASTING. 
Huvlng in a former article described thu short bass rod, mid lu tho pro 
sent communication given a brief description of the reel, line amt book, 
it Is now in order to put thorn togolhur nnd make n cast. Having tho 
rod, reel iiud Hue lu readiness, tie on a small swivel and the smallest >l*o 
ringed sinker, and a Sproat bend hook. Now select n minnow four or 
five Inches In length, lioox ll through tho lower lip anil out at the nostrlll. 
or as some prefer, oat at tho socket of tho oyu; reel up the line to tlm 
sinker, leaving tho minnow one or two feet (rum thu lip of the rod, 
then grasp tho rod Immediately below tho reel with the right hand, with 
the thumb upon tho coll of line upon tho reel, to control the ruunlug off 
of the Hue ns In striped bnss fishing Now make a swamping cast to tho 
left or rlgllt as you desire, keeping u gentle pressure upon the reel w ith 
(do thumb, to prevent Its overrunning, anil stop it suddenly by ii stronger 
pressure as tho halt strikes the water. It will take some practice to 
regulate the reel With the thumb, hut with patience mid perseverance 
anyone will soon overcome all the difficulties and become an expert bitsn 
fisher. Tills casting of course Is to lie accomplished entirely with ono 
hand, for this In the object of the light rod and delicate tackle. Having 
acquired tho necessary proficiency, the bass fisher Is now prepared to 
enjoy the delightful sport of bass fishing In Us highest sotinu, whereas, 
before, with u heavy rod and clumsy tucklo, It was, at best, a labor of 
love. Oconouowoo. 
SALMON OF THE RESTIGOUCHE. 
Deb Buie, Kkstioouciiis, March 18, ‘.873. 
Editou Fuukst anii StAkam: — 
I would huvo written you long ere tills, lint scuirig that a correspond- 
ent hnd vent you the Kostlgoiicho angling score lust Fall, which being 
pretty near the mark, lie saved mo the trouble. I also saw in your valu- 
able paper notices of where salmon could he tuk n with mi eight ouuco 
rod and fifty yards of line, mid that nt the rule of thirty per day. This 
had a tendency to make mo think Kostlgoiicho wiu’nt much. However, 
Mr. Stewart, of Montreal, lust July, landed twenty one, averaging eight 
ecu pounds, In oSo day. I am sorry to say I think ho used a double 
leader, mid mn sure he hud an eighteen foot Scrlbuer. Mrs. Hundford 
Fleming landed a twenty-six pound fi.li at Indian House Pool, a place 
you know well. Several forty pounders and ono forly-flvn were killed 
on the main river. Ono forty -six and several forty-five wore taken on 
the Motnpodla by Mr. George Stephens anl party. In all, some sevon 
hundred fish were killed by the different lessees and friends. Owing to 
a very large mu of ton and twelve pound fish, the average, to fur as I 
could find out, was not equal to seventy-throe; still there are a few “big 
ones," as the score of u certain party well known for Ills successful 
propagation of the king of fish, token at Hod bank, last Hummer, tost I Acs. 
Twenty-five, twenty -seven, twenty-nine and forty pounds In one eve- 
ning l» not beaten In evory river tills side the Hoeky Mountains, and this 
nt a time when the best fishing was over, It being .the first week In 
August. 
I sec complaints from anglers who go fishing late In that month, sny. 
Ing: "Can't get a rise: no fish; all poached out'." I have had some ex. 
pcrlcnro In the poaching line, and am aware there Is truth In It. hut 
unless In small rivers where tho pools are shallow tho poacher cannot 
take nil the fisn. The principal causo In my opinion Is -too late, fish 
will not rise On this river after 2Mh August It Is only by chance you 
ran raise a fish. If you d» get one It will he lately from salt water, and 
the late run fish do not run up far unless s freshet Is In the stream. Thin 
alludes to salmon; os for trout, they will rl*r nt any tlm*. tho ravenous 
rascals By the by. who Informed you that Noavolla trout would aver- 
age five pounds? I don't soy that such trout may not hr caught, but 
believe me. they are Hie exception, not the rule, and any person coming 
Pure with such expectations will depart - "wiser man." In support of 
ray theory I may mention a circumstance which occurred not long ago: 
lu the middle of August, 1872. Mr. George HU-phcu. tho late Mr. Bhcd- 
don, and an English friend tried iho Matnpcdta from the forks downward 
a distance of thirty-six miles, for salmon, principally for sake of the 
friend who never bad taken one. without even a rise Of course their 
reason was. not a fish Jn the river. Meeting Mr. Stephan, I told him if 
lie would spend another day. I would lake hlrn to a pool In I'psllqultch 
River, where I would guar an toe salmon. On our way up we caught 
Home grilse, got to the pool In good lime, tried It for an hour— not a rise. 
After slipper Mr Stephen hinted quite deltcntcly, or coarse that 1 had 
made quite n mistake, und that the river was no better thou Ills own. 
Ordering some of the men to procure some birch hark, 1 made a torch, 
got the gentlemen out ip the canoes, und «e counted upwards of fiffy 
salmon lu thv pool! Boeing was believing In this case. Next mornlOff 
