290 
August 14, 1875. 
LETTERS FROM SPORTSMEN. 
Dr. Kowe to ‘‘ Jnstioe” and 3Ir. Stoddard. 
New York, Aug. 9. 
Editor Kod axd Grx: 
I have noticed that invariably when an individual 
wants to do an injustice, or do all the hammering, he 
resorts to some such misnomer as “Justice,” “Fair 
Play,” or other word equally as non-significant. “Jus- 
tice,” in your last issue, is not an exception, but under 
the ETUise of correcting a supposed injustice, is guilty of 
a gross wrong. 
As to the inimical motive, etc., I have but to reiterate 
mj' statement in same issue in reply to Mr. Arnold 
Burges. I did not intend an injury, nor do I even now 
see that such has been done. 
As to seeing Rufus in a box, such was not the fact. 
Neither was the tar, with which “ Justice” says he was 
covered, visible. I saw him on the chain, in a good 
light, and examii'-.d him and came to the conclusion 
that he was the finest red Irish setter dog then in the 
country. Ranger I saw under equally disadvantageous 
circumstances, as ^Ir. Jenkins received him at .5 o’clock 
in the evening of June 22, and started his man with him 
on the 10:30 train the same eveningto take him to Mine- 
ola, the show being held the next day, the 23d, and fol- 
lowing day, the 24th. This fact 3Ir. Jenkins will corrob- 
orate and substantiate. If I saw one under disadvan- 
tageous circumstances I saw the other equally so. 
It is not necessary for your correspondent to again go 
around the world, and over a large portion of it, to see 
a handsomer dog than Rufus; he need go only to Bal- 
timore to see him. 
“Justice” has not the right to say that were Ranger 
the veriest cur I would not have hesitated to pronounce 
him a better dog than Rufus, unless the gentleman pre- 
su.ues that hi* coat fits me. 
Ranger’s blood is certainly as good as that of Rufus. 
His dam. Sill II., is doubtless one of the most perfect 
Irish bitches in the world. The number of prizes she 
has won proves that; with the additional fact that Mr. 
Llewellyn paid £1-30 for her and now owns her. As to 
the fact that my enmity to Mr. Burges is well known, 
the statement is as false as the constructions put on my 
remarks are incorrect. I do not feel friendly to Mr. 
Burges now; and, 1 think, since his letter and the evi- 
dent attempt of his to poison “Justice’s” mind and 
others against me, I have good cause. But that I was 
unfriendly to him when I wrote that report, I pronounce 
an absolute and unqualified falsehood, emanating solely 
from a distorted mind. 
As to my being “ of an envious disposition and with 
prejudices'so strong as to render me incapable of form- 
ing an imiJartial judgment,” I don’t think that my 
friends would recognize the likeness to me. 
To Itir. Stoddard. Though not personally acquainted 
with I>Ir. Stoddard, yet I know he is a gentleman, and 
am satisfied that nothing but a misapprehension of the 
true facts in the case, and falsehoods told to him, 
would have induced him to write the letter he has. 
But I must say he hits the nail on the head when 
he says: “ It may seem that I am making much 
ado about nothing’.” As to being ashamed to attach 
my name to the statement, :Mr. Stoddard is mistaken. 
That I have explained before, and have but to add 
that the same charge, as also that of the commu- 
nication being anonymous, can with the same jus- 
tice be brought against any report which appears in 
our daily or weekly papers. Mr. Stoddard must under- 
stand that the rules of journalism do not require the re- 
porter's signature to his report. Under the same cir- 
cumstances I should do the same thing again, thereby 
maintaining my privilege to do as I did. 3Iy motive 
being pure, I stand by the act. I never wrote a line in 
my life — and, a-s long as my reason lasts, never shall— 
to which I was ever either ashamed or afraid to affix my 
signature. This also answers the remark about the 
cowardly blow. 
:3Ir. Stoddard misrepresents when he states that I 
pronounced all who differed with me ignorant of “ the 
characteristic good points of the breeds.” VThat I said 
was this: “Burges wiU have to haul his colors down if 
they ever meet at a bench show, and are judged by men 
who are conversant with the characteristic good points 
of the breed.” Since men who may be good sportsmen 
but vet ignorant of the characteristic good points of the 
red Irish setter, are at times liable to be judges of dogs, 
this remark does not show that my “self-sufficiency is 
beautiful,” but that I was qualifying my statement, and 
that Mr. Stoddard’s obtuseness is conspicuous in not 
seeing it in that light. N. Ro%ve. 
Truth or Falsehood. 
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., July 28. 
Editor Rod and Gux: 
A very foolish communication from your correspond- 
ent “ Medicus” appears in the issue of July 17th, which 
I think the author will regret ever signing. The ques- 
tion of veracity (which is all I shall notice) can be sum- 
med up under the following heads : 
First — Penetration of black powder. — “Medicus” 
quoted this from Dittmar, but totally ignored it in my 
communication. As my sfiitement is absolutely true, 
and can be proved with a Sharps Creedmoor, I do not 
see that it is necessary to say anything further on the 
subject. 
Second — Durability of the Maynard. — “ ^Medicus” also 
quoted what his friend Dittmar told him about certain 
overcharges (some -3,900) fired from a Maynard, without 
injury to an}' part. He took offense because I saw fit 
to doubt it, and also evaded this, partially, by a high 
eulogy of Dittmar. 
A specimen of what Dittmar “ knows” can be found 
in the Rod axt) Gux of May 22. “3Iedicus” says: 
“ Dittmar unhesitatingly gives the palm for penetration 
to the Maynard.” Now, when it is understood that 70 
grains is the largest charge that can be used (.50 cal.), 
the absurdity of his teUing such trash, in the face of 90 
and 95 grains used by Sharps Creedmoor ( with a pene- 
tration nearly double), shows that he is unreliable and 
ver}' ignorant (? ) The reason I told “ Medicus” I did 
not believe his 5,900 yam was founded on this one point 
alone; and it certainly is a substantial one. If Dittmar 
would “exaggerate” on such a grave matter as this, he 
unquestionably might in another. 
Hurd — Dittmar's Powder. — This, he also seems to let 
slip. I now prove this point, which business did not 
permit at that time, penetration only. I used an 8 pound 
Tolley gun, 14 gauge, with copies of the Galaxy for 
target, Dittmar’s powder, four drams by measure, 
oz. No. 6 shot, gave as the average of five shots, 72 leaves. 
Hazard’s No. 3 ducking, 3i drams, average of five shots, 
88 leaves, distance 33 yards. 
If “ veracity” dwells in “Medicus” it is lacking in 
quite a number of his late contributions. 
“Fred” thinks I contradicted myself. I said that a 
Sharps rifle (sporting or hunting, common), 10 pounds 
weight, was not reliable at 800, 900 and 1,000 yards. 
Now, “Fred” may take one of their Sharps Creedmoor 
guns, same weight, same quantity of powder, and, at this 
distance, it is perfectly reliable. Now, there is no differ- 
ence in weight of guns, yet the target results are vastly 
unequal — one miserable and worthless, the other ex- 
ceedingly good. Therefore, “ Fred,” do you now think 
I have contradicted myself? And, also, where is your 
theory of weight gone to in this case? 
I am willing to hear what “ Snap-shot,” “ Nick” and 
the others have to say on your last point. Of course, it 
will be understood that “theories,” “thinks,” or “sup- 
poses,” are to be omitted— facts, only, are wanted. 
Furthermore, that aU shooting from the shoulder, or in 
any position, except from an artificial rest, is likewise 
excluded. Ex-Guxm.ckeb. 
They want it. 
Watertowx, Wis., Aug. 3. 
Editor Rod axd Gus: 
I like the Rod axd Gux, as it fills the bill completely 
and is just what every genuine sportsman should have 
every week, and I have no doubt there are thousands in 
the 3Vest who will become subscribers as soon as the 
paper is put before them. S. S. W. 
Fish in Michigan. 
Chicago, August 5. 
Editor Rod axd Gux : 
It is not my intention to obtrude on your valuable pa- 
per, but in the last is'ue I noticed your comments about 
North Michigan, referringj to the guide books of the 
G. TV. & I. R. R. I have just returned from a fishing 
trip in that locality, and would say to brothers of the 
rod, it would be hard to find a place to beat the Girard 
Traverse region for a short pleasure trip. Streams 
abound in every direction, cold, clear, with sharp cur- 
rents. alive with speckled beauties that need a little coax- 
ing^to get them to bite. The !Manistee and Boardman 
Rivers have trout in abundance; also the beautiful gray- 
ling, both of which will take worms for bait. The Rap- 
id River, where it empties into Torch River, is a fine 
place for trout. Both these streams are very strong^ 
the current making it difficult for rowing; but trout can 
be seen all the way down the stream for four miles in 
large numbers, while in the lakes elk, bossard, torch 
and intermediate bass, and large lake trout can be caught 
with a long line and spoon hook; it requires a line 1.30 
yards or more, with good sinkers to draw them from 
their deep beds. I found Mann’s spoons, 20x22, a very 
enticing bait for bass. We fished with minnows and 
live frogs for half the day on one line, not taking a 
fish. At the same time Mr. Mann’s spoon was taking 
bass three pounds and over. Should any of your patrons 
visit this locality let them take good trolling lines, Mann’s 
spoons, advertised in your columns, a good gun — for 
partridge will be plenty after Sept. 1 — and above all 
things, a good pocket compass,” for it is pretty easy 
to get lost in the forest while hunting. As far as I can 
judge. Traverse City is perhaps the best place for head- 
quarters, because you can get fishing of both kinds, 
trout in the streams, bass and pickerel in the lakes and 
Traverse Bay. Normax. 
FISH hm FiSHII^S. 
Owing to the severe storms of the past ten days, all 
kinds of fish are scarce, and prices are comparatively 
high, salmon especially being unusually scarce, the 
catch being fully forty per cent, less than last year. 
None are to be found in market this week, whereas 
generally fresh salmon are to be had until September 
10. Of refrigerated salmon, only about one half the 
usual quantity has been stored. Spanish mackerel from 
our immediate vicinity are arriving in very light con- 
signments, and seU quickly at 40 cents per pound, while 
the Southern variety from Chesapeake Bay sell for 
25 cents. Fresh mackerel, 20c. ; bluefish, 10c.; halibut, 
20c. ; cod, 8c. ; eels, 20c. ; weakflsh, 12c. ; striped bass, 
25c. ; sheepshead, 25c. ; sea bass, 20c. ; soft crabs, |1 25 
to f2 00 per dozen, according to size; green turtle, 15c. 
per pound. Brook trout are not in much request ; orders 
are taken at $1 25 per pound, and filled from some of 
the ponds in the vicinity of New York. 
Shad at Holyoke. 
An arrangement having been made between the United 
States Commissioners of Fish and Fisheries and the 
(Commissioners of Massachusetts and Connecticut, the 
business of shad hatching at Holyoke the present sea- 
son has been conducted by Prof. James W. Milner, un- 
der the direction of the former. A portion of the fish * 
hatched have been placed in the Connecticut River at 
South Vernon and other desirable points. Most of 
them, however, have been sent to Southern and W est- 
ern waters. A shipment was sent to Germany about 
ten days since, and great hopM?s are entertained of sue. 
cess. This shipment was made in charge of Mr. 3Iyron 
Green and Mr. Welcher, as they have an apparatus 
made expressly for this undertaking. The result of 
this shipment may be looked for in a very short time. 
Mr. Fred Mather has invented a very simple machine 
for shad batching, which he had on exhibition at the 
Holyoke House last week, with which he hatched suc- 
cessfully several thousand young shad by simply at- 
taching it to the faucet of a wash basin. Mr. ilather has 
made the study of this fish a specialty, and finds that by 
reducing the temperature of the water the hatching of 
the fish may be retarded for six day's beyond the usual 
time without injury to the fish. By this arrangement 
there will apparently be no difficulty in transporting 
them to Europe. Should the season continue a few days 
longer a second shipment may be made, in which case 
the plan of Mr. M. will be adopted. The success in 
spawning this season has been good, but not so large a 
number have been taken as in former years. This is 
accounted for in part by the low state of the water. Mr. 
Mather is on his way to Louisiana with about five thou- 
sand shad. Other gentlemen of the commission are con- 
stantly engaged in moving the fish as fast as they are 
hatched to waters in different paits of the country, 
where it is thought they will thrive. The work of the 
commission is thoroughly and judiciously done, and if 
it meets with success such as it merits, the whole coun. 
trv will be repaid for the outlay. 
The fly fishing for shad has not been as successful as 
last year, but many have been taken from the bridge and 
the boats below. Low water has been given as the rea- 
son of so few fish. We think, however, that the tons 
of chloride of lime and other poisons have something to 
do with it. With higher water they are in a more dUute 
form. 
