forest and stream. 
exceeded an ordinary sheep in size. From the hardy habits 
of .this animal, its vivacity, dense conting, and the fine, 
woolly character of the inner covering, which equals that 
of the most famous breeds of the Orient, it would seem 
that crossing it with the delicate cashmere and Angora 
goats would prove a valuable experiment, as the progeny 
would be hardier, bettor able to shift for itself, less fas- 
tidious in its choice of herbage, nnd produce a softer fleece 
than the pure breeds do. No person has yet tried the ex- 
periment; for where the wild species prevails the domestic 
is unknown. Should it be made, and the cross should 
prove a good fleece-bearing animal, the foothills nnd moun- 
tains of the interior plateaus lying between the Itocky 
Mountains and the Pacific Ocean could then be utilized, as 
they are well adapted as a pasturage for such flocks. Even 
if the wild animal were domesticated it seems plausible to 
suppose that the care bestowed upon it would be repaid by 
the price its coating would bring, and that it could sup- 
plant imported breeds, which require much attention to 
make them profitable. J. M. Murphy. 
Naturalists in Trouble.—' The Florida Agriculturist 
says:— 
“A naturalist from Detroit, Mich., and another from 
Germany, were recently arrested at Cedar Keys, charged 
with violating the act of the Legislature relative to killing 
and transporting game beyond the limits of the State. 
Upon examination it was found that they had onlv been 
engaged in making a collection of bugs and flies, anil were 
released, but not until they had been put to much trouble." 
We are glad to see that the Florida people are interested 
in preserving the game laws, and commend them for their 
vigilance. Discretion, however, should be used, and no 
dircrimination be made between outsiders and those to the 
manner born, including the negroes. 
— One of Howes & Cushing's lionesses gave birth to two 
fine cubs in St. John, N. B., on June l?tb. Thev passed 
them around and allowed the audience to inspect them. 
EMBALMING vs. MOUNTING. 
Grand Rapids, Mich, Jane 80th, 1876. 
Bditoii Forest and Stream 
In your Issue of Jane 17th, 1876, Mr. Batty, In reply to my article on 
embalming, no doobi is sincere In presenting what he supposes to be 
substantial ubjecdonsto the art. He is no doubt a skillful taxidermist, 
but I am led to bellovc, judging from his criticisms of the embalming 
art. that his experience has been very limited, at least In the art as dis- 
covered, perfected, and taught at my hand; and In answer I will endeavor 
to lie hrief First. I never remove birds’ eyes from the outside. Second, 
I do not use solid substances to compensate shrinkage. Third, I make 
but one Incision in the sklu (in place of perforating, as he supposes), and 
therefore do not make nsc of the frlondly hairs of long coated animals 
to cover stitches Fourth, I can rotnove or prepare the eyes of an owl 
in one half the time usually occupied, and not stretch or disfigure the 
eyelids. Fifth, Mr Batty says there is but one way to compensate 
shrinkage ; in that he is mistaken. Sixth, he can see some of the muz- 
zles of rumiuata in my collection at Grand Rapids, Michigan, which 
have received special compliment, frequently by skillful taxidermists. 
Mr Batty says be cannot see how an cmbalmer can fasten a specimen In 
the required po-uton without wires. I say. In answer, I don’t wonder at 
that, as I always do nee wires or rods, and I certainly can t expect him to 
fully see or understand what he has not seen, which makes his criticisms 
the more Inexcusable I say 1 can embalm a bltd In one half the time it 
takes me to skin and stuff one, and so can any other taxidermist who 
understands my method, and it always makes a finer specimen. I have 
raouniod many hundreds of birds by both arts, and understand fully what 
it is to mount birds of prey with or without wings extended. Mr. Batty 
says he thinks I may be easily beaten by four of your correspondents. 
This may be true. However, It always affords mo pleasure to meet my 
brother taxidermists either in friendly controversy or in test of skill, and 
I shall be gLd to meet him some time under favored circumstances. I 
agree fully with Mr. Batty on one point, aud that is, that taxidermy is 
founded on scientific and mechanical principles, and I am happy to add 
that embalming Is classed under the same head. As I have neither per- 
mission or inclination to teach the embalming art In these columns, I 
will conclude my remarks on the subject by kiudly thankiug the editor 
of Forest and Stream for his indulgence in publishing what prob- 
ably interests a limited few of his many readers. I have written a book 
ou the eubjuct, however, which 1 hope soon to publish. E. II. Crane. 
BLACK SQUIRRELS IN ILLINOIS. 
Washington, D. C., Juno 26th, 1875. 
Editor Forest and Stream:— 
A paragraph copied into your journal of Juno 10th. from the Farmlng- 
tou till ) JVeuw, wherein It was statjd lhata black squirrel was never seen 
In Illinois -menulug, of course, in the forests— brought out from Massa- 
chusetts two gentlemen who seem to discredit that unfortunate state- 
ment. One of them stales thut thirty years aco such squirrels abounded 
in the woods of Northern Illinois, and the other advises the editor of the 
paper aforesaid to take a trip to Waukegan, Illinois, claiming thut he 
would there find the black squirrel more pionty than he is aware of. 
1 was born at Waukegan, and since I first became able to carry a gun 
have been thoroughly aequatuted with all the woods of Northern Illi- 
nois. Since 1865 1 have considered myself a sportsman, and having 
hunted that Stato from its northern to its southern boundary, will state 
that I have never therein ever seen or heard of a black squirrel in Its natu- 
ral state. It is a fact that they were found there, quite rarely, as far 
back as thirty years ago, hut never, so far as I have been able to learn by 
actunl inquiry, in the nbuodaucc that the Massachusetts gentlemen would 
seem to Imagine, and should the editor of the News take the advised trip 
It would be Mr. Stone who wo.:ld have to acknowledge himself at error in 
his woodcraft. Gukdob. 
CENTRAL PARK MENAGERIE. 
Department op Public Parks, I 
New Your, July 4, 1875. f 
Animals rccelvod at Central Park Menagerie for the week ending July 
4th, 1876:— 
One White-throated Capuchin, Cebus fiypoltucu* . Preseuted by Mrs. 
Qco. Bailnr. 
One Malbronck Monkey, Chlorooebu* cynosurut. Ilab. West Africa. 
One Capyburo, HydroeJuerus eapybara. Ilab. South America. 
One Roebuck, Capreolut caprra. Hub. Europe. 
BRED IN TUB MBNACIBUIE. 
One Black Wolf, Cants occldtnUUU, Vor. ater. 
One Cygnet, Cyqnus olor 
Three Pea Fowl, Paoo cHstaius. W. A. Conklin, Director. 
GRASSHOPPERS AND POTATO BUGS. 
A LTHOUGH the reports received of the ravages of 
ax grasshoppers appear, upon investigation, to have 
been grossly exaggerated, yet the truth is bad enough, and 
sufficient to excite our warmest sympathy for the farmers 
who have been so afflicted. It seems rather strange that 
they do not disappear as rapidly as they come, as tradition 
and experience elsewhere would lead us to expect. In 
the western counties of Missouri, not withstanding the 
plague, it is reported that fully fifty per cent, more land 
will he cultivated this year than last, and that in spite of 
the ‘’hoppers," an average crop of all grain save wheat 
will be harvested. Iu fact, it seems that while in some 
places the destruction of vegetation has been enormous 
there is but very slight prospect of the people of Missouri 
requiring any assistance. 
Our sympathy is now excited for the farmers of Long 
Island, in whoso potato patches that terrible pest, the Col- 
orado potato bug, or beetle, has made his appearance. In 
Kings county the "spud" is cultivated to a large extent, 
and the later varieties appear likely to suffer. The ear- 
lier kinds are now in flower, and although the plants in 
many localities are covered with the insects and their lar- 
va, l he potatoes will be saved. The rapidity of growth of 
this "bug" is remarkable; in a week he is a grandfather. 
The edicts of the various European Governments in for- 
bidding the importation of American potatoes, though 
seemingly harsh, were yet founded in wisdom. The ap- 
pearance of this plague in Ireland would be productive of 
almost as much suffering as that during the great famine. 
The recuperative powers of the American people are 
strongly brought out, when they meet and conquer such 
visitations as the grasshoppers and potato bugs, whereby 
other nations would be prostrated and weakened for a long 
series of years. 
The Use of Toads. — The Journal dcs Connaissances Medi- 
cates states that the French horticulturists have followed 
the example of the English ones, aud peopled their gardens 
with toads. These reptiles are determined enemies of all 
kinds of snails and slugs, which, it is well known, can in 
a single night destroy a vast quantity of lettuce, carrots 
asparagus, Ac. In Paris toads are sold at the rate of 
fifty cents a dozen. The dealers in this.uniuviling article 
keep it in large tubs, into which they plunge their bare 
hands and arms, without any fear of the poisonous bite 
to winch they are supposed to expose themselves. Toads 
are also kepi iu vineyards, where they devour during the 
night millions of insects that escape the pursuit of noctur- 
nul birds. 
fennel. 
Tomato Trellises. — The cheapest Hnd most convenient 
trellis for tomatoes is to make a four square frame for 
every hill, of four pieces of hard wood, two feet long and 
one inch square, for the four corner posts. Let three 
pieces of lath, each one foot long, be nailed on each side; 
such trellises will cost only a few ceuts each, and they 
will save four times their cost in tomatoes. Let such a 
trellis be placed over each hill before the plant hits be-nin 
to bend sideways, then the fruit will be kept off the ground. 
If made of durable timber, and carefully stored during 
Winter in a pile on one side of the field, this kind of a 
trellis will last half a score of years or more, especially if 
they are dipped in a kettle of coal tar before they are- 
placed over the tomato hills. 
Time to Cut Grass. — The hay crop, according to the 
last census, cannot be estimated at less than $400,000,000. 
and this immense aggregate shows the importance of hus- 
band mg the great resources in the best manner. We shall 
not overstate the fact if we say that twentv-flve per cent, 
of the hay crop is lost by late cutting. Nature, in her ef- 
forts to perfect the seeds in all our ceral graius aud grasses, 
accomplishes this at the expense of the nutriment contain- 
ed in the stalk. In fact, it may be assumed as true, that at 
the time of blossoming, the stalk contains all the nutri- 
ment which the seed and stalk contain after ripening; ami 
therefore, that nothing has been gaiued by ullowing the 
seed to ripen, unless iu the case of cereal grains which are 
most valuable for their seed. As the seed ripeus, the solu- 
ble food constituents are taken from the stalk to perfect 
the seed. Chemical analysis has shown that clover before 
blossoming contained only twenty-eight per cent, of insolu- 
ble woody fiber, but immediately after blossoming, forty- 
three per cent, of insoluble fiber. All experiments tend to 
show that our grass crops, iuteoded for fodder, should be 
cut and cured into hay before nature has commenced the 
formation of seed. Therefore, the proper time tor cutting 
grass for hay is at the commencement of blossoming. 
There is more sap iu it, at this time, and, consequently re- 
rrJX L ° m9 PocLTnT awd Dog Show. — W e are in 
elpt of letters from the managers of the Grand Poultry 
inTatr? D ° gShow ’ to be held at the Exposition Build- 
ing atChicogo f rom the 20-h to the 28th January next. 
Uborri ev 1Un lT 8t, i D ° Win pre P aral,on - "HI he the most 
liberal ever offered at any similar exhibition, and with the 
ne n cnd tt H d /T i,i,ie f f ° r U lar *° 8h ™’ “ * confidently ox 
pectid that the exhibition will be the largest C v er held In 
D^mTh' r T i ie JU ' lgeS 9e,ecled the Bench Show are F 
Kv and W ° n IOWa ’ Arn0,d Maysvllle. 
Str'eIm 6 ' (thB “ S< l uire ’ , ’)«f Forest and 
n L 1 tJ , CK -~ Mr ’ 3 ‘ Westcott. of Philadelphia, ha. 
had.hem^foriunetoloHe by dislemper a very valuable 
pup from Fa'ry, by Pr.de of the Border, and his Gllder- 
sleeve bitch, which had been served by Pride of the Bor- 
der, dted while giving birth to a litter of pups. Two of 
UIC pups were saved, however, and are doing well. 
—We regret to hear that our centennial friend and broth- 
er sportsman, Dr. D. C. Estes, of Lake City Minn has 
just lost by distemper a valuable English pointer, named 
Uuteo. He was considered one of the finest yearling 
pupa in that part of the country. 
TRUE COLORS IN 
For Fortst and Slroam. 
SETTERS. 
-The fly eoason la near at hand, and careful housekeeper* nro taking 
measures u> prevent pictures, frame*. etc, .from being . • ... . . - ‘d 
over, • 1 • • " 
quires more curing; but each ton of cured hay is worth at 
least, twenty-live per cent, more, as nutrimeut for stock, 
than after the seed forms. 
Hay is also injured by beiug too much exposed to the 
rays of the sun. This causes the volatile arotua to escape, 
ami also dissipates much of the coloring matter, as may be 
seen by the bleaching, and also by feeding lo milch cows, 
from which the milk and butter will be liglu-colored. 
Here comes in the value of the hay-cap, which protects 
the hay cock from the rays of the suu, and allows it to 
cure with the flue green color preserved. 
We write thus early that our readers may have their at- 
tention called to this important matter in season. It is one 
of those subjects thut seem to require reiteration more than 
almost any other. The farmer is conservative of old habits. 
He has heard many say that ripe hay goes further— spends 
bolter. Yes, and brush would lost still longer for fodder. 
The poorest fodder, undoubtedly, lasts the lougest — but 
not the cattle . — Live Stack Journal. 
—One firm in Key West ships 8,000 pineapples to New 
York every week, 
I NOTICED some time since in your column of Answer. 
to Correspondents that you say liver and while are not 
uad colors in a Pet ter. Now, as everything is comparative 
and most of the authorities uuite in giving liver with it. 
modifications a low rank, I heg to take exceptions to your 
statement, so far as to show that comparatively this mark- 
ing is bad. I also think you should certainly lin.it your 
assertion to those breeds to which alone this color belongs 
as there are other strains in which, when they are pure it 
never appears under any CTCiimstances, and its presence 
is. consequently an indisputable proof of impure or 
crossed blood It is very important that where certain 
co ors furnish reliable tcsls of blood the limit of those 
colors should be known, as this will establish a standard 
hy which our sportsmen may control their efforts to breed 
hne dogs, while, if they start wrong, imagining, as they 
may from your unqualified assertion that liver and white Is 
good, that it belongs to all breeds, they will be constantly 
imposed upon by unscrupulous dealers, and end in "con- 
fusion worse confounded" in point of even correct theory 
Ou the color question let us see wliat "Frank Forester" 
says of the English setter; — "He is found of all colors- 
black, black and white, black and tan, pure white, liver 
liver and white, orange or red, and yellow and’ white 
spotted— and of all these colors he is found good; indeed 
us of the horse, it may he said that a good dog cannot be 
of a bad color. Nevertheless, I am apt to lliiuk that liver 
color is apt to indicate a predominance of pointer or water 
spaniel blood.” “Dinks,” one of the best writers of Eng- 
land, says in his vade-mecum, "colors, black and white 
red and white, black and tan," not mentioning liver at all' 
Darnels, an authority of high repute, also condemns the 
liver Stonehenge, in his "Dogs of the British Isles" 
places liver aud liver and white last of all in a list of colors 
which lie gives as taking rank in tho order named. Lave- 
rack, m "The Setter," speaks of the Edmond Castle breed 
of liver and white setters as of undoubted purity, and 
Pride of the Border, Mr. Raymond’s noble dog, which you 
name as an example, has no superior in blood, coming, ac- 
cording to Mr. Laverock, from the Edmond Castle strain. 
One swallow does not, however, make a Summer. We 
know that the water spaniels are mostly liver or liver 
mixed. Wc know, also, that but few strains of setter blood 
have been preserved with anv care, and that a great ma- 
jority are consequently tainted with all kinds of mixtures, 
so that when any dog shows this color, (which, according 
to the evidence of the authorities I have quoted, is com- 
paratively bad,) it is very reasonable to suppose, in the ab- 
sence of positive proof to the contrary, that he is of im- 
pure origin. His color betrays him to the suspicion be- 
cause it is intrinsically bad. 
I said you should have limited your assertion to certain 
breeds; for though the English setter sometimes shows the 
liver, the Gordon and the Irish never do— a fact vou do not 
state. A few weeks since I noticed in your journal a let- 
ter speaking of a brace of Irish setters purchased by a gen- 
tlemuu in Georgia, the dog of which is liver and white. 
Now, "Idstone,” "Stonehenge," Laverack, Daniels, "For- 
ester," and every judge of a show bench iu England, have 
designated the only colors belonging to the true Irish set- 
ter, and liver is not recoguized by any of them. There is 
not an authority iu the world that gives this color to the 
Irish dog, and a dog thus colored claiming to be of this 
blood, would be unhesitatingly thrown out on an English 
show bench, and his exhibitor deemed either grossly igno- 
rant or inclined to impose upon the judges. 
I do not make these remarks from any desire to be cap- 
tious, but because iu common with others who have under- 
taken the task of improving the depreciated blood of our 
keuuels by the importation of ’he best foreign strains, I 
do not wish a misconception of well-known facts to be 
added to the other obstacles which a narrow conservatism 
raises in our way. There are some men who egotistically 
deem it impossible for anything to be better thau their 
dogs. Such men will never reform till they find them- 
selves so far bcliiud their neighbors that shame compels a 
change. Others honestly believe in their favorites, but are 
open to reason, and will accept the evidence of superiority 
when it is presented to them. Such men will help us if, as 
we believe, foreigu blood proves purer and better than our 
old strains, aud it is for the information of such honest 
sportsmen, aud to save them from error, that I have traced 
these lines. 
I wish to be understood as saying that with such a dog 
as Pride of the Border, or his get, I should not object to 
liver owrkiog, because I should know from whence it w.«s 
