

FOREST AND STREAM. 
279 
Sooo 

Instinct iy A Youna Pornter.—In a late number of 
Land and Water the following appeared: 
Srr: A correspondent of Forest AND STREAM makes 
the above the subject of a long letter to that journal, and 
the incident detailed by him is certainly worth recording. 
A pointer pup, only four anda half months old, and be- 
longing to the writer, was taken out by him in company 
with another dog, a staunch old animal of the same breed, 
to try for some quail. The idea being to associate the 
youngster as early as possible with his game, he was per- 
mitted, after having seen the old dog make two or three 
points, to approach the covey at which the latter had be- 
come cataleptic, and the admirable manner in which the 
young idea on this, his first introduction to game, behaved, 
is certainly a justification for the enthusiastic description of 
the event furnished by his master. He says when he got as 
close to the birds as prudence would allow, he stopped, 
but the pup trotted on quite unconcernedly, when all at 
once he stopped, and slightly crouched, with his right fore- 
foot raised, “it goes down again, and now forarush into 
the covey! No, heraises his left hind foot, which is in- 
stantly put down again, and the first position resumed, 
when he settles down to as steady a point as any bird-hun- 
ter wishes to see. <A perfect picture—immovable, but 
quivering with excitement. All this was done without a 
single ‘heed’ even” The puppy also stood to three 
more single birds during the evening, and the owner says 
that he never goes out without him. This circumstance is 
certainly a wonderful example of instinct, and although 
young highly-bred pointers and _ setters occasionally 
point game without previous training, I have never 
known or heard of them doing so at such a very early age; 
in fact, tome, a sober, steady-going English sportsman, who, 
however, have seen the performances of many first-class 
ones, the story seems almost incredible, and I should like to 
have the experienee of some of your readers on the sub. 
ject.—CocxksHor. 
We have written to our valued correspondent in regard 
to the facts, and have received from him every assurance of 
their reliability. ; 
A sad accident occurred at Currituck last week, where 
Capt. George Gelston, Alfred Lockwood, Mr. Wade, late of 
Grinnell, Minturn & Co., Mr. Carringtou, and others, were 
engaged in duck shooting, the gunner happening to blow 
off the top of his gunner’s head by accident. The gunner 
was concealed in the long sedge-grass, and Mr. Carrington 
mistook his movements for a flock just rising. A coroner’s 
inquest acquitted Mr. ©. of evil intent. 
<= _____. 
HOW THEY TRAIN SHEEP DOGS IN CAL- 
IFORNIA. 

C. E. Babb, in one of his letters from California, tells of 
what an old shepherd told him about the way they train the 
famous shepherd dogs insouthern California. He says you 
may go over the plains and hills there for miles and see 
thonsands of sheep, but nota manto watch them. Around 
each flock or band of saya thousand sheep are half a dozen 
dogs of a peculiar breed—dogs whose progenitors were im- 
ported from the sheep pastures of the old world. These 
dogs take the entire care of the sheep, drive them out to 
pasture in the morning, keep them from straying during 
the day, and bring them home at night. These dogs 
have inherited a talent for keeping sheep, but the shep- 
herds do not depend wholly on that. They cultivate it in 
this -vay—so at least the old shepherd says: ‘‘Whena 
lamb is born it is taken away from the mother sheep before 
she has seen it, and a puppy put in its place. The sheep 
suckles the puppy and learns to love it. When the puppy 
grows old enough to eat meat it is fed in the morning and 
sent out with the sheep. It stays with them because it is 
accustomed to be with its mother, but it cannot feed 
with them. Asthey get full the dog gets hungry. At 
length, impatient to return where it hopes to get another 
piece of meat, it begins to tease and worry its mother, and 
finally starts her toward home; the other sheep follow, and 
thus the whole flock is brought in. If the dog brings the 
sheep home too soon, or comes home without them, he gets 
no supper or is punished in some other way.: Hence he 
soon learns when to come, and to see that none of his 
charge are left behind. These animals are trained by 
taking advantage of their instincts and appetites.” 
Che Gorse and the Course. 
See ue ee 
E2The meeting of the Board of Appeals of the National As 
sociation for the Promotion of the interests of the American 
Trotting Turf was begun yesterday at the Everett House in 
this city. The meeting attracted a large attendance. The 
_ old dockett consists of five cases, andthe new one of thirty- 
four. 
—— oe 
GENTLEMEN RIDERS WHO CAN’T RIDE. 
pee eee 
KNOW many who dress inthe brightest of scarlet 
and best of buckskin smalls, who never saw a fox 
killed by hounds in their lives. There are hundreds of 
clever hunters completely spoiled by bad riders, who have 
neither hands to handle them nor seats to sit on them. But 
it is not policy on the part of the dealers to have lawsuits 
with gentlemen, for there is an unjust,prejudice against 
horse dealers in general, although those who are ‘licensed 
dealers’ are as honest in their business transactions as any 
other class of tradesmen, and I have known many of them 
to take back horses and return the money to purchasers 
when the horse has been absolutely spoiled in mouth, tem- 
per, and condition, sooner than have a dispute or law-suit. 
‘A friend of mine, who is a large breeder, sold a horse 
as a clever fencer to a gentleman a short time ago. He re- 
turned him in the course of afew days, stating that he 
could not make him jump. I rode and subjected him to a 
trial a few days after, and can conscientiously aflirm that a 
sweeter jumper never carried me over a fence, and I have 
ridden as many horses as most men. I know the gentle- 
man who sent him back must have had 1 either hands nor 
seat, for as I pulled him gently together, and felt his beau- 
tiful mouth, with the single snaffle bridle, he answered to 
the easy appeal of my hands and bowed his smart intelli- 
gent head, as much as to say, ‘I’m at your service, sir,” 
and walked (as only a temperate, well broken horse can 
walk) quietly, with a long steady, business-like stride; and 

“et 
as the trial ground is interspersed with every description of 
fence, after having satisfactorily tested his walking quali- 
ties, I gave him his head, and as the splendid creature 
bounded over the springing turf toward the first brushwood 
fence, there was no rushing or turning his head to the right 
or left for a bolt, as he seemed to say by his actions 
‘Give me my head, and sit me steady,’ and ‘forward is my 
motto.’ Yes; my beauty! thought I, you shall have your 
head, for how can you jump unless you have it? Still Pll 
keep a steady supporting feel on your mouth. Now for it 
—one of your ears is pointed forward, and now the other, 
in rapid succession; the rein tightens. Steady, boy! Hie 
over, my fawn! There! Why I never felt you drop, for it 
is the strength and elasticity of your pasterns which enable 
you to bound from the turf again. 
‘“‘And now we come to these swamps, the sod-banks, 
and stone walls. There, my boy, that is it; measure your 
ground, and go a little nearer this time before you take off, 
because the leaps are higher. Hie over again, my charmer! 
bang go your heels against the other side of the stiff sod bank, 
with a sound like the thud of a cannon ball when it strikes 
an earthwork as you drop your fore-feet neatly and firmly 
on the turf; a second after and your hind shoes kiss the 
grouad, and at the same instant your fore-legs are stretched 
out for the first of a series of delightful bounds over this 
wide sweeping meadow, after which you shall charge that 
stone wall which lies right in your front. Here it is my 
boy; a trifle higher than the sod bank; but you have meas- 
ured it by your, eyes—I can tell by the working of your 
beautiful ears. Hooroo! Oh, how J like you! Now for 
the water jump at the bottom of this gentle slope. Whew? 
you bird on the wing! I never felt you fly over this, but 
I can feel you galloping as strong as a castle under me. I 
glance my eye down your fore-arm, as you bend your 
well formed neck and head, which playfully answers to 
the gentle supporting feel of my hands, and I can preceive 
the prominent muscles of your fore-arm stand out, and you 
are neither blowing nor sweating: your eye is as bright as 
a diamond, and your coat shines like a mirror, your con- 
dition is perfect, and it is a pleasure to ride you, because I 
know that I am not distressing you. But here we are at 
this side of the stiff blackthorn bullfinch, higher than your- 
self, with not a ray of daylight to be seen through it. Your 
ears play and your head nods, and again I know that you 
will top it. ‘Yoi-over!’ I say as you leave the ground, and 
suspend me and yourself—with your four legs clapped 
under your belly—in mid-air for an instant, and drop: them, 
feet downward, with a regular flop on the other side: but 
the superiority of your condition, the strength of bone and 
muscle, and the dash of pure blood which courses through 
your prominent veins, stands to youin this your time of 
need, for the stiff dirt is rent to atoms and flies about in all 
directions, as you gallop through the long ploughed field to 
the most difficult jump in the lot, a double post and rail. 
‘Can you do it? Yes; I feel your body working under 
me; you are preparing for business, I know; but remember 
it is double, and I must give you a r.minder—a sharp clip 
with the inside of the legs, but no rowel; a slight shake of 
the reins, just to let you know that a little extra energy is 
required—and will you answer to these signals? Yes, hie, 
over, my jewel! we are safe in our piaces on the other side; 
a rolling seat would make any hands unsteady, anda job 
of the spur at the same intant would have soured your tem- 
per, and totally destroyed the cordial feeling between us, 
which has enabled us to surmount every obstacle; for the 
rolling, unsteady seat is sure to be allied to a pair of heavy, 
harassing hands, and frequent misapplications of the spur 
would spoil even you, who are as good a jumper as ever 
stood on iron. 
‘These were my thoughts as I rode and dismounted this 
noble creature, which the gentleman had sent back to the 
breeder because, he said, that he could not, or would not 
jump, the simple reason being that he had neither nerve 
nor skill to manage him. 
‘**A fine mannered horse, isn’t he?’ said my friend, as 
the lad led him back to his box, without a twisted hair on 
his shining skin. 
‘“ “Very, indeed,’ I replied; ‘but deep-levered bits and 
tight curbs, handled by inexperienced riders, will spoil any 
horse in the world.” And in this case it was fortunate the 
gentleman returned the horse so soon after sale, for a few 
more days’ mawling him about would have completely 
ruined him, and he would have been returned without a 
shilling of compensation. However, a little quiet handling 
brought him back to his old form.” 


Che Hlagazines. 
MAN’S ABILITY TO MODERATE CLI- 
MATE. 
ee 
LTHOUGH extended observation and systematic ar- 
rangement of natural phenomena have of late years 
supplied the data for great advance in meteorologicai sci- 
ence, the measure of man’s ability to moderate climate, 
and to what extent such modifications will influence the 
mental, moral, and physical condition of their originator, 
will perhaps forever remain questions for further investiga- 
tion and continued dispute. Nevertheless,-there now re- 
mains little doubt but that man may, and does, in a great 
degree, mould the apparently natural surroundings of his 
home. He is the great disturber of natural laws; for, al- 
though the individual haman may bear as_ small a propor- 
tion to the ends attained as the microscopic polyp to the 
coral formations of the ocean, yet, Aas many generations of 
these countless little beings have built up such monuments, 
so have the oft-succeeding generations of man gradually 
wrought changes upon the face of Nature, proportionately 
marked and important. Unfortunately, the preponderance 
of influence exerted by him has had the effect of destroy- 
ing in a measure the pristine balance of physical nature; 
for he has found it in this case more profitable and less la- 
borious to tear down than to rebuild her essential monu- 
ments. 
Thus, no great difficulty is encountered in changing a 
moist atmosphere to one of less humidity—the clearing of 
forests and draining of lands effect this, under certain con- 
ditions—and an acknowledged advantage is immediately 
derived; but when.the other extreme is approached, far 
greater obstacles are encountered in checking the ebbing 
flow of Nature’s current, and restoring the balance, while 
the benefits accruing therefrom are long deferred. 
Vast areas of the earth’s surface have been’ stripped of 
the natural forest clothing through the medium of the axe 
and fire-brand in the isis of man, who, thus removing a 

most potent element in the problems of evaporation and 
Ptecipitation, has caused great irregularity in the rainfall 
of these districts, resulting in alternate drought and flood, 
and the formation of arid deserts or denuded wastes of the 
primitive rock, Our earth is not becoming ameliorated 
and better fitted for the habitation of the human race, ex- 
cept in so far as that race directly undertakes works of im- 
provement with a view to such amelioration. The more 
direct wants of man are supplied by the most direct tax 
upon Nature; and, unless therebe some compensation and 
systematic effort made to restore her disturbed harmonies, 
there is a constant balance of dram upon her resources and 
increased disturbance of her laws.— Overland Monthly. 
—THE PRAYER oF AGAsstz.—Professor Agassiz at the 
opening of the Anderson School of Natural History, after 
a few mocest words, felicitously suited to put all their 
minds into fellowship, said tenderly and with touching 
@Pankness, “I think we have need of help. I do not feel 
that I can call on any one here to aska blessing for us. I 
know I would not have anybody pray for us at this mo- 
ment. [ask you fora moment to pray for yourselves.” 
Upon this the great scientist—in an age in which so many 
other great scientists have concluded that praying is quite 
an uscientific and very useless proceeding—bowed his head 
reverently; his pupils and friends did the same; there in 
silence that was very beautiful, each spirit was free to crave 
of the Great Spirit the blessing that was needed. For our 
own part, it seems to us tha: this scene of Agassiz and his 
pupils with head bowed in silent prayer for the blessing of 
the God of Nature to be given to that school then opened 
for the study of Nature, is a spectacle for some great artist 
to spread out worthily wpon canvas, and to be kept alive in 
the memory of mankind. What are coronations, rayal 
pageants, the parane of armies, to a scene like this? It 
heralds the coming of the new heavens and the new earth, -= 
the golden age when Nature and man shall be reconciled, 
and the conquests of ‘truth shall supercede the conquests 
of brute force.—Rev. Dr. Deems, in Christian Age 
—The'largest sheep raisers in North America are Armigo 
& Baca, of Alburquerque, New Mexico. Their herds range 
over 300 miles of territory, and in numbers almost beyond 
human count, exceeding half a million at least. They are 
usually divided into herds of 3,000, superintended by one 
manager and several shepherds and dogs, for whom the 
sheep manifest a great affection. 


answers Co Correspondents. 
of od L=7 x] ia ca 
eg ee 
[We shall endeavor in this department to impart and hope to receive 
such information.as may be of service to amateur and professional sports- 
men. We will cheerfully answer all reasonable questions that Sall within 
the scope of this paper, designating loculities for good hunting, fish 
ing, and trapping, and giving advice and instructions as to outfits, im 
plements, routes, distances, seasons, expenses, remedies, traits, species 
governing rules, ete. All branches of the sportsman’s eraft will receive 
attention. Anonymous communications not noticed.) 
a ag 
A Constant Reaper., Corry, Penn.—Drachms of powder are meas 
ured by Dry Meosure. 
G. N. W., St. John, N. B.—Your several favors are received and will 
receive early attention. Thanks. 
Prankus, Hudson, N. Y.—Black setters are very rare, and one of the 
worst colors to shoot over. We will ascertain for you if there are any 
for sale. 
L. M. 8. Stoystown P. O., Penn.—We cannot procure the moccasins; 
any country bootmaker will make them according to instructions in For- 
REST AND STREAM Nov. 20th. 
JosLYN, Hartford.—The best boatman in the vicinity of Enterprise, 
Florida, a year ago, was a negro called ‘“July’—possibly so named be- 
cause he was a handy fellow to have abont one in mid-winter. 
G. W. R., Brooklyn.—1. Bore, 45-100. 2. Decoys are usefu] when the 
birds are scarce and wild. A good “‘caller’’ is essential. They shoot gen- 
erally from points. 
Qumrist.—Stiff tail ducks are known as pintails, spring tails, file- 
stalks, &c. The greater black-head duck is known as the broad bill, 
scaup, etc. 
TRUE SPORTSMAN, Madison, Wis.—What great sporting writer signed 
his name Nimrod? Ans. C.J. Apperley, Esq. He died at the age of 64 
in London, England. 
Antiers, Kingston, N. Y.—Deer will eat almost everything. We have 
frequently fed them with ham, meat, sugar, gloves, newspaper, and even 
cinders, just to see what they will refuse. . 
Fox Hounp, Lexington, Ky.—The system in feeding 2 hound which we 
haye always endeavored to pursue, was to make him fit for the day and 
that day alone, and so on every day he came out. 
L. W. L., Cazenovia.—Costs $36; clobe and peep sights $5 extra; set 
trigger, $2 50 extra. This is for 30-inch barrel, $1 more perinch if longer, 
and $1 less if shorter. Extreme length, 34 in., minimum, 26; weight, 10 
a 12 lbs. 
Dr. G., Baltimore.—Cut down your gun by all means, if you require 
it for shooting over a dog. If for wild fowl shooting, let it remain as it 
is, The only seam in a shooting boot should run down the centre of the 
boot. Read ForEst AND STREAM Noy. 20th., article headed ‘‘Moccasins.”’ 
J. DEuciisur, New York.—i haye a very valuable dog. Do you know 
a remedy for canker in the ear? Ans. To cure it,if he isin fair health, 
first bleed, keep him cool and low, and inject an astringent wash, com- 
posed of six ounces of rain water and asmuch alum as will dissolve; add 
twenty grains of white vitriol, andinject with a small syringe. 
SuBscriBER, Cor. Second and Poplar streets, St. Louis.—We know of a 
brace of setter pups eight months old good strain, handsome, and the 
color orange and white. Price 50, A brace of setter dogs two years old, 
good strain and well broken on the silent system, will cost $175. If you 
require either you can write and we will give full particulars. 
CHASSEUR.—We cannot tell who makes the best breech-loader, there 
areso many. State what price you are willing to give, and we can put 
you in the way of getting a good and serviceable gun. Our agent in Lon- 
don, England, will procure them for you. An English pointer of the 
class you speak of will cost $150, including all expenses of transportation, 
board, care, etc. The setter very little less. 
PowpDER Facr.—1. Should the paper shell fit ight orloose? Answer. 
Tight of course. 2. Which is the finest grain, No. 5 or 7 of Orange 
lightning powder? Answer. No. 5. 3. What grain of Hazard powder is 
the size of Tatham’s No. 8shot? Ans. It would be impossible to tell the 
exact size of powder on account of the difference in shape. It is some- 
where between 5 and 6 grains. 4. Which is best for a paper shell, felt or 
pink-edged wad? Ans. For ordinary shooting the pink-edged wad. 
Ramon.—1. Get guides for Coulogne district, Canada, at Ottawa City 
or Annprior. 2. Charges for guide, $1. per day andfonnd. 3, Bear, 
beaver, fox, marten, otter, sable and lucifee. 4. Newhouse’s traps, made 
at Oneida, N. Y., are the best by long odds. 5. About the same all 
through the ceunties of Pontiac and Ottawa, Province of Quebec. See 
articles in this day’s ForEsT AND STREAM, on ‘Trapping’ and ‘“‘Winter 
Sports in Canada.” See also our standing rule above, respecting anon- 
mous inquiries. 

—The difference between an old hat onastick and money 
with a spendthrift is that one scares erows and the other. 
grows scarce, 
