1875 . 
137 
horses and ascended t'le peak through the deep snow 
From this point we had un elegant view, said to be the 
finest in the whole Territory, with Gray’s, James’ and 
Erwin’s Peaks and Mount Lincoln in plain sight; also 
the towering mountains of the Old Chief, Papoose and 
Squaw, and the vast plains in the distance, with the 
valleys and gulches beneath us. We passed some time 
in gazing on the rare sight and studying out the^trails 
of deer, bear and mountain sheep on the precipitous 
sides of the mountains. We were standing at an eleva- 
tion of over 10,000 feet which made the blood tingle in 
the veins of our fingers, and near this point we started 
up a covey of grouse, and were somewhat surprised to 
find them up there; but our friends informed us that it 
was no unusual sight to see large coveys of mountain 
grouse even up to, and quantities of rabbits and wood- 
chucks above the timber-lines. After satisfying our cu- 
riosity we returned to the carriage and were soon on the 
old stage road at the head of the celebrated Virginia 
canon where Horace Greeley took a stage ride of three 
and a half miles in eleven and a half minutes, and Gen 
Grant beat that by half a minute with the veteran stage 
owner, William Campbell, holding the reins. For a 
description of this wonderful road we shall quote again 
from “Summering in Colorado.” \V. F. P. 
— 
Tbe M atertowu I'oiiveiilion. 
Everything has been done to make this meeting 
worthy of the great State it represents. The prize? are 
on a scale of extraordinary liberalit}'. The meeting 
will include everything that can be packed into a 
convention of gentlemen sportsmen. The manage- 
ment is in charge of men of the highest character and 
there can be no doubt of a very large attendance. 
It is on an occasion likejhisthat the gentlemen sports- 
men of the country have an opportunity of showing 
themselves in force, and of proving theii character in 
the community by the weight of numbers and respe^ ta- 
bility. A most mistaken idea prevails that no mao of 
decent antecedents and surroundings can a.ssociale him- 
self with those who make field sports a habitual pur- 
suit. There never was a greater error. The best and 
the wisest have always held that recreation for mind 
and body, is as needful as food and rest; and where 
can more healthful, more rational recreation be found 
than in those amusements wdiich bring us into imme- 
diate contact with nature, which make tree exercise and 
fresh air and temperate habits a necessity, carrying us 
away fiom vapid frivolities ami trivial dissipations. 
Such meetings as the Watertown convention will do 
more to serve the cause of rational out door sjiort than a 
volume of arguments. 

The Watektows pkizes are something quite unus- 
ual, both for value as well as for the judgment and 
sound taste shown by the donors in their selection of 
articles. The Parker guns, a Sharps rifle, a Remington 
rifle, a Lefevre gun, a HegcmaiJs boat, gold and silver 
cups and medals, gold and silver watches, carriages, re- 
volvers, sporting implements, and money prizes with- 
out end. A prize for the best man and for the worst, 
ill fact a man can scarcely w’alk across the ground with- 
out the risk of winning a prize. 
• 
The Dog Show ai- Watertown will be a splendid ex- 
hibition of the best blood in the country. Entries close 
on Tuesday, June 1. Arrangements have been made 
with the several railroads for the conveyance of dogs 
at half rates as far as K me, and thence by Rome, 
Watertown and Ogdensburg railroad, free. “Mohawk,’ 
known to all votaries of Rod and Gun, is master of the 
dog show, and will bring his department through in the 
very best form. 
The list of prizes at Wateiiown is good reading to 
those who mean to be there — poor comfort for those 
who stay away. 
— 
Albany via Central to Rbme or Syracuse, thence to 
Watertown, is the best waj'. 
^ 
The Rod and the Gun is, as our readers know, a 
p iper for gentlemen sportsmen. Considering its circu- 
lation and the class to which it goes, ive venture to as- 
sert that no better advertising medium can be found: 
and we honestly confess our surprise that of the many 
business men to be found among our subscribers, so few 
should avail tliemselves of our advertising columns. 
Gur readers use a good many articles besides fishing 
tackle and shot guns. AVe venture to think our 
columns would pay. Why not try them? 
THE BE.VEFITS OF (LOSE TIHE. 
The following letli r, written by Dr. Ordway, Presi- 
dent of the Alass. Anglers’ Association, to the fish com 
missionersof Inland Fisheries of tint state, speaks for 
Itself as to the benefits of a close time: 
Boston. Dec. 12, 1874. 
To the Commissioners of Inland Fisheries: 
Gentlemen: — In reply to your inquiries as regards 
the practical working of the smelt-law, pa.ssed by our 
last legislature, and the effect of the close time, allow 
me to sa}' that it has exceeded the most sanguine ex- 
pectations of the friends of this beautiful fi.sh. Smelt 
of enormous size have been caught, whilst thousaiiiis of 
small smell have shown the bcnefi:-ial result of allow- 
ing the females to throw their spawn last spring, instead 
of being stolen by a few seines. Besides this, hundreds 
and tens of hundreds nf poor mechanics have had a 
chance to catch a good mess for their families after their 
day’s work was over. In addition to this, the dealers 
have reaped aj;Ood harvest, from the fact that they have 
had a better class of smelts, and received belter prices. 
But perhaps I cannot do better than to give you a few 
extracts from letters sent me by gentlemen who take an 
1 terest in smells. These are but a few of the mani, 
all expressing similar views. A gentleman writing from 
Salem, sa^'s: “You have done a great and good work in 
increasing the smells in tliis vicinity. It seems like 
old times to see ilie boys with their baskets well filled.” 
Dr. E. .]. Tlionipson, writing from Lynn, says: “It 
would do your soul good to come to Lynn and visit tlie 
wharves at the present time (October 12), and see the 
smelt fishers at it. — old and young, rich and poor, split- 
bamboo and bean poles, all together, and such smelt- 
fishing af tliey have not seen for }'ears. Every one 
thought that smelt-fishing was played out; hut now 
some of the best fishermen have caught as high as 
twenty and thiity dozen in one day.” Benj P. Ware, 
Esq , writing from Marblehead, after speaking of the 
wholesale and wasteful methods of slaughtering fish 
with seines and trawls, especially in the siiawning 
season, says: “Smelts, which were becoming quite 
scarce, have this fall been very abundant. In Swamp 
scolt, where smelts in previous years have been almost 
unknown, they have been taken in great numbers, 
many of them weighing half a pound each. This 
change is doubtless due to the close time and legislative 
Acts passed in relation to the catching of smells.” 
In this connection. I would say that many persons 
have, to ni}' knowledge, made from ten to twenty dol 
lars a day catching, legally, with hook and line, so 
plenty have smelt become; and I have no doubt that 
this winier, as the result of the law, hundreds of per- 
sons who perhaps couhl not get work, will be enabled 
to make excellent wages by catching throvgh the ice 
1 have no hesitation in saying that the law has worked 
splendidly, and tliat anoiher close time, next spring, 
will produce excellent results; viz., still larger smelts, 
and in greater numbers. Yours truly. 
JOHN P. ORDAVAY. 
AA'hat the Alassaehusetts Fish Commissioners think 
of the efforts ot the Massachusetts Anglers’ Association 
is shown in the following extract from their report: 
I Smelts (Osweraa nViVfcsce/i.'t), have been very plenty 
this fall, and many persons, out of employment, have 
had abundant reason to feel thankful for the efforts 
made during the last four 3 ’ears to increase these fish 
As high as eighty dozen have been taken with a single 
ryd in one day. To the Alassaehusetts Anglers’ Asso- 
ciation (composed of several hundred of some of the 
most influential men in the State) mainl}’ belongs the 
credit of enforcing the law for their protection. 
A .MEETING of gentlemen interested in the protection 
of game was held at the Cooper Union in New York, 
May li), for the purpose of forming an International 
Association of Americans and Canadians to regulate the 
game and fish laws on a basis of reciprocity. Those 
present were few in number but a large number of let- 
ters were read expressing sympathy with the objects in 
view. Hon. R. S. Roosevelt was elected president and 
.several A'ice Presidents were named. There not being 
enough present to form an executive, a nominating 
committee was a|>pointed to select the standing com 
mittees as eligible names might occur. 
Gen. Si’iNNEii writes as follows to Air. Seth Green, 
t 
the pisciculturist: “The time will come, if it is not 
:ilready here, when the credit of having demonstrated 
that an acre of heretofore water waste is worth more 
for the production of wholesome tood for man than an 
acre of the most fertile land, will be awarded to you. 
Next winter I intend to fish in Florida waters, where I 
hope j'ou will meet me with rod and line.” 
The loss of little birds in Belgium was so great from 
the cold of last winter that a humane society for their 
protection in winter time has been established. The 
.society insists that the expense will be more than cov- 
ered by the destiuctioii of insects. 
Fishing has begun in the Adirondacks. The water.*- 
are free from ice, and tourists are in motion. 
.ALL SPORTSMEN are interested in the best hunt- 
ing grounds of the South-west. The line of the Alis- 
souri, Kansas and Texas Railroad aft irds untold fields 
of Game-Birds, Fish and animals. Send to General 
Passenger Agent, Sedalia, Mo , for free maps, illustra- 
tions and descriptions. Correspondence solicited. 
Thos. Chal.mehs, of Holyoke, writes us, Alay 24: 
“ Shad have got here. They took a few with net last 
week; quite a good haul this morning; if weather keeps 
so, expect to take in a few with fl\' this week” 
Holyoke, Alay 25.— The first shad of the season, 
with fiy, was taken by Alaster Frank Haywood, a boy 
12 3 ’ears old. He was fishing off the bridge, and after 
some fine play he succeeded in lifting 4 1-2 pounds up 
on to the bridge. Franky makes a very fair promise. 
Detroit has a new club — The North Channel Shoot- 
ing Club. President, Marcus Stevens; A". P., AA’. 
Knight: Sec., J. P. Donaldson; Treas, E. AA’'. Butler. 
The Alineola, L. I., show will be held June 2-3. 
X.liTI0IVAL SPORTSAIEX’S COMEXTIOX 
( LEVEL.AXI), 0., JIXE 8, 1875. 
AVe propose to give a list of delegates from the 
various Slate Assoeiations to the National Convention 
to be held at Cleveland in June next. To this end we re- 
quest the Secretar 3 ' of each State Association to forward 
us names of delegates as, and when, they may be ap- 
pointed. AA’'e have occasionally received letters disclos- 
ing mistaken views as to the nature and objects of the 
National organization. AA'e are ver 3 ’ sure that all intel- 
ligent sportsmen who take any pains to enquire into the 
subject will not have any hesitation in giving their 
hearty support to both the National and the State Asso- 
ciations, of which the National is composed. To re- 
move any doubts, however, we give the following ex- 
tract from tiie proceedings of the National at Niagara 
in September last; 
Resolred. That its precedent is, first, the protection of 
game and fish in all the. Slates and Territories, by pro- 
curing the ptissage in eacli State, and in the Congress of 
the United Slates, of uniform co-operation and consis- 
tent laws, strictl 3 ’ prohibiting their destruction during 
the breeding, nesting and spawning seasons, and rea- 
sonable time preceding and following the same. Pro- 
hibiting the capture and destruction of certain species 
of game birds in nets and traps during an 3 ’ and all .sea- 
sons; prohibiting the catching and destruction of fish, 
in the now navigable lakes and streams, with nets or by 
means of chemicals; prohibiting the obstructing of the 
free passage of fish by nets across such streams, and 1 ) 3 ’ 
the creation of fish-dams and traps; and to procure the 
passage of such other and further legislation as may be 
necessar 3 ’ and proper for the full accomplishment of our 
purpose; second, through subordinate organizations, to 
insure a rigid enforcement of all the game and fish pro- 
tection laws now or hereafter to be enacted; third, to 
secure by and through proper legislation the right of 
property in useful hunting dogs, making them, when 
stolen, the subject of larceny, or w’hen wantonly killed 
or maimed the subject of a misdemeanor; fourth, to 
secure, through and by proper legislation, the passage 
of laws prohibiting at any time and season the killing 
or destruction of all song and non-game birds; to or- 
ganize and consolidate under our State jurisdiction, 
game and fish protective clubs or associations in each 
State and Territory, to act under the jurisdiction of the 
National Association, in securing and enforcing proper 
protective legislation. 
Resolved, That all naturalists, fish culturists, and 
sportsmen generally in those States having no associ 
ations be, and are hereby, earnestly’ requested without 
delay to organize local clubs therein, to form State As- 
sociations under the juri.sdiction of the National Asso- 
ciation, and that all State organizations noir existing and 
operating be and are solicited to become members of this As- 
sociation, so that by’ unity of action throughout the land 
we may' accomplish and perpetuate the great refoim 
designed and desired. 
LIST OK delegates. 
Connecticut. — 11. J. Boughton, AA'^aterbury ; AV. F 
Pa’^ker, AVest Aleriden; A. C Hoblis, Bridgeport; Henry 
B. Harrison, New Haven; F. AV Russell, Hartlord. 
Illinois. — AV. F. Milligan, Chicago; Hon. S. P 
Hopkins, Palatine; Abner Price, Chicago; Dr. AV. A 
Pratt, Elgin; Jno. L. Pratt, Sycamore. 
AIass.vciiusetts. — John Boyden, AA'orcester; Luthei 
Adams, Boston; Hon. E H. Lathrop, Springfield; Geo 
Delano, New Bedford; T. L. Siurievant, Framingluim 
Wisconsin. — H. N. Sherman, Beloit ; S. S. AA'oo 1 
ward, AA'atertown; A. F. Lund, Aladison; F. AV. AA'oc il 
ward, Eau Claire; F. Pond, Montello. 
New Ha.mpshiue — John B. Clarke, AVatermau 
Smith, Albert G. Dole, Gen. Bisco of Manchester, AVii- 
liam Jarvis of Claremont. 
iltCHiGAN. — Robert P. Toin.s. Detroit; E. S Holmes, 
Grand Rapids; D. 11. Filzhiigh, Jr., Bay City; Edgar 
AVeeks, Mt. Clemens; Charles C. Cabman, Detioil. 
Alternates — A. M. Nan Diizer, Detroit; AA’. L. Thayer, 
Grand Rapids; AA’. C. Colburn, Detroit; J. G. AVinder, 
Saginaw; C. C. Fitzhugh, Bay City. 
a 
