FOREST AND STREAM 
3Drt 
At no range to-day, or at any time, have either the 
Creedmoor or Dollymount scores of the American marks- 
men been equalled, or even approached, 'and a correspond- 
ent of the Mutt calls attention to this, which, he says, is 
the reason why the Americans were not permitted to shoot 
at a target to see how they would score. 
After the victory of the Irishmen, Wells, captain of the 
English eight, called for cheers for the Irish lean., which 
were given. Abercorn, captain of the Irish eight, spoke 
in response, and called for clicces for the Scotch eight. 
Dunlop, captain of that team, in speaking, complemented 
the American team ami America. 
Col. Gildenslecve, captain of the American team, re- 
turned his thanks for the favorable remarks about his 
country. In regard to tho hope that had been expressed 
that an American team would compete at Wimbledon in 
1870, he said: “We are to have at Philadelphia in that 
year a national centennial celebration, and we invite the 
rifle teams of the civilized world to a friendly contest 
there. Should that lie accomplished you will see an 
American team at Wimbledon in 1877." 
Lord WhurnelilTo said he hoped the English, Scotch and 
Irish riflemen would be represented at Philadelphia. 
THE RIFLE AT THE CENTENNIAL. 
Tim Americas Off-Hand Rifle Club.— Most of the 
members of this new and flourishing organization were 
present on the occasion of their first competition, at Union 
Hill Schuelzcn Park, on the 22d inst. In addition to the 
members, the shooting was graced by the preseuce of the 
lovely daughters of the worthy president of the club, and 
bright glances and approving smiles doubtless had much 
to do with the excellent shooting. The prize contested 
for was a magnificent cane, presented by Leon Rocker, 
Esq., and valued at $50. The shooting was done with 
heavy target rifles, hair triggers, ten shots each at 200 
yards. The targets used were of paper, with rings num- 
bered from the centre, the bullseye counting as 25, and the 
outer ring 1, making 250 the highest possible score. The 
members were entirely unused to the heavy rifles used, 
hut the scores indicate that the club will be able to turn 
out a team worthy of competing, at that distance, with 
any in the world. At two o’clock the shooting commenced 
and the following scores were soon rolled up: Mr. Win. 
Hayes, 202; Mr. Fuber, 108; Mr. Klein, 108; Mr. Hellwig, 
106; Mr. Tragesser, 102; Mr. Kessler, ISO; Mr. Moone, 
178; Mr. MacDonald, 167; Mr. Becker, 150; Mr. Hennion 
118; Mr. O’Kelly, 146; Mr. Farwell, 113. 
Adjourning to the Castle, the prize was presented to Mr. 
Hayes by tbe donor, Mr. Becker, in one of his felicitous 
speeches, which was appropriately responded to by the 
winner. The president then gave an account of the for- 
mation of the club, which was was followed by other 
speeches and toasts. The next meeting of the club will 
be held at the Twenty-second Regiment Armory, at eight 
o'clock P. M., on the 30th inst. The American Rifle As- 
sociation have tendered tbe Off Hand Club the use of their 
new range, in Westchester county, for their next meeting. 
—Tbe Connecticut Legislature has granted to the Sharp’s 
Rifle Company, of Hartford, a special charter, giving val- 
uable privileges and extending their capital slock *1 UOO - 
000,000. ’ ’ ’ 
1*iih Inter-State Match- — The California papers con- 
tain detailed accounts and target diagrams of this match, 
the origin of which was through a challenge from Califor- 
nia. published in this paper, and favorably commented 
upon editorially. Inter-State shooting will probably be- 
come common shortly, but we trust in a different shape. 
Arrangements should be made for the contestants to shoot 
at the same targets and under the same conditions as to 
wind, etc., by which only can a correct test be obtained. 
Canada Rifle Associations — We have received the 
programme of the Seventh Annual Prize meeting of the 
Quebec Rifle Association, which commences on the loth 
of August at the Point St. Charles Ranges, and continues 
on the following days until the matches are all shot. Sev- 
eral of the matches are open to “all comers," and we arc- 
assured that if any of our riflemen go up to try their luck 
they will find fair play and be well treated . The Domin- 
ion Rifle Association Tournament will commence at Otta- 
wa on tbe 7th of Septemoer next. $1,500 will be offered 
in prizes. There will be for the first time an Inter-provin- 
cial match, prizes for which amount to $1,300. 
Apropos of this meeting, we note that the Canadians 
have been very successful at Wimbledon, three of their 
men being winners of the Daily Ttltyraph prizes two of 
the Alfred prizes, and three cf the Windinnie prizes. In 
the first stage of the Queen’s prize, the winner of the first 
prize, with National Rifle Association silver medal and 
badge, made ninety points. He was followed by two 
Canadians, who, besides winning badges and £12 prizes 
rank among the sixty entitled to shoot in the second stage’ 
Their names are: Hunter, 86 points; Private Mills’ 
Tenth Battalion, Ontario, 79 points. In addition to llic.se’ 
£3 prizes were won by the following Canadians: Ensign 
f\ right, Fiftieth Battalion, Quebec; Gunner Little Grand 
Trunk Railway; Ward. Prizes in the Bass’ match 
were won by Sergt. Power, Sixty-third Battalion, Nova 
bcotia; Sergt. Major Cruit. Four Canadians were success- 
ful m the Alexandria prizes: Major Gibion, Thirteenth 
Battalion, Ontario; Major Hunter, Thirteenth Battalion 
UnUirio; Sergt. Major Cruit, Caot. Arnold 
In the match on the 22d, between the English and Cuna- 
dian riflemen for 'he Kolapore Cup, at 200, 500 and 000 
yards range, the Canadians won by 34 points. In the first 
competition the English team did not put in an appea”! 
ance, so the Canadians had a walk over. Afterward, upon 
the arrival of .he former, the Canadians voluntarily cam 
ceded their score, which amounted to 569 points and shot 
mentioned! ° W ^ ‘ h ° the result 
1’uu.AiiKLPiiiA, July 16th, 1S75. 
Editor FYiiikst ani> Stream:— 
Aiiioiik I Ik- German rlflo clubs of tin: Kuateru Slates an association was 
formed in 1872 lit I'lilladolpliia for the purpose of liuvlng a grand rifle 
contest every second year. Their rule is off-hand shooting at 2u0 yards 
distance, targets of various descriptions, us ring targets, man targets. 
Held targets, and hullscyo targets. Thu latter, having a 12-luck black 
visual centre, with a black -Much bullseye, is tho favorite target. Any 
small bore rifle, carrying not loss than twenty-eight round bullets to the 
pound, is admitted; hair triggers and bead sights lire In general use; rear 
sigliis, uny without magnifying glasses. At cn.li ineulhig the delegates 
of the associated clubs elect the place where tho next match is to he 
held, and the clnti which is to take charge of it. 
l-nd year, at Baltimore, several Western uud Soulhern rifle clubs were 
admitted into tile association, which then assumed the name of ine Rifle 
Association or the Unilcd Slates of N.vrtli America, (Sclinetzcn Bund 
■ler Vereiuigton Staatcn von Nonl America.) Philadelphia was elected 
as the place whore the associated clubs will meat in 1876, tho Philadel- 
phia Kllle Clul) to preside. This club owns a flue park of nineteen acres, 
situated on a hill on the left hunk of the Schuylkill, near Schuylkill Falls 
station, on the Noiristown branch of the Philadelphia and Germantown 
Railroad, when- the members meet every Thursday for rifle practice and 
enjoy nieiit. Tlu- Sclnictxen Park Is a favorito place of recreation among 
Philadelphians, who eagerly nvatl themselves of the occasions when the 
public generally is admitted. A good sized house, in which a restaurant 
is kept, n bowling house with four ton pin alley s, a large dancing pavil- 
ion, a stand for concert music, a shooting gallery for parlor rifles, sw ings, 
fly ing horses, and several bars and refreshment siands are erected on the 
grounds for the accommodation and amusement of tho visitors. The 
range runs east and west. The shooting house, at tho west end, Is u 
substantial brick building, with twelve roomy stands mid large loading 
tallies ill the rear nf eneb aland. Two traverses, crossing the range at 
short distances from the shooitug house, prevent the tiring at a wrong 
target and accidents from premature dischatves -of rifles. Tbe range is 
flanked on each side by Screens, so that bo stray bullet can gel ouGidc. 
The markers' ditch and the lurgcts are placed under a shed with sky- 
lights, in the rear of which nn embankment and stone wall receive the 
bullets passing through tho rear wall of the shed. There Is room enough 
to extend the range south ward, so that from forty to fifty targets can be 
placed in position, uud to equally extend the shooting house. This Is 
the place where the members of the associated clubs will try their skill 
next \ ear. 
The Committee of Organization, however, which has been appointed 
by the directors of the Philadelphia Rifle Club to prepare for and manage 
the association match and all l he festivities which will be arranged by 
the club at their park, in connection with the centennial celebration, pro- 
poses to give to tbut meeting of ritlenieu u much wider scope by connect, 
ing with the association match proper a gmeral rifle contest among all 
nations which may be represented by riflemen at the antent-ial. Of 
course, all shootiug.will be at 200 yords distance. A committee has been 
appointed to lay down a plan on which to conduct this international 
shooting festival. The gener.lldea is, to begin with the association 
match, which will occupy eight or ten days; some of the targets being 
open only to members of the association, others to all comers; then to 
set a week apart for general personal competition at all kinds of targets 
another week for competition of teams, which can easily be organized 
afier two week s observation, a third week exclusively for military 
weapons, quick firing, recreation matches, etc. Thus the friends of target 
shooiing will hove plenty of sport, a place of rendezvous being opened 
to Mum, where they are at all times welcome, and where t hey ”are sure 
always to meet congenial company. The Committee of Organization 
having secured the co-operation of the Centennial Commission, it Is ex- 
pected that some of the fire-arms on exhibition will be tested at the 
Schuerzen Purk. ^ 
[The contests suggested by out correspondent will be 
full of interest, and the various Scbuetzen bunds through- 
out tbe Union will no doubt gladly participate; and there 
should also be a fair number of European contestants. In 
addition to this, arrangements will undoubtedly be made 
for long range shooting, and probably a repetition of the 
international match or matches.— E d.] 
point, yet In practice It Is nllowcd u wider scopo, and la hero applied to 
the whole biUlacyo or mark," ’ 
I must al«o take exception to his remark that "many person- ami 
some of life long experience, still cling to tho fulse notion that t ho rlflo cur 
rlt» straight." Surely this Is Imputing too much Ignorance to even n„. 
most untaught rifleman, Indeed, I think there never was a rifleman 
who did not know that In sliooilug with tho common sights it W a* 
sary to draw a "lino sight" in shooting at a near ohjoet, and » "f„n 
sight" for more distant objects. Perhups ho was thinking only of 
begluncrs," whatever new beginner may mean. Plain Talk 
A MINNESOTA RIFLE CLUB. 
„ _ _ _ Suakoi-kk, July 12th, 1873. 
EDITOR Forest and Stream:— 
In May Inst an association was funned by members of tho machinery 
department St. Paul and Sioux City Railway, for the purpose of rifle 
practice and wing shooting, under tho name of the Practice Rlflo Club. 
Since then weekly meeting* have been In order, the shooting being con- 
fined to the 100 yards range, ten shots each. There are but two rifles at 
present to tho club, nnmoly. a Sharps 80-Inch barrel, 12 -pounder, and a 
Frank Wesson Of pounds, hoi Ii of 44 calibre. As wo are now to go on 
to the 200 yards range, a short review of our Acid meeting may not !>„ 
uninteresting, considering that a mujurity of the members are amateurs 
in rifle shooting. 
At the open to all -Itli July rifle tournament, Spencor, Biilcli, and Stc 
vens, of the club, won the three prizes offered by the committee on 
amusements; other*, not members of tho club, either falling to appear 
or shooting too wild with their old fashioned llcnrys and rusty muzzle 
loader*. 
At the last mooting, July lOih, an exciting contest took place for the 
horn, a splendid specimen from Uio shaggy In ad of an undent Monlnnn 
"battler, " presented by tbe secretary of tho club for the one making the 
highest score at each meeting, to bo retained at tin. close of the sen-on 
by the member winning It the iuo«t times. Sides being chosen, the 
scores were, out of a possible 60, ns follows — 
_ , , Score. I Name. Score. 
Taylor licintzelmon 47| Jonas Spencer jy 
C. A Stevens 4rt Samuel Leonard . .;•» 
eiFli i i -1 1 1 Harry Iloluuelman ;n 
K. P. Hatch (o) 2 1, Dutch (5| a, 
Totfrt 1 58 1 Total . 7*0 
T. Heiniz. lman and J. Spencer shot of the tie, each making 3 bulls- 
eyes (IS), and again one shot each at dusk, a centre for II uud a Oullseve 
for S., which gave for the fourth tiino the horn to Jonns Spencor. Helu- 
t adman's string on the Inst five regular shots was 9 'I-Jfl inches, the 
shortest us yet, 10* and 12* to 13* being the best heretofore. 
As this is about the first, if not the only organization of the kind in 
the State, I thought proper to have ourselves placed on record through 
the recognized rifle journal of America, the Forest and Stream. 
£_A- Stevens, Secretary 
and (£un. 
GAME IN SEASON IN JULY. 
Woodcock, Snipe, Curlew, and Bay bird*. 
POINT BLANK, Etc. 
Editoh Forest and Stream:— 
In your paper of July 1st whs an article on point blank from one who 
uses tbe nerm 'Uplumt of an "Old Scent." Ills explanation and defini- 
tion of point blank were so singular and remarkable that it seemed im- 
possible it could pass unchallenged. On first rending this article I was 
so - truck with what seemed to me glaring errors that I jotted down a few 
notes us the basis of a prompt reply. On a subsequent reading, and espe- 
cially in view of tbe fuel Unit In your introduction you approved of the 
explanation, I determined to wait ood see if wiser, older, und more ex- 
perienced heads did not take up the matter to show Ire inconsistencies 
Two Issue of your paper have appeared, hut no one seems to question 
the theories of your correspondent. (It is hardy possible something 
muy have been said in your number for July 8th, which I lost before 
having time to examine it. In that case my remarks may be iwnoDrn- 
prlutc.) 
My reasons for objecting to “Old ScontV’ definition arc that he flret 
gives one . use of point blank range and then contradicts himself by giv- 
ing another, which is altogether an indefinite distance. la the first place 
in Ilia 1 cure 2," he definea the "true point blank range" as the point 
where the trajectory of the bull first cuts tbe line of sight. Had he 
stopped light here he would have been pretty near the truth; but he sny* 
In practice this point blank Is only about fifty y H rds from the piece • 
hence it is not the point blank Surely this Is remarkable reasoning’ 
Notice, he says, first it is the truo point blank, then be finds it too near 
the piece; therefore it is not the point blank. 
N.-xt, be defines point blank range to be the second point where the 
trajectory of the ball cuts the lino of sight. In theory uud practice this 
may mean almost any dl-tance, and Is therefore too indefinite For in 
elui.ee, suppose the buck sight is elevated sufllcleutly to allow the hall to 
par. merely u small fraction of an Inch above the line of sight Here 
the point blank range, according to "Old Seoul," would be at compare 
lively a .lion distance from tbe gun. Elevate the buck sight more and 
the point blank range Is longer. Continuing toeievuto the back slid, t 
we should find the point blank range would continue to Increase till It 
might attain a distance of 2.0u0 yards or more. In other word., our srl 
entitle rifleman would have u* believe that point blank range | a any dls" 
tanco wo choose. 1 18 
Now, I venture to say that when point blank range Is spoken of. some 
dlsui.ee approximately determinate Is meant. When In dosciihlnn a 
fight between two vessel, the gnus were fired at point blank range we 
know Hu- two vessels were so near that they coold fire their guns with 
out elevating them. Would Old Scout," when ho waa 1U So United 
State, army In dcerlblng some action In which our men fired np„„ ho 
TTJi 1 y i rd "’ h b ‘ re HUld ,hM the >' flr <* Point blank range! If 
In- had done so. doe. he suppose any other officer or rifleman could guess 
wlililn a thousand yards what distance he meant! K eBn 
1 know of hat one theoretically good dcfii.lUon of point blank which 
I. that given In the "Glossary of Military Term*:" "Tin, position o! „ 
firearm when the axla of the bore and the object arrived m are ., ra 
.amepianewhieh may be either parallel or Inclined to I ho horizon " 
Ann point blank range, the distance at whlchabaU from.JT , 
at point blank, will Im the object aimed at. And a. "Old d 
truly eay., "while In theory fatet point buT ! a.S 
—A correspondent writes from Round Mountain, Texas, 
Unit large bevies of young quail nre seen nil over tho 
country, thereabouts, and that the first hatching arc al- 
most full grown. 
The members of the Staten Island Shooting Associa- 
tion have become affected with the Greener breech loader 
fever, and several of them already have ordered guns of 
that maker, through Mr. H. C. Squires, of No. 1 Corllan.it 
street. 
—A correspondent writes from Portland, Maine under 
date of July 2l9t:— 
Our sportsmen report woodcock rather more plenty than usual hut 
generally consider the weather loo warm for trumping l» cover so but 
few are brought in. The marsh shooting, which opens with ... about 
August 7th, is anxiously waited for. when "Win’." kitchen will he again 
the scene of surp.lsiLg feats In the eating and drinking line, and many 
s brown back and yellow leg will come to grief Dlttmar’s powder is 
being tried by many w ith good results . V|I)| 
A valued correspondent, the author of the sprighlly 
Polly letters, recently printed in our journal gives the 
following information respecting the game of Minnesota 
He says: — 
‘‘There is plenty of game in Minnesota, and large lm-s 
Hranc !? a t dC> b t U WU ‘ * b r l ran 6 e « Hie game bus many 
chances to get away. A bevy of quail, instead of flying 
into a small coppice ora few brush heaps, where they can 
be cut to Pieces as m Ohio, or the East? hero go imo from 
iUnd M d . acr i C3 of denf “ e 0,lk semf in Which it 
18 almost impossible to shoot at all. In the first place the 
birds will not scatter or lie but keep in a bevy and run all 
day before a slow dog; and a fast dog won’t help the mut- 
er, supposing he does succeed in breaking them up— will 
nnnK t 0U \ 8UC ’! b, , ute 118 i’ 0 "* lo do it. They will 
not lie first rate, and if you start a bird you cannot get 
fn°terlf« U in» r |?mh1 ,n llm « to cover him, on account of the 
interlacing limbs of these miserable little ouk trees. Large 
eno!rel, ft to maVi^®’ ^'t V DevCr HS" 1 * of nn y »»« shooting 
tlT k cn 1 nhi„ a ? 00d dlnner - .Tho ruffed grouse, which 
they call pheasants, are very plenty, and in some covers 
good sport may be lmd But generally they are found 
he thick oak scrubs- They, fike Urn quail, arc little in- 
clined to rise and very much inclined to run so that you 
thev hT ®A d , 'f° 8 i 00t "' em "P° n ,hu ground, or ihen 
they tree. As for shooting them flying, there is the same 
roulrieas with the quail-the utter .uip.^sib.ltly of bnng 
rr K .! 1L ', K1,n to hear upon them. The most of the ruffed 
grouse brought into the St, Paul market— and they aro 
vciy many— are shot over a little cur dog, who is tm.X to 
it) 6 a n?<sa n hlv®f gag0 lhu,ruUc, 1 ,lio « until the shooter comes 
^ [ M,r V , y t° nillke ,l living, but poor sport. 
1 raine chicken shooting in the season is first rate from 
August until the middle of September, when they beg E lo 
pack and will not lie well; besides tbe duck shooting now 
commences, ami then no one cares for anything S A 
Xo?.X,r °® 8 n °- COt l sid,;r 11 ProMe chic-kef fit to cut 
h. *?2r ^ e r r * ro C ° m , parm ^ contemptuously to a crow; 
Jut a half-crown or a just full-grown prairie chiclu-n is 
eatable, and very much so; and every time you arise from 
Srd D 5wftS7 n ri U C i Dn0t bd l ,but tlrnnkful that this 
ruffed JLlfa :od - M w y VP ,ni °H 't is far ahead of the 
at r i 7 ,mc ’ Uul *11, 'bo ducks-mal- 
bluehSr Ivb ’, IH * !l fe7‘ V,W intelw. or even the despised 
tIca b/a ll,ey CI L U 'A 1 " 1 * duck,' —fattened upon wild 
horded knlpu are very plenty upon the 
the Rlonfri, a l 1° !i llkefl ' nl °ng tho river bottoms, among 
the sloughs, and by every marshy pondi but I found them 
