Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-11-01

FIELD SPORTS.

October has opened upon us with a ylori
Gus sun, aud mild exhilirating temp.ra
lure which the autumn of no other land can
| surpaSs "A summer al consuming heat and
desolatins drought (ihe mere memory o.
which enhances the sweets Of present exis.
'ence) is succeeded by delicious autumn
ana along with IL (ibe Consequence of tb,
continued drought) an Unprecedented album.
dance Of that species OF game, which gives
variety TO the delights Of tins charming sea
son Of the year. Birds have seldom, been So
numerous IN middle Virginia and hsppy is
he, who, ia'i ing good dog and good gun
has relish TOR shooting and leisure and on.
por;unIly 10 enjoy this fascinating and lie alth-
full recreation.
| The occasion invites few observations
upon shooting in general, gathered from
some little experience, much converse ", e
experienced srortsmen, and some reading.
| a good dog and a good gun ore objects of
primary Importance, and absolutely essen.
tial to the full enjoymen, Of this charmin
diversion with dog without II good
nose, or sell willed, int-aciable and uns teady
no really good sport Can be had. The legit. .
innate pleasures are marred and converted
Ir'o unspeakable vexations The sportsman
becomes exhausted with fatigue in his effort,
10 control his dog, and loses his temper and
ms patience, and almost vows never 10 take
gun IN hand again, when he finds all his of
iof's unavailinS.-Coveys are run over, or
sprung without a stand, and this ever will
be the case with bad nose, bad stock. or
one not well broke.
we incline 10 the belief that thorough
bred dogs are scarcer in Virginia now ,bsn
they were some years past; and most of
| nose oil genuine blood have, by neglect.
been permitted TO deteriurate-s,ifiicien al.
'enlion has not been given to the breeding
OF them. In many instances where IN.
STOCK was originally good, they have, TO use
Sporlsman's phrase been ''bIed in and in !"
until they become absolutely worthless.
II being true Of dogs as of their lords, as as
serted by Don Juan;
marrying, in and in, cousins aunt, and niece,
Always spoil' the breed If il increases
The pointer as found in England. is the
best dog for birds. Ii should have no blood
OF the setter, II being found by experience
'na' inc "amixture OF the two, IN ninety
nine cases out OF bundled, produces dog
| ~hich inherits the vices Of both wilbou, he
| virtues OF either. He is generally headstrong
anu ungovernable, and exceedingly di(fi,mii
to break and what is worse, il is necesssrv
10 break HIM diresh at The opening oi eyerv
season. The improved English Doinier i
me produce OF the Spanish pointer and The
old English blood hound or talbot. The
poih'er which has most OF The blood of the
,alet IS said TO be the best But as the ta,
| Dol Is now we'll nigh extinct, a cross ON The
ueep Ae"ed hound is said TO produce the
neA' oest pointer. We have never heard
OF any Efforts thus 10 improve the stock in
this country. We rely upon England for
our supply. We send for a pair. the strain
oi whca, by the process mentioned above.
IN Inc lapse OF few years degenera,es a,
| no'her rs sent ior--we emitting altogether
| 10 practice the maxim, sound in reference
70 dogs sto politics, OF freguen. recurrence
TO fundamental principles
pointer of good nose has broad. cana.
cIous-not thick, chubby head-lhe head
oeing The seat of the oItac!ory nerves. II is
moi requisite that the nose should be large
ii The skin and lips are loose.
we have never seen a good setter-W,
believe the genuine English setter is NOT 70
De found IN this country-it is rare even in
England The union of The pointer and set
ier' as before remarked, generally makes
lhe worst OF dogs-and il is in this by brid
form That we have generally seen the setter.
we have never heard VIDA, character of
aogs The cross OF The pointer and Jew found
lahd would make. The latter is the most
saSacious OF the canine species, and his olfsc
tory powers are exceeded by uone. II his
=
tbe agility oftho pointer, we should have all
me essentials o! good dog.
Mex! i6 importance 10 the dog is the oun
ihere are various species of barrels in use
'he best OF which are the twisted stub. wire
twisted and Damascus barrels The first.
made OF old horse shoe nails twisted ,opeth,
ef, are SAID by English sportsmen 10 be The
Safest and The best. The Damascus. now.
ever, are In greater repuie here most peo. |
PIE we presume being influenced by the same
consideralIon we are, their greater beauty. =
thomas Tyrer, Esq'r, GuUsmiih, &c. sc. |
mah-oireet, Can furnish every variety and
sun every taste, as any one can see by look |
ing INTO his advertisements or his siore.-A
oaffel bve eIghts OF an inch in diameter, and |
from 70 TO 30 inches in length, is HE best
adapted for birds Many experiments have
oeen made 10 ascertain the best Iene th for |
lowing piece. the result of hicb has proved
.nat the length above gwen is the best. -
ne Old notion shat The longer the barrel The !
iarlher and stronger the shot W III be thrown. |
mas been wholly exploded; and on philosc-
phical principles tested by experience. il is |
shown, that a barrel two feet two inches |
VIII shoot fully as strong, if moi stronger
than any other.
mere is no more comparison between The |
percussion and flint, than between the latter
and the old match locks, whether on the |
score Of expense Che former requiring at
'eas' third less powdsr) quickness, force
ana certainly. percussion gun with wa.
'ef.proof copper caps, is proof against all !
weather, and, if The lock md powder be good, |!
never snaps.
Inc dog and gun, and all necessary tack
ing provided, The sportsman takes the field |
I"o hours ny The Sun on a fine bracing NOR
nih2 I'D Oclober. The Enolish scasnn O.