-Our esteemed contributor, Mrs. Irene Pomeroy Shields, published some lines, in another publication, unfortunately, that have remained fixed in the gray matter that I am pleased to call my brain. They are as follows: This is good advice, and I have been carrying it out in theory for many years. I also want you fellows to get a move on and make this page of mine the medium of more real, live business transactions, back and forth between friends, than any similar page published on the continent. Almost every member of RECREATION's great family has something he or she wants to sell, or knows of something he or she would like to buy. Now, that you have the privilege of transacting dealings through an absolutely honest broker, get busy! I wonder why more taxidermists do not advertise in RECREATION? Only the other day I happened to drop into Edward Von Hofe's Fishing Tackle Emporium, on Fulton street, and noticed a superb specimen of the Amber Jack. It seems this magnificent fish weighed ninety-two pounds when caught at Palm Beach, and it is believed to be the record of its species caught on the rod. But the reason I allude to it more particularly is, that the artist who can do such perfect work-for the fish seems almost alive-makes a mistake in hiding his light under a bushel. I predict that, if that man put a card in RECREATION, he would become enormously wealthy. FRANK FORD, Information Dept., Recreation, 23 West 24th Street, N. Y. VOL. XXIV. JANUARY 1906 No. 1 THE GREAT T SOUTH BAY By CAPT. WILL GRAHAM HERE is not any playground (if I may use the word ground instead of water) near New York so prolific of genuine sport and variety of enjoyment and recreation as the South Bay. Being, as it is, surrounded by land, and a harbor possible where c'er you may choose to cast an anchor, the most timid are conscious of a sense of security, and consequently the men who cater to those who love Great "A wet sheet and a flowing sail, and "A wind that follows fast," are constantly employed providing sport for the lucky ones who have the time and the needful to indulge in the glorious pastimes this inland sea affords. From Fire Island inlet to its further eastern extremity the bay varies in depth from three fathoms to wading water, and so irregular is the bottom that the uninitiated, with other than a Great South Bay craft, would have no more chance of crossing its bosom sans mishap than the proverbial "snowball, etc." Bounded on the north shore by the south side of Long Island, and on the south by that long, low raking stretch of sand dunes, on the other side of which thunders the breakers of the deeply, green Atlantic. Wild and dreary, desolate and grand, strange fertile little valleys, here and there protected from the salty spray, nestle 'mid the hills of sand, and, odd as it may seem, act as cover for partridge, quail, rabbit, and fox. Miles of meadows and little ponds, where the black duck and the teal abound and big wild geese love to rest their weary wings. A fisherman's hut, government life-saving station, a long row of little telephone poles dying away in hazy perspective. The beaten-to-death ribs of a gallant ship. That tract of white sand, dead dog fish, drift wood, and the picture is before. you. Then the air-is there such anywhere else? Sailing is so well understood, so popular and universal a sport, I won't go into any detail in this regard, but of sailing and duck shooting in the good old winter time, with a battery amidships and a stool boat in tow, we will a few words venture. "And fills the white and rustling sail "And bends the gallant mast." The manner in which this rig is carried may be of interest, and to describe the methods a sketch of a sloop with outfit for duck shooting will be |