Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1854-09-15

Hymn" one of Natures truest low
ers, who, in his youth, drank inspi-
ration from her " varied FORMS"
and, like a sweet-liped songster,"
has given us his songs, aud enrolled
his name with bards. And thus,
with Bryant, will | sing his song,
requiem-wise, for my past pleasure
and profit in drinking from those
same fountains.
But ] must recall myself to a
slight description of the game,
which is very plenty. Squirrels
and partridges are comparatively
tame. There are some bears and
catamounis IN these woods, but no
moose. A large bear was killed
near where | went a few days be-
fore | was there, and myself saw
some very large tracks on the
shores OF the Massewepa Lake -
There are many kinds of game not
usually found III the woods of YER
mont.
But what most commands the al
tention of sporlsmen is the deer,
which are still very plenty. Large
numbers are killed each year, many,
] am sorry to say, at almost dead
loss-only their hides being secur-
ed, and perhaps a small part of the
hams, which are made into jerh-ed
UeniSon have seen a dozen bod
les in the river at one place, rotting
away, when they should be running
alive in the woods But contrary
to law, and everything else that
should restrain, many hunters will
slaughter them by the wholesale,
and in the spring aud summer
when the meat is almost good for
nothing. But every man who goes
into the woods cannot shoot deer
1t requires practice, aud skill with
the rifle Some are trapped, but
it is wicked to do it because It is
cruel The greater part are killed
i'm the night time on the river. The
deer 90 into the water to drink and
to eat the large Pond) lily pods,
which they dearly love. Large lots
Of lilies are seen all along, with
their poGdless stems sticking out of
the water. The hunters 20 IN
boats, and have a jack, which is a
bright light placed on the head, or
al the bow Of the boat. The deer
will stop still and look at the light,
and by padding still, you can come
close to them. Their large eyes
glitter ia the dark, and are excel
lent marks for the hunter, who aims
a little above them, and is then
pretty sure to hit The game IS
not secured till morning. saw a
man who said he killed Seren IN
one night, short time since. Ven
son is jerked by cutting down the
hams with a knife, through the nat
ural assures j. e. the pieces come
ont usually each covered with its
natural faScia. 4 long strip IS also
taken from along the back bone,
which is the best of ALL This is
jerking, proper. But the term Is
made to lucl1de the rest of the cur
ing operation, which consists in
slightly sailing, and then placing
over a fire to dry in the hot blaze
and smoke Jerked yenisou is Zoe .
and a shilling York around about
here cheaper than beef.
fnd this country altogether
different from the most Of Vermont. /
1t is an undulating level. There .
are no mountains about, only some /
big say little) ones in the south
woods and we can just see two
peaks of the Mohegans, in some
places, by stretch Of the eye. The I
soil is lighter, and does not yield so
well as IN Vermont, large part of
it, but is easier worked. Wheat is
raised to a considerable extent.
find great many Yermoniers all /
about here also many from Maine.
Within fifteen rods from where ]
board, are four families from Mont
peler, besides Rev. Mr. lde, who .
has preached in many places in
Vermont
But my letter is getting long, for
which | ask indulgence, while
close. Truly Yours,
Il. X ID.