THE TARGET QUESTION. 
Editoii Forest and Stream.-— 
Referring to your request for an answer to the long 
article from the Army and Navy Journal on the subject of 
target, It may be proper to stale that the mam reason it 
gives for the change— “ that the coining International 
mutch is shot at the new target ; that the team ought to 
practice ut them lest they should become demoralized, etc., 
etc.”— is an error. In point of fact the team is to shoot 
nl the old target*, not the new; and at Hie Inst meeting ('apt. 
Fulton himself moved to decline Major Leech’s offer for 
,l The same error exists in regard to "the adoption of the 
new targets by all English-speaking colonies. On the 
contrary, almost, if not all. the Canadian (who arc about 
the only English-speaking colonies we know op matches 
last year were shot on the old style, and no official change 
lias vet been announced. ... . 
The only object of this letter is, not to criticise the article 
in question, but to state the grounds of opposition to the 
change, which seem to have been misunderstood 
Thov arc based on the fact that the National Itille 
Association is organized like that of Knghmd to develop 
military shooting. That with the soldier a slight deviat ion 
to the right or loft is unimportant— indeed almost inevitable 
with open military sights— the main point being Insecure 
the proper elevation. Thus the Prussians make their 
bullsevu extend the whole width of the target, as also do 
our American officers commanding the Egyptian army, and 
the English Red Book of 1858 substituted square bullseves 
for Hit round ones formerly in u*e. 
' The size of the bullseyc has been settled by calculation 
based on the average “mean deviation" of a military nffe, 
and lias been made just lurge enough to allow for the errors 
of the piece. To reduce its size to any extent would be to 
introduce luck in the place of skill, and they have not been 
so foolish as to try that at Wimbledon. . . 
The introduction of the "inner" as an extra subdivision 
on the target is a good thing Whether it will work well 
on the iron targets in use at Crccdmoor is a question, as H 
involves the handling of mother disc, by the marker, an. 
therefore increases the danger of mismnrkmg. ro avoid 
this when they changed their targets at Wimbledon, they 
also changed their manner of indicating hits, the expense 
being £1,000. . . , 
Outside this Inst point, which it is thought can be sur- 
mounted, the really strong objection was to the reduction 
in size of the 200-vard target, involved in making the 
change. Half the National Guardsmen who shot last year 
at Crcedmoor at 200 yards did not bit the target at all. 
Even In the team shooting “outers" were very common. 
On windy days even good shots could average but little 
more than "Outers.” In the scores of the Californians 
published in your paper over that very article (and which 
was very good shooting) every one of the winning team lias 
a “2" opposite Ins name, and the same is the ease with all 
but five or six of the best shots at the competitions pub- 
lished in the last annual report of the National Rifle 
Association. In the Twenty second team every man but one 
made an “outer” in the First Division match. 
Now, to improve, a man should be able to get somewhere 
on the target every time. A miss tells him nothing. The 
new third-class targets reject nearly all the “outer" space. 
They are belter for matches hecauso only the best shots 
participate in them, nud they are therefore desirable for 
Wimbledon, which is only used for matches, hut for 
general purposes of instruction, which is the purpose for 
which Crcedmoor was organized, they arc certainly m- 
Vl is true that this can be obviated hv going closer to the 
target, but this in turn is objectionable where the targets 
are arranged as at Crcedmoor, and none can practice at 200 
yards if any are firing ul a shorter distance. 
Also, while if this change hud not been made, we would 
have lost the advantage of comparing our scores with 
Wimbledon (which none but those greatly interested in 
rille practice ever do); the change itself destroys at a blow 
all the data obtained from three years' practice at Creed- 
moor. The standing of regiments, the scores of teams, the 
scores of prize-winners, which are at least as important 
to us os the scores at Wimbledon, arc henceforth of no 
value. .... , , 
1 mention these facts not to criticise the action taken by 
the National Uitlc Association in changing the targets, 
because, under the circumstances, it was so clearly wise for 
them to do so that the vote was unanimous, hut, as 
requested in your article, to give the grounds upon which 
(he change was opposed, in the Jir*t inttuuce, by many 
thoughtful riflemen. Military Rifle. 
The International Match.— General Dakin has asked 
to he allowed to stand upon his last years’ record in the 
competition for places on the International team, and his 
request has been granted. A similar favor has ulso been 
conferred on Mr. L. L. Hepburn. 
The committee met again on Friday. In consequence 
of the had weather preventing practice at the range the 
dates of the four competitions were extended a week, the 
Hist to open on April 24 instead of on the 17th. The 
dates now read April 24 and 28, May 1 and 5, with May 8 
and 10 for shooting off challenges. It was resolved to re- 
quire of eacli person competing for places on the team a 
pledge that should he he successful, he would take part in 
the international contest. 
Major Arthur B. Leech, the captain of the Irish team, 
sent a letter, which was read, acknowledging the receipt 
of the formal challenge and announcing that the American 
team must become the guests ol the Iiisli people during 
their stay in the couulry, and that no refusul to this pro 
position would he accepted. It had been announced ofll 
daily by the Reception Committee that the fellows of 
Trinity College, Dublin, would entertain the two rifle teams 
at a formal banquet in the college hall during their visit. 
The following resolutions were unanimously adopted: — 
Retained, That the thunks of this committee he cordially 
extended to Mr. John II. Bird and the ladies and gentle- 
men composing the Amateur Dramatic Troupe, who so 
faithfully represented the characters in the play of “Othel- 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
lo» on the evening of the8d inst., at the Academy of Music, 
for their voluntary services and for the pecuniary benefit 
derived therefrom; and 
fltnolced, That this committee acknowledge the meritori- 
ous services rendered by Prof. Ernst Ebcrhard and lm 
skilled performers of tlm Conservatory of Music, Ho. lid 
Fit ill avenue, including Miss Alina Kopp and Signor R. 
Buongiorno, on the san.c occasion, and the committee begs 
to express in this form its most cordial thanks and its high 
appreciation of their abilities. 
The Academy benefit entertainment netted $8,500. 
At the last annual meeting of the Amateur Rifle Club 
Capt. Henry Fulton was presented with a watch as a 
well-merited token of recognition of services in the late 
International match. The watch— a gold hunting case, 
.stem winder, is the finest finished timekeeper ever made by 
the celebrated “New York Watch Company," of Springfield, 
Mass. On the gold cap is the following inscription:— 
“Presented to Capt. Henry Fulton by the Amateur Rifle 
Club as a memorial of his remarkable achievement in the 
International match, 8ept. 20th, 1874. Score 1 < l put of 
180.” And II. F. in monogram on the case. The chain is 
<.f solid gold, heavy plain links, with drop for the seal, 
which is of a beautiful and appropriate design for the (lay 
it commemorates, being two miniature Crcedmoor rifles, 
copied from the one he used, crossed and made of platina 
and gold; between them a long range target with the scores 
dotted, and an onyx stonu beneath all. The whole was 
made expressly to order by Messrs. A. Rumrili cc Go., ot 
Broadway ami Chambers streets, and reflects great cretin 
on tlicir skill and taste. In presenting the watch, Got. 
Gildcrsleeve, chairman of the committee, acknowledged, 
in handsome terms, the kindness of Mr Geo. B. Jaques, 
the junior member of the above firm, (and a veteran ot the 
Seventh Regiment) in aiding in the selection, lus pains- 
taking in gelling it up, and (avor shown in the price. 
The annual meeting of the Irish American Rifle Club 
will he held at No. 243 Broadway to-morrow at four P. M. 
A hoard of officers will he elected for the ensuing year. 
Jm and §ii er #s/i%. 
FISH IN SEASON IN APRIL. 
Trout, Sul mo findi nolle. 
Sul mon , Saltno filar . 
Snlmnn Trout. Salino covftnl*. 
Shall, AUmi. 
Fisii in Market. —The slabs exhibit an abundant sup- 
ply of all descriptions. The fish par excellence of the season, 
the famed North River shad, 1ms put in its appearance in 
such quantities ns to he within the reach of everybody, the 
best selling for 60 cents each. The same description from 
the Delaware and the Potomac, bring 55 cents. Large 
schools of striped boss have made their appearance in the 
latter river and have been received here in large quantities; 
in one shipment over thirty of the fish averaged fifty 
pounds each, dressed weight. Halibut are worth 18 cents; 
cod 7 cents; haddock, 7 cents. Lobsters arc now being 
taken near Fisher’s Island, in the Sound, and may be had 
for 124 cents per pound. Crawfish, or fresh water lobsters, 
so eagerly sought for by our German friends for their krap 
map, may he had for $4. per 100. California salmon is in 
abundant supply at 35 cents per pound. 
-Last week we made a flying trip to the regions about 
the ancient villages of Islip and Sayville, Long Island. We 
use the word “flying" in the Pickwickian sense, of course, 
as Long Island is not celebrated for its railroad facilities. 
Yet, to” give the devil his due, the Flushing, North Shore 
and’ Central did make the trip one way on time; and as for 
equipment-well, we know of at least two roads out of 
New York which cannot compare with it in this respect. 
Notwithstanding the drawbacks incident to a late season 
(and the morning after our arrival we had to break the ice 
in the creek to get a boat out) lliu fishing in the vicinity of 
Sayville and Islip 1ms hceu remarkably good thus far. 
Probably the largest fish takeu were those by Mr. W. J. 
Terry of the former place, in Terry Creek, the stream which 
run- from Mr. It. B. Roosevelt’s dam to the bay. On the 
17th ult. , Mr. Terry killed one trout weighing 2 lbs. 104 
oz - one, 2 lbs. 2 oz. ; one, 1 lb. 9 oz. ; one, 1 lb. 10J oz., the 
four aggregating 8 lbs. ; also two on the same day weighing 
nearly a pound each. On the 19th Mr. Terry caught ouc 
trout which weighed 2 lbs. 2 oz. All were taken with a 
live minnow for hail. The dam below Mr. Roosevelt’s pond 
had been partially carried away, and possibly some flsli lmd 
escaped, hut those caught by Mr. Terry, from tlicir appear, 
nuco were undoubtedly from salt water. We drove over 
to Mr. Amasa Keith’s “slmuty” on the stream above the 
club house, and although the day was most unpropitious, 
by the skillful piloting of the proprietor, we managed to 
secure a fair basket of fish. It is a pleasure to wade this 
beautiful stream, with its hard bottom of sand and gravel, 
and when Mr. Keith’s improvements nre finished, with the 
facilities for both natural and artificial spawning at his 
command, the property should he very valuable. 
Mr. John Stellcnwcrf of the Lake House, Islip, is pro- 
bably the most persistent flshermam about those parts. 
His own pond adjoining the house has afforded some fine 
sport with the fly this season. Here there is abundant room 
for casting, with no undergrowth to cause the use of “cuss 
words.’’ On the 15th ult. Mr. Stellenwcif caught, in salt 
water, in Great river on Holsing Lane, twenty-seven trout, 
averaging J lb. each. On the 22d ho took forty-nine; on 
the 24th, twenty-one ; on the 26th, thirty-six; on the 27lh, 
three, weighing 4 lbs. (from the pond); on the 80th, sixty- 
seven fish— this last day’s work was accomplished on Mr. 
Keith’s stream. The largest fish taken at the club-house 
this season was by Mr. Griswold, and weighed 3 lbs, 6 or. 
P -Tho S r g b enUeme n n U who wished photographs of Brack- 
Leap," “The Struggle," aud Landed. 
-Our readers arc directed to the advertisement of Messrs. 
Abbey &I.nhrio, announcing their intention to lease he 
Aimty a. unuiio, Marguerite to a club. I n 
privileges of the salmon nvci . S even greater 
iler this arrangement the angler J J w r son- 
advantages than if he were _‘ bc 8 ° ,e 1 Powell, and with 
ally acquainted with Mc “ r «. Ilu ®^ nit a8 one 8c )dom 
the river, and recommend this opportune y 
offered. The Marguerite is a branch of tlm famous 
' The Graylino.— W e have received a copy of Professor 
Tames W Milner’s “Notes on the Grayling of North Am- 
erica," which contains also descriptions of new spew* 
Coregonus and Argyraeomu*, ft comprehensive pa |1» ct con 
. tabling all the information available on the subject. 
.be grayling. A*. «■ ,~y » ££ 
waters in our country has enlisted so much of t e > uter « 
Of sportsmen and scientists, gives particular value to lm 
pamphlet. We have endeavored to place before our readers 
everything in relation to this Ash which has been brought 
,o light, and up to October, 1873, had collated most o h.- 
information which at that time lmd been made public . 
The interest thus awakened has led to much discussion us 
to the merits of the grayling, and whatever may be decided 
as to its qualities for tlio table, the question© 
ness has been placed beyond a doubt, ^ ^ ‘lner ^ho c 
scientific attainments amply qualify him foi the task, 
put together in his pamphlet all the information coucerm 
ing this fish that is available, and we recommend [ such of 
ou. reader! as may he interested in the subject, to Peruse it. 
—Our Philadelphia correspondent writes:— The fishmg 
at Gloucester commenced on Saturday, but the- efttph of 
shad is not so good as might be expected. Delaware slm.l 
are plenty in our markets, but they are caught farther do'% n 
the river The first load of sturgeon arrived on Mo day 
last. There seems to be a great many gunners afte. snipe, 
hut we fail to find many birds at the game stores. 
-The most remarkable fishing in California, of which 
we have heard, is the instance vouched for by an exchange, 
^hich states that Henry Harrison killed with a club in five 
inches of water in Wild Cat creek a true blue brook It out 
weighing five pounds and a quarter. 
ir.QTTiKfi Matters — 1 The whole number of fishing ar- 
ri^StKeT^ding April »th, was ty 
f mm Georges and five from the Grand Banks. 1 he i c- 
ceipts ^Georges cod have been about 2 509 000 pounds 
„ n «? the vessels average about 1,000 pounds halibut. Bank 
halibut have been in fight supply, the receipts being some 
100,000 pounds, which have sold quickly at $10 uud $6 pu 
cwt., for white and gray. . 
Schooner S. R. Lane, Capt. Solomon Jacobs whose ar- 
rival with a large Georges fare we , fi al , adc,1 d ' ^ 
weighed off 123,115 pounds codfish, and 80- pounds 
halibut and stocked $2,544. As the record now stands on 
Georges fares, the S. R. Lane is high line in largest quan- 
tity of fish landed in one trip, and the Everett Steele on 
stock, the latter vessel in 1865 stocking some $300 more 
lU Tlm b r 0 e^ipS of Georges cod up to this time are not much 
more than one third as large us those of last season duiing 
February and March, from the fact that most of lie ves- 
sels owing to the ice embargo, this year, have. made but two 
trips against five last season, during the same 'time. Til .ic 
is quite a scarcity of bait at prescut .— Oape Ann Adveiluic), 
April llth, 
-The herring have made tlicir appearance at \ armout i 
and other Capo Cod ports, which is good news for the fisli- 
— The lobster fishermen of St. George, Me., arc busily 
employed in their avocation, hut, owing to the extreme 
scarcity of lobsters, cannot make much money, notwith- 
standing they are commanding high prices. 
-A telegram from St. Johns, Newfoundland says the 
steamer Greenland has arrived with a full cm go of 25,009 
seals The captain of the Greenland reports the steamer 
IO Sln a^eUifgtn the Lon, Urn o,»rkcl »t 2, and Cd . 
or sixty cents per pound. ^ ^ 
HOW TO PRESERVE FISH FRESH. 
■Newcastle, Ont., April o, 1673. 
B A l Il*wo ll n”donbt S |uauy brother fishermen. o« well as myself, bnvc 
ere now regretted the Impossibility of their friends at home enjoying m 
anything like perfection the splendid trout anil other fish which they, in 
ZrcSptag experience, bava found it difficult to make use of 
SftSafto medium .1 n4.l,dr»l«4 • 
lo lav before them my experience In the preservation of fish lake y our 
Lh and split it open (if large, say three pounds and upward*, on I,. 
back); wipe it clean, but don't wash it; lay It la your keg or barret skin 
down, then sprinkle over each layer of fish a mixture coniposed i.r one- 
half M u and one half Muscovado sugar, putting on about one half the 
quantity usually used in salting fish. On arrival at home T would advuo 
to re-pack, using a very small quantity m-m- of the same mixture. 
The above plan I have pursued on the Neptgon, m July, have brought 
.he fish home and used them for three months afterward*, and find they 
do not get so salt ns to require freshening before cooking, merely «c- 
qnlrlng rinsing in fresh water; neither do thcyl-.se ihelr flavor ..or be- 
come dry. as trout always do when salted in the usual way I have not 
yet tried this method on salmon, hut hope to do so on u fishing tour I 
propose making to Now Brunswick in July next, and have no doubt I 
shall flDd them as much improved thereby as are the trout. 
—There have been 10,000 visitors to St. Augustine, 
Florida, during the past Winter season, with whom fish- 
ing has been quite popular, 
