FOREST AND STREAM. 
round the polo until we think of the “central sun,” and 
turn in to rest leaving the deck to the faithful night watch, 
whom Ileuveu guide and preserve. C. 
Harbor Grace, April, 1875. 
For Farts/ and Stream. 
DEER HUNTING IN ALABAMA. 
I N Alabama, to “drive” or “shine” deer is the sport par 
excellence. Half a dozen gentlemen meet of a bright, 
blueing, breezy morning, and, with a pack of fifteen or 
twenty dogs, start for “the mountains," a chain of high 
bills some seven miles from Butler. Taking their stands, 
the dogs are put in. All is quiet but for the sounds of the 
forest. A nut falls at your feet. You look up, and the 
bright eyes of a mischievous squirrel flush at you as he 
darts around the trunk or branch of some tall oak or hick- 
ory. You hear the woodpecker tapping as he explores 
some dead branch or hollow tree for his favorite food. A 
heavily-laden train of ants toil by, and you immediately 
wish to see if the stories told in the books are true; so you 
put a stone right in their path, and, yes, the train stops at 
once. Presently you see the engineers conic running up. 
They crawl around it, creep all over it, and examine it 
thoroughly. It is too heavy for them to move, so they cut 
a path around it — remove every blade of grass, leaf, or ma- 
terial of any kind, making a smooth road. The train at 
once moves on, the engineers falling back to their places. 
Now you lake a little piece of wood and place it in the 
path. Again the train stops and the engineers come up. 
yi'liey literally swarm over it. Yes, they can move it. See, 
they lay hold of it, as many as can grasp it, and others yet 
1 lay hold of those who cling to the obstruction. Others, 
again, clear away auy small obstacles. One chief stands 
by and seems to direct the movement. Presently it begins 
to move, and now it is drawn aside and the train moves on 
as before. There comes a mocking bird, which sits on a 
limb, and, looking right at you, pours out such a flood of mel- 
dy that you are fairly entianced. A rabbit steals out of a 
clump of brush near by. and hops awuy. You will not 
trouble “Miss Molly” now. The sun is" bright, the air is 
crisp and cool, and it is a delight to fill your lungs with 
the pure air. Hark I what is that? Was it an echo? No, 
all is quiet. Again! Yes, surely it is the dogs. And now, 
as they sweep around the hill, the whole pack breaks out 
in full chorus. Again it is lost, and you sit on your log or 
stand motionless by a tree and strain your ears to catch 
the faintest sound. Again the cry peals' out, and this time 
it is surely coming towards you ; and now you are all eyes 
and ears. A broken stick snaps. You turn your eyes to- 
wards it, and, yes, there is a light brown form bounding 
gracefully up the side of the hill, his wide-spread antlers 
“sideling” through the bushes as ho darts along. But lie 
is not coming to your stand. Yes, you can do it. A short, 
sharp run, the gleam of the brown coat as it flashes ucross 
an opening, a sheet of flame, a loud report, and, as the 
smoke clears awav there lies the monarch of the forest, 
“a stag of ten.” It is a glorious moment. A man never 
feel9 it fully but once, and that is when he kills his first 
deer, and that “on the jump." 
Three blasts on the horn which hangs at your side, and 
your comrades gather round you, and your prize is dial 
‘cussed and due praise given. Soon he is gralloehed, 
(butchered is the word “way down in Alabam.”) The 
hounds have come up panliug, and are blowing themselves 
out on the offal. Soon you have your deer nicely triced 
up and tied behind your saddle, and, all mounting their 
horses, move off a few miles to have another diive. 
Perhaps you want to “shine a deer," (fire hunting we call 
it in New York.) Well, about dusk we ride out a few 
miles from town, and tethering our horses securely light 
our lamps and start into the woods. The old fire pan is a 
thing of the past. Now, Staple’s patent hunting lamp is 
the thing. Aud a good thing it is. For now you do not 
kill a colt, nor your neighbor’s oxen, or perhaps shoot your 
friend, mistaking his eyes for those of a deer. As this is 
not an advertising letter I shall not describe it, but with 
this lamp you can see the entire outline of a deer a hundred 
yards off as plainly as if it were iu broad daylight. Well, 
one carries the lamp, and the other the gun. If alone you 
carry both, but one gun can be used with each lamp. You 
wander into the woods, flashing the light on every side 
while you peer into the darkness. Presently you see two 
halls of fire way out in the dark. Quietly and cautiously 
you approach, and presently you see the entire animal. It 
is a deer, and looking straight at you. Gradually and 
slowly you approach until within about forty yards or 
less, when you halt, and aiming at the root of the neck if 
he is facing you (behind the shoulder, well down, is the 
shot if he presents his side) you fire, and lie is yours. 
If you can find a large lake, where the deer come to 
drink or feed on the lily pads, and you cau float deer, the 
sport is more pleasurable. The powerful light of the lamp 
s'lines out against the dark background of trees and under- 
brush, showing every leaf as distinctly as if it were in 
your hand. If it happen that the wind has died away, and 
you have a good puddler, as you move along the shore, iu 
and out of the little bays and around the points without a 
sound being heard, there is a weirdness about the scene, a 
certain impressive sense of loneliness, that fills the behold- 
er with awe. You float on, on, seemingly impelled by no 
human power, until one can almost fancy himself a ghost, 
so uncanny is the feeling produced. And wheu the snap- 
ping of a dried stick in the forest, or the pluuge of a bass, 
attracted by the light, near the skiff — they sometimes leap 
into the boat — strikes upon the ear, the nerves have be- 
come so inteuselv strung with listening that one starts in- 
voluntarily and nlmost jumps overboard. 
Fire hunting is not practiced to any great extent in the 
South; the tastes of the people run more to driving with 
hounds. Still, it is no uncommon thing, and not unfre- 
quently, that one of the “U. D. C.’s" goes out, and is re- 
warded by bringing home three or four fine deer for the 
night’s work. Monmouth. 
— Another new game has been introduced in England, a 
result, probably, of the success of the revival of polo. It 
is known as “tent-pegging." The game consists in driv- 
ing a lance point, while going on horseback at full gallop, 
into a tent-peg stuck into the ground and bearing it off tri- 
umphantly. It looks easy enough, but it is in reality very 
OllHcult, while it is admiruble practice for those cavalry 
regiments who have to use the lance. It has the advan- 
tage over polo as being an exercise which is, iu some sort, 
R training for transfixing enemies. 
^altnre. 
United States Fish Commission.— T he U. S. steamer, 
Blue Light,” L. A. Bcardslee, commander, known to our 
correspondents as “Piseoo," i 8 now at Woods Hole, Mas- 
sachusetts, which is to ho the headquarters of the U. 8. 
Fishery Commission for the Summer. Last year it was 
located at Now London, Ct. 
• 
Virginia Fisii Commissioners.— The Board of Fish 
Commissioners of Virginia, as finally consittutcd by the 
Governor, now comprises the following named gentlemen, 
which is about as strong a working team as any of the 
States could boast of: Alexander Mosely, Esq., Richmond, 
Dr. W. B. Robertson, Lynchburg, I)r. M. G. Ellzey, 
Blacksburg. We anticipate most beneficial and speedy re- 
sults from their efforts. The black bass and brook trout 
interests of inlund Virginia arc of great importance, while 
the coast and estuary fisheries, including the oyster busi- 
ness, cannot be estimated too highly, either in respect to 
revenue or gastronomy. We do not envy these gentlemen 
their prerogatives, for their duties are numerous and intri - 
cate, and the task assigned them a thankless one. Our 
columns and co-operation will he nlwuys available to them. 
Dr. Robertson and Ellzey are well known out of the State 
as well as in it, while Mr. Mosely is the senior editor ot 
the Richmond Whig, one of the oldest papers in Virginia, 
and represents the fishing interests of the State. All these 
gentlemen need is a good stiff appropriation from the 
Treasury, and the moral support of the Slulc officers and 
legislature. 
— 
Fisn Protection in Ontario.— The success-which has 
attended the operations of the Peterboro Fish Protective 
Association has induced a number of sportsmen iu the vi- 
cinity of Guelph, Ont., to establish a similar association, 
having for its object tbe preservation and culture of fish in 
the streams of the district At n largely attended meeting 
the following officers were elected, who will, by their posi- 
tion and popularity, undoubtedly insure a very prosperous 
career for the association:— President, Judge Macdonald; 
Vice President, James Goldie; Treasurer, Capt. Swinford; 
Hon. Secretary, C. Acton Burrows, editor of the 
Guelph Herald. The association already boasts of a nu- 
merous membership, and is now taking steps to secure a 
quantity if black bass to lay down iu the Eramosa branch 
of the river Speed. Next Spring it is intended to procure 
a large quantity of speckled trout from Mr. Wilmol's es- 
tablishment to lay down in the main stream of the same 
river. 
Fishes, Beware —Inspector C. Gilchrist, of Rice Lake, 
has already prosecuted Joseph Robbius, on May 12th. The 
fine was $20 and costs, the spear, jack, and fish were also 
taken. Joseph Dickson, on the north shore, had to pay 
$10 and costs, for using a spear in a canoe. Several sots 
of apparatus have been taken, and boats from those cn 
gaged illegally in fishing. Parties fishing without permits 
in Rice Lake or any of its tributary rivers would do well to 
keep clear of Mr. Gilchrist, or they may have to pay for 
their fish pretty dearly. — Peterborough Review. 
Inspector Gilchrist, an active and zealous preserver of 
game and fish, has been placed over the Rice Lake District 
by the Ontario Government, at the instance of the applica- 
tions of “Peterborough County Fish and Game Protection 
Society,” and the above is the second haul of depredators 
which he has invited up to the captain’s office, iu the mean- 
time he holds on to their boats, spears, &c., so that on 
Rice Lake and its surroundings the transgressor will find 
the way pretty hard, should he meet Gilchrist. 
J. W. S. 
—Information having reached the Hartford Game Club 
that the salmon deposited by the State Commissioners in 
the Farmington River were being illegally taken therefrom, 
the club with commendable alacrity commenced suit 
against the guilty parlies, and the violators of the law have 
been bound over to appear before a superior court. The 
Hartford club has given due notice that they will vigor- 
ously prosecute all like offenders against the provisions of 
either the game or fish laws of the State. Their vigorous 
action is worthy of imitation by sister clubs in ndjoining 
States. 
Massachusetts Angi.ers’ Association. — At a regular 
meeting of this association^^! on Wednesday of last 
week, S. W. Jenkins of Squautum, a member, was expelled 
for violation of the smelt law. 
Spawn of Deep Sea Fish. — But little is known with re- 
gard to the habits of deep sea fish during the spawning 
season. M. Bars has discovered that the ova of some fish, 
notably tbe cod (Gadus morrhm) and of the plaice ( Pleuro - 
nectea platessa), arc hatched while floating on the waves. 
Ova of these and other fishes have been found floating in 
different stages of development. In some of the larger 
rivers of China tbe spawn of certain fishes is collected from 
the surface of the water by means or wisps of grass and of 
soft matting, and used for piscicultural purposes. The 
eggs thus gathered are removed to waters barren of fish 
which are thus replenished. 
There is no doubt that different species of fish spawn in 
different pluces, some at the bottom of the sea and some on 
the surface. The herring ( Clupca harengus), aud probably 
all its congeners, spawn on the bottom, the eggs remaining 
there adhering in masses to the rocks and stones. The 
eggs of the salmon are emitted on beds of fine gravel in 
shallow parts of the n vers, and covered over with gravel 
by the female m order to hide them from their numerout 
nil i ^ s| ". ,c of tbis precaution multitudes nro devour- 
, y , ‘L b y msect larvte of muny kinds, and by ducks 
»i!ii« l « « r w * lc r fowls searching for food on the bottom, 
Hinm » 1 d ? f,e V 8Wee P‘> them entirely away or buries 
thorn so deep by the shifting gravel that theycauuot hatch, 
“ , c “" IUlV,-r emerge from the drift. It is the 
S!r,‘i rS t ° n M natura,rt * «*ut most sea fish emit their 
bolto , m ’. ftnd tbftl V lu9e risc lo Urn surface when 
tIH 1 The Mr. Robert Buist, of the 
Tay fisheries, states that ho had seen Ridmou eggs, as t ho 
uHCl f °r U "i oclo9iou ? f 11,0 me to the 
surtaic in the breeding boxes at Stormontfield, but they 
always sank again before the birth of the fish. ^ 
NEW HAMPSHIRE FISH COMMISSION- 
ERS’ REPORT. 
T HE following is the substantial part of the Fish Com- 
missioners’ report for 1875:— 
1 Upo , n exa '" 'nation, that we have the greatest 
ntSeif? f . or ,. ,he T _ c, ‘ llur . e mid propagation of food flsli of 
Sr. y , i t » e . ln - l ‘ e U “ ,on > m Proportion to its size. We have 
fifty eight rivers fourteen lakes, and about 200 ponds, 
which are well adapted to Ash culture, but are now gener- 
ally inhabited by comparatively worthless fish, such as sun- 
fish, suckers, dace, and the like. We find that some of 
our best waters are well stocked with lake trout. 
A number of our lakes arc now well stocked with black 
bns9. They have done remarkably well, increased wonder- 
fully in numbers, and grown very fast, wherever they have 
beeu introduced into our waters; some huvo been taken 
the past season, weighing from six to seven pounds each. 
We have taken a large number from Suuapce aud Webster 
lakes, and stocked other waters. 
We have made arrangements to obtain several thousand 
whitefish from Lake Champlain the coining season, for in- 
troduction into such waters os arc best adapted for their 
culture and propagation. 
We have made arrangements to introduce wall-eyed 
pike into our waters as soon os convenient. 
We ntteuded the meeting of the New England Commis- 
sioners on Fisheries, in Boston, iu January last, and found 
a great, interest in fish culture, and much earnest work be- 
ing done, to introduce the different varieties of food fish 
into the various waters throughout New Euglund, and re- 
ceived many valuable suggestions from the different Com- 
missioners. It was there suggested that a joint hatch- 
ing-housc be established at or uear the headwaters of the 
Connecticut or Merrimack rivers, which suggestion wo 
think entitled to favorable consideration. We received 
from the Massachusetts and Connecticut Commissioners the 
generous offer of a present of about 400,000 young salmon, 
to be placed iu the headwaters of the Connecticut and Mer- 
rimack rivers. We accepted the offer, and intend to 
put the salmon into said waters during the coming Spring. 
We find many large ponds well adapted to land-locked 
salmon. They arc highly esteemed for food, aud we in- 
tend to introduce them into some of our best waters us 
soon as practicable. 
We intend to pul shad into some of our larger waters 
as soon as we can obtain the mature fish, deeming it far 
preferable, in most cases, for introduction, to either eggs 
or fry. 
We have not yet had time to examine the fishways, but 
intend to do so as soon as practicable. From the reports 
of the Massachusetts and Connecticut Commissioners, we 
are satisfied that the fishway at Holyoke is a success. We 
are assured by the Massachusetts Commissioners that the 
fishway at Lawrence shall be made to answer the purpose 
for which it was intended. 
We have expended a large proportion of the State ap- 
propriation, and spent much time, in enforcing the laws 
for the protection of fish. Regarding this as one of our 
most important duties, we have already appointed, uader 
the authority of Chapter LXX of the laws of 1874, about 
200 flsli wardeus, in localities where they seemed to be 
most immediately required, and shall appoint others as oc- 
casion seems to demand. Respectfully submitted, 
O lia'er U. Noyes, ) 
John S. Wauleioh, [- Commissioners. 
Andrew C. Fifield, ) 
Fish Culture in California.— The fish commissioners 
of California have just achieved a success iu pisciculture — 
one for which the people of our State should accord to Mr. 
J. G. Woodbury, superintendent of the hatching and dis- 
tributing department, their approval. From eggs obtained 
from New Hampshire ninety-six per centum of fish have 
been hatched, and 00,000 red speckled trout have, at the 
age of four mouths, just been placed in the streams of Cal- 
ifornia; 20,000 have beeu distributed to the small streams 
of Lake aud Mendocino couutics, 20,000 were placed in 
the streams of the western Sierras, at the head waters of 
the American, Yuba and Feather rivers, and 20,000 in the 
streams of Contra Costa county emptying into the Bay of 
San Francisco, the Calaveros, the Alameda and tbe Son 
Leandro creeks. The hatching process was conducted in 
the hatching house at the Uuiversity grounds at Berkeley, 
and have since their birih been stored at St. Helena moun- 
tain, where in four months they attained a growth of two 
inches. Of the 20,000 speckled beauties taken to the Lake 
and Mendocino county streams, it is said that only two fish 
died. — San Francisco Chronicle. 
Sturgeon as Shad Protectors. — The fishermen along 
the Hudson have refused to remove their nets for twenty- 
four hours once a week, in order to allow the eliad a 
chance to move up the river, where they are in the habit 
of spawning. Seth Green ha9 hutched 40,000 young stur- 
geon, which he has placed in the river, and which number 
he iutends to increase to 8,000,000. In three years’ time 
they will have attained a large size, aud will then go 
through shad nets like an arrow through the air, and thus 
enable the oilier fish lo move at will up and dowu the 
stream. Sturgeon were very plenty in the stream twenty 
years ago, selling for fifty cents lo one dollar each, while 
the present price in the New York and Albany markets is 
$8. and the demand is greater than the supply. Shad arc 
selling for a third of the price that they sola for before ar- 
tificial propagation was introduced, uud Mr. Green expects 
in three or four years hence the piice of sturgeon will bo 
