Oct. i 7, 1908.] 
AFTER LUNCH AT FIELD TRIALS —THE CRITICS IN ACTION. 
In the Adirondacks. 
Blue Mountain Lake, N. Y., Oct. 10.— 
Editor Forest and Stream: All have read of the 
forest fires in various parts of the country, but 
none can realize what it is to be in the forest 
at such a time save those who have had the 
experience. The entire season has been un¬ 
usual—almost rivalling Colorado for uninter¬ 
rupted sunshine. Then going into the woods 
became more of a hardship. The ground was 
hard and dry, the heat intense, leaves were 
slippery under the feet, and, except here and 
there, drinkable water was wanting. For the 
first time in over twenty-five years’ experience 
it was necessary to boil water for drinking pur¬ 
poses, and many accustomed springs and 
streams were dry. 
A few weeks ago smoke was observed—where 
did it come from? Some said Minnesota, others 
Michigan, still others said there must be a fire 
somewhere in our own forests. Day by day the 
smoke increased, and then news came of sev¬ 
eral Adirondack fires. Still little was thought 
of it. But the smoke increased, the air be¬ 
came heavy, tainted, vitiated, its vitality burned 
up, and the heat correspondingly increased. 
Even the sun was partially obscured, and ali 
nature trembled, as if awaiting a catastrophe. 
Physical depression resulted; in many cases it 
became mental. The fires were all around— 
spreading, approaching. Some hamlets were 
destroyed. This was not reassuring. The fires 
increased in number, they were coming nearer. 
Men felt their inability to cope with them. 
Non-religious men said, “We ought to pray 
for rain.” Some did it. On Sept. 28, it came; 
moderately during the afternoon—more at 
night. People smiled as they met. Some sang 
the Doxology. The fires could now be con¬ 
trolled, the air was clearer, the long strain was 
over. 
The rain came again, lasting through the 
night. In the morning the wind blew a gale, 
sweeping the fog from the lake into the woods 
in great ragged, draggling sheets, and so 
stirring up the lake that timid passengers were 
fearful about taking the morning boat. The 
day was dark, the sky overcast, a few drops 
of rain, then a few flakes of snow, and in the 
searching wind it was cold. But now the sky 
is clear, the air is pure and bracing, and as I 
sit writing by the cottage fire, I can see from 
the window the summit of Blue Mountain snow- 
clad and glistening in the rays of the setting 
sun. 
Since the deer season opened, the conditions 
have been extremely unfavorable to hunting 
until last week. Few deer have been killed. 
Henry La Prairie got a 250-pound ten-point 
buck last week. Juvenal. 
Ruffed Grouse. 
New London, Conn., Oct. 4 .—Editor Forest 
and Stream: There are two reasons given by 
sportsmen here for the shortage of ruffed grouse 
last year and this. First, last year had a very 
dry spring and summer, so that the old birds 
were obliged to fly to brooks and springs for 
water, leaving their young behind, these dying 
from thirst in consequence. Two or three 
hunters here said that all the birds they shot 
were old ones. Connecticut allows thirty-five 
or thirty-six grouse to the gun each year only. 
A lawyer in New London, a great hunter and 
fine shot, with good dogs, killed that number 
last year. He told me that out of this lot there 
were but two young birds, giving as a reason 
what I have stated above. 
Others think grouse have a disease that thins 
their number every few years. Dr. Fowler, 
who hunts at Moodus, where he has a preserve, 
and a camp in Maine also, believes the last 
statement given as correct. From a consensus 
of opinion, there are a third more birds this 
year than last. Mr. Smith, the lawyer men¬ 
tioned, was out yesterday morning and shot 
two partridge, both young birds. 
Quail have had a good season. Several 
coveys reported, one of fifteen birds, three miles 
from here. I have not been out yet, as we 
need frost to take off the thick foliage. 
W. Warren Brown. 
National Beagle Club’s Meet. 
Chase City, Va., Oct. 10. —Editor Forest and 
Stream: The approaching meet of the National 
Beagle Club of America, on Oct. 23, will be a 
notable one. The trials will be held on the 
Mecklenburg game preserves, comprising 30,- 
000 acres of land, and the best accommodations 
will be provided for all, whether members of 
the Beagle Club or not, and a large crowd is 
looked for. There will be a golf tournament 
during the week. Game is plentiful. Several 
coveys of quail have already been flushed on 
the Mecklenburg lawn, and well-trained horses 
and dogs, as well as experienced guides, are 
provided by the hotel. 
Following close on the Beagle Club meet 
will be the annual meet of the Virginia- 
Carolina Fox Hunters’ Association, W. T. 
Hughes, president, which is always an occa¬ 
sion of the greatest enjoyment, social pleasures 
being indulged in as well as stirring, enthusi¬ 
astic daily hunts. Many prizes have been sent 
in. Among them comes first the Mecklenburg 
trophy, a very handsome silver loving cup 
awarded the Mecklenburg pack last year; a 
beautiful loving cup, presented by Dr. A. H. 
Boyd, Charleston, W. Va.; a set of spurs; a 
thoroughbred Shetland pony, valued at $125, 
offered by the Mecklenburg Stock Farm; a 
beautiful pin, offered by George C. Jefferson, 
Richmond, Va., to the lady getting the brush 
after the longest chase. 
Many guests are expected. The two meets 
will bring here a large crowd, many to attend 
both meets, and a royal time for all sportsmen 
is anticipated. A. L. J. Boswell. 
October. 
The hunter with pointer and gun hies away 
To the woodland and meadow and over the hills; 
When he sums up, he’ll find at the close of each day 
A big lot of misses compared with his kills. 
A. L. L. 
