by ,florida's ,publication of ,archival1 ,library ,museum ,materials 7,,palmm77 ,,the ,,book ,,of ,,sports3 ,,containing ,,out-,,door ,,sports1 ,,amusements ,,and ,,recreations1 ,,including ,,gymnastics1 ,,gardening ,,carpentering1 ,for ,boys and ,girls4 ,,by ,,william ,,martin1 ,,author ,,of ,,fireside ,,philosophy1 ,,the ,,parlour ,,book1 ,,intellectual ,,calculator1 ,,etc4 ,,etc4 ,,etc4 ,,second ,,edition4 ,,london3 ,,darton ,,and ,,co41 ,,holborn ,,hill4 ,m4,,dccc4,,lii4 ,j4 ,,wertheimer ,,and ,,co41 ,,printers1 ,,finsbury ,,circus4 ,illustration ,,contents4 ,,preface vii ,i4 ,,games ,,with ,,marbles4 ,ring ,taw #i ,lag ,out or ,knock ,out #aj ,three ,holes #ab ,arches #ac ,bonce-,eye #ac ,sun and ,planet ,taw #ae ,pyramid #ai ,,ii4 ,,games ,,for ,,cold ,,weather4 ,prisoners' ,base #ba ,stag ,out #bb ,warning #bc ,mouse in the ,corner #bc ,king of the ,castle #bd ,hippas #bd ,thread the ,needle #bd ,touch #be ,bowls #bf ,quoits #bg ,why and ,because #bg ,bombardment of a ,snow ,castle #bi ,bandy ,ball or ,golf #ca ,foot ,ball #cb ,trussing #cb ,follow my ,leader #cc ,blindman's ,buff #cc ,tip-,cat #cd ,jingling #ce ,french and ,english #cf ,,iii4 ,,dangerous ,,games4 ,heap the ,bushel #cg ,drawing the ,oven #cg ,hop-,scotch #ch ,basting the ,bear #ch ,buck1 ,buck #ch ,,iv4 ,,gymnastics4 #ci ,walking #dd ,running #de ,leaping #df ,climbing #di ,rope ,ladder #ej ,slant ,board #ej ,vaulting #ej ,balancing #ea ,v4 ,,cricket4 #ee ,laws of the ,game of ,double ,wicket #ei ,the ,bowler #fa ,the ,striker #fb ,the ,wicket-,keeper #fd ,laws for ,single ,wicket #fe ,bets #fg ,,vi4 ,,swimming4 #fi ,preliminary ,exercises in ,swimming #gh ,bernardi's ,system #hc ,,vii4 ,,gardening4 #hi ,how to keep a ,garden all the year round1 with directions for each month #aje ,,viii4 ,,carpentering4 #aae ,uses of the various ,tools3--,plane1 ,chisel ,gimlet1 ,mallet1 ,hammer1 ,files and ,nails4 #aaf ,stuff and ,labour #aba ,,ix4 ,,keeping ,,poultry4 #abc ,nature and ,situation of ,fowl-,house #abd ,the ,various ,breeds of ,fowl #abf ,choice of ,stock #abh ,food and ,feeding #abh ,laying #abi ,preservation of ,eggs #abi ,hatching ,chickens #acj ,x4 ,,bees4 #aca ,queen ,bee4--,drone4--,construction of ,nests4--,how to get a ,stock of ,bees4--,hiving #acd ,,preface4 ,the prime object of this book is to induce and to teach boys and girls to spend their hours out of school in such a manner1 as to gain innocent enjoyment while they promote their own health and bodily strength4 ,the ,author has never lost sight of this object1 considering it to be what properly belongs to a ,book of ,sports4 ,he has1 however1 in many instances1 had in view1 in a subordinate degree1 the intellectual improvement of his young readers4 ,he hopes that several of the games1 now described in print for the first time1 will be found1 if not royal roads1 at least delightful ones1 to the knowledge of many scientific facts4 ,there seems to be no good reason why the utile 7considered intellectually as well as bodily7 should not find its place in the sports of young people1 if it be so skilfully combined with the dulce as not to convert pleasure into toil4 ,to those who assent to what has been stated1 the introduction of a chapter on gardening will need no apology4 ,,part ,i4 ,,games ,,with ,,marbles4 ,one of the best games with marbles is ,,ring ,,taw4 ,illustration ,this is played in the following manner3--,a circle should be drawn about four feet in diameter1 and an inner circle of about six inches being also marked out in its centre1 into this each boy puts a marble4 ,now then1 boys1 knuckle down at the offing1 which is in any part of the outer circle4 ,now1 whoever shoots a marble out of the ring is entitled to go on again3 so mind your shots2 a good shot may clear the ring4 ,after the first shot1 the players do not shoot from the offing1 but from the place where the marble stops after it has been shot from the knuckle4 ,every marble struck out of the ring belongs to the party who hits it2 but if the taw remains in the inner ring1 either after it has struck a marble or not1 the player is out1 and must put in all the marbles he has won4 ,if one player strike another player's taw1 the player to whom the taw belongs is out2 and he must give up all the marbles he has won to the player whose taw struck his4 ,,lag ,,out ,,or ,,knock ,,out4 ,this game is played by throwing a marble against the wall1 which rebounds to a distance4 ,others then follow2 and the boy whose marble strikes against any of the others is the winner4 ,some boys play the game in a random manner2 but the boy who plays with skill judges nicely of the law of forces1 that is1 he calculates exactly the force of the rebound1 and the direction of it4 ,the first law of motion is1 that everything preserves a state of rest1 or of uniform rectilineal 7that is1 straight1 motion71 unless affected by some moving force4 ,second law4--,every change of motion is always proportioned to the degree of the moving force by which it is produced1 and it is made in the line of direction in which that force is impressed4 ,third law4--,action and reaction are always equal and contrary1 or the mutual action of two bodies upon each other are always equal and directed to contrary parts4 ,to illustrate the first of these laws1--a marble will never move from the ground of itself1 and once put in motion1 it will preserve that motion until some other power operates upon it in a contrary direction4 ,with regard to playing ,lag ,out so as to win1 you must further understand the principle of reflected motion4 ,if you throw your marble in a straight line against the wall1 you find that it comes back to you nearly in a straight line again4 ,if you throw it ever so slightly on one side1 or obliquely1 it will fly off obliquely on the opposite side4 ,if you throw the marble from the point ,c to the point ,b1 it will fly off in the direction of the point ,a1 and if a marble lay there it would hit it2 but if you threw it from the point ,d1 you would stand no chance4 ,,wall ,b _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ _/ ,c ,d ,a ,in science1 the angle ,c1 ,b1 ,d1 is called the angle of incidence1 and ,d1 ,b1 ,a1 is called the angle of reflection4 ,,three ,,holes4 ,illustration ,three ,holes is not a bad game4 ,to play it1 you must make three small holes about four feet apart3 then the first shot tries to shoot a marble into the first hole4 ,if he gets in1 he goes from that to the second1 and then to the third hole1 after which he returns1 and having passed up and down three times1 he thus wins the game4 ,if he cannot get in the first hole1 the second player tries2 and when he stops short at a hole1 the third1 and so on4 ,after any player has shot his marble into a hole1 he may fire at any adversary's marble to drive him away1 and1 if he hits him1 he has a right to shoot again1 either for the hole or any other player4 ,the game is won by the player who gets first into the last hole and works his way back again to the first1 when he takes all his adversaries' marbles4 ,,arches4 ,illustration ,to play arches1 the players must be provided with a board of the following shape1 with arches cut therein2 each arch being a little more than the diameter of a marble1 and each space between the arches the same4 ---------------------------------------- ------- #h #f #e #c #a #b #d #g #i - - - - - - - - - -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ,the boy to whom the bridge belongs receives a marble from each boy who shoots1 and gives to each the number of marbles over the arches should they pass through them4 ,,bonce-,,eye4 ,bonce-,eye is played by each player putting down a marble within a small ring1 and dropping from the eye another marble upon them so as to drive them out1 those driven out being the property of the ,boncer4 ,the law of falling bodies may be well illustrated by this game4 ,it is one of the laws of motion1 that the velocities of falling bodies are in proportion to the space passed over2 and the space passed over in each instant increases in arithmetical progression1 or as the numbers #a1 #c1 #e1 #g1 #i4 ,a _/ _/#a _/,b _/ #c _/#cc _/,c _/ #e #e _/#ee #e _/,d _/ #g #g #g _/#gg #g #g _/,e ,by the annexed diagram it will be seen1 that if a marble fall from the hand at ,a1 when it reaches ,b it has only the quantity of velocity or force expressed in the angle #a2 but when it passes to ,c1 it has the quantity expressed in the three angles #c2 when it passes to ,d1 it has the quantity expressed in the angle #e2 when it passes to ,e1 it has the quantity expressed by the seven angles marked #g4 ,thus we may understand why a tall boy has a better chance at ,bonce-,eye than a short one4 ,it is found by experiment1 that a body falling from a height moves at the rate of #af-a_/ab feet in the first second2 and acquires a velocity of twice that1 or #cb-a_/f feet1 in a second4 ,at the end of the next second1 it will have fallen #fd-a_/c feet2 the space being as the square of the time4 ,the square of #b is #d2 and #d times #af-a_/ab is #fd-a_/c2 by the same rule1 it will be found1 that in the third second it will fall #add-c_/d feet2 in the fourth second1 #beg-a_/c2 and so on4 ,this is to be understood1 however1 as referring to bodies falling where there is no air4 ,the air has a considerable effect in diminishing their velocity of descent4 ,,sun ,,and ,,the ,,planet ,,taw4 ,illustration ,this is an entirely new game1 and consists of the ,sun in the centre1 which may be represented by a bullet1 because the sun is the most ponderous body of the system1 and will in this game be required to move slowly4 ,the planets moving round him1 with their satellites1 ,i represent by marbles4 ,now1 each boy must take the place of a planet2 and having taken it1 he is required to put down as many marbles as there are satellites belonging to it4 ,the boy who plays ,mercury1 puts down only one for his planet2 the boy who plays ,venus does the same2 he who plays the ,earth1 has to put down one for the ,earth1 and one for the ,moon1 its satellite2 the boy who plays ,mars puts down ,mars and the four satellites that lie between the orbits of ,mars and ,jupiter2 the boy who plays ,saturn puts down one for the planet1 and draws a ring round it1 outside of which he puts the seven satellites in any position he chooses2 the boy who plays the planet ,herschel1 puts down one for the planet1 and six for the satellites4 ,each boy1 having taken his place in this manner1 lays down his taw on any part of the orbit of his planet he pleases1 being the point from which he must make his first shot4 ,the rules of the game are very easy2 but it is necessary to be perfectly acquainted with them1 as it saves much trouble1 and prevents disputes2 and no one ought to play till he understands them tolerably well4 #a4 ,the players must each put his marble into a hat1 and turn down the hat over the sun2 then1 as the marbles fall near or far from the sun1 the planets are taken4 #b4 ,the player who puts in ,mercury has the first shot4 #c4 ,no planet can be taken till the ,sun has been struck beyond the orbit of ,mercury4 #d4 ,the player who strikes the ,sun beyond the orbit of ,mercury1 receives from the person who holds the orbit1 as many marbles as there are planets or satellites in the orbit in which it stops4 #e4 ,the orbits are1--for ,mercury1 all the space between the ,sun and him2 for ,venus1 the space between ,venus and ,mercury2 for the ,earth1 the space between the ,earth and ,venus2 for ,mars1 the space between ,mars and the ,earth2 for ,jupiter1 the space between ,jupiter and ,mars2 for ,saturn1 the space between ,saturn and ,jupiter2 for ,herschel1 the space between ,herschel and ,saturn4 #f4 ,if a player succeeds in knocking the ,sun on the line of his own orbit1 he receives one from every shooter so long as it remains there4 #g4 ,if the ,sun is knocked against a planet1 the player doing so has to pay two to the owner of the planet4 #h4 ,if the ,sun be struck within the orbit of a planet1 the player striking it receives one if for ,herschel1 two for ,saturn1 three for ,jupiter1 four for ,mars1 five for the earth1 six for ,venus1 and seven for ,mercury4 #i4 ,the player who succeeds in knocking the ,sun beyond the orbit of ,herschel1 wins the game2 that is1 he receives one from each player1 and all the marbles on the stake in the inner circle4 ,,motions ,,of ,,the ,,planets ,,and ,,their ,,satellites4 #aj4 ,when a planet is knocked out of the outer ring 7the orbit of ,herschel71 it belongs to him who strikes it out3 the loser must replace it by putting a marble down in its original place4 #aa4 ,when a planet is struck within the orbit of any other planet1 the player striking it there has to pay him to whom the orbit belongs1 as many marbles as there are satellites4 #ab4 ,should a player's taw1 after it has struck another taw1 a planet1 or a satellite1 fall into its own orbit1 he has to put one in the inner ring as stakes for the winner of the game4 #ac4 ,if a player gets his taw within the inner ring1 it must remain there for the winner1 and he cannot play any more4 #ad4 ,if a player has all his satellites taken1 he then becomes a ,comet1 and can shoot from any part of any of the orbits every time the ,sun is struck4 #ae4 ,no player can shoot at his own planet or satellite4 #af4 ,any player who strikes a planet or satellite within ,saturn's ring1 forfeits three to the inner circle4 ,if he strikes the ,sun1 then he may take up ,saturn and all his satellites remaining within his orbit4 #ag4 ,after the first shot1 every player must shoot from the place at which his taw rests4 99 99 99 99 99 ,such are the laws of ,sun and ,planet ,taw1 and it will be found that in playing the game1 some degree of thought is requisite1 and a little calculation respecting the moves4 ,it may be judicious for a good shooter to keep the ,sun within the orbits as long as possible2 or till such time as the inner ring gets fat with the forfeitures1 or he may drive him from orbit to orbit where the forfeitures are large4 ,he will endeavour to place him on the line of his own orbit4 ,he may also strive to place his adversaries' taws within the inner ring1 and to be careful in striking planets that they fall into the orbits where the forfeitures are small4 ,by thus thinking of what he is about and exercising forethought and prudence1 he will soon become expert1 and by paying attention to the game he will make it his own4 ,,pyramid4 ,to play ,pyramid1 a small circle of about two feet in diameter should be made on the ground1 in the centre of which is a pyramid formed by several marbles1--nine being placed as the base1 then a layer of four1 and one on the top2 and the ,pyramid keeper asks his playmates to shoot4 ,each player gives the keeper one for leave to shoot at the ,pyramid1 and all that he can strike out of the circle belong to him4 ,,part ,,ii4 ,,games ,,for ,,cold ,,weather4 ,illustration ,one of the best of these is called ,,prisoners' ,,base4 ,to play this1 there must be a number of boys1 not less than eight or ten1 and as many more as can be got together4 ,to commence it1 two semicircles are drawn against a wall or hedge at the opposite sides of the playground4 ,these are called the ,,bounds4 ,two other spaces are then marked out a little away from these to the right or to the left4 ,these places are called the ,,prisons4 ,the game is commenced by a player from one side running out midway between the bounds or prisons1 a player from the other side immediately following to capture him2 one from the other side follows after the second to capture him1 and so on1 both parties sending out as many as they think fit4 ,the object of each player is to intercept and touch any player of the opposite side who has left his bounds before him1 but he is not at liberty to touch any that have started after him2 it being their privilege1 if they can1 to touch him before he gets back to his own bounds4 ,a player must touch only one person each time he leaves bounds1 and cannot be touched by another after he has taken a prisoner4 ,every player who is touched1 must go to the prison belonging to his adversaries1 where he must remain until one of his own side can touch him2 and prisoners can neither touch nor be touched in their return to their own bounds again4 ,the game is won by that side which has taken all the other party prisoners4 ,,stag ,,out4 ,in this game1 one boy personates the ,stag1 and with his hands closed together1 starts from his bounds after the other players4 ,when he succeeds in touching one who is called the ,ass1 the first who gets to him rides him back to the bounds4 ,the two then go out in the same manner1 then three1 and so on1 till the whole are caught4 ,,warning4 ,this game is something similar to another very good game called ,warning1 which may be played by any number of players4 ,one begins the game in the same manner as in ,stag ,out1 repeating the following words1--,warning once1 warning twice1 warning thrice--,a bushel of wheat1 and a bushel of rye1 when the cock crows1 out jump ,i--,cock a doodle doo4 ,he then runs out and touches the first he can overtake1 who returns to bounds with him4 ,the two then join hands and sally forth1 and touch a third1 who joins hands with the other two3 again they sally hand-in-hand1 the two outside ones touching as many as they can4 ,immediately a player is touched1 they must break hands and run back to the bounds4 ,if any of the out-players can catch any of those who held hands1 they may ride them back to their bounds4 ,when three are touched1 he who first begins the game has the privilege of joining the out-players1 whose object is always to break the line4 ,,mouse ,,in ,,the ,,corner4 ,in this game1 one of the players takes the part of ,puss1 and places himself in the centre1 and the others playing take up their positions in the four corners of the playground4 ,each of the players calls out1 ,puss1 puss1 puss1 pretty puss1--how do you do pussy1 and endeavour to pass from corner to corner4 ,the players are at liberty to change corners in all directions1 and if ,puss can touch one when he is away from his corner1 the one so touched1 after giving ,puss a ride round the ground1 becomes ,puss1 or if ,puss can take a vacant corner1 the player without a corner must do the same1--give ,puss a ride round and become ,puss4 ,,king ,,of ,,the ,,castle4 ,this is not a bad game4 ,one player1 called ,king of the ,castle1 places himself on a little rising mound2 the other players endeavour to push or pull him from his elevation1 and whoever succeeds in this1 takes his place4 ,,hippas4 ,illustration ,this game is something like the preceding1 only that one boy mounts on the back of another1 who is called his ,horse1 another boy does the same1 and the two mounted boys endeavour to pull each other from the saddle4 ,this play is harmless when a soft piece of turf is chosen1 but dangerous on the stones or hard ground4 ,,thread ,,the ,,needle4 ,this is a good game1--any number of boys may play it4 ,it is begun by joining hands2 and the two outside players at each end commence the game by the following dialogue3-- ,how many miles to ,babylon8 ,three score and ten4 ,can ,i get there by candle-light8 ,yes1 and back again4 ,then open the gates without more ado1 ,and let the king and his men go through4 ,the player who stands at the opposite end of the line1 now elevates his hand1 joined in that of the player next him1 to form the needle's eye1 and the other outside player approaches running1 and the whole line follow him through1 if possible1 without breaking4 ,this is continued1 each end holding up their hands successively1 till the players are tired of the sport4 ,,touch4 ,this is a game of speed4 ,one volunteers to be ,touch1 and he pursues the other players till he comes up with one of them and touches him2 unless the player so touched can say1 ,i touch iron1 or1 ,i touch wood1 before he is touched1 he becomes ,touch1 and must give the player who touched him a ride home4 ,a player is liable to be touched only when running from one piece of wood or iron to another4 ,there is another and a better game of ,touch1 called ,cross ,touch1 which is played thus3--,one volunteers to be ,touch1 and sallies forth from his bounds4 ,while he is pursuing one of the players1 a third player runs between him and the player pursued1 and touch must then follow the one who crosses till another crosses them1 and so on1 till at length the whole playground will become a scene of activity and sport4 ,,bowls4 ,i will play at ,bowls with the sun and moon4--,byron4 ,he who plays ,bowls must expect rubbers4--,bowles4 ,this is one of the best of games for hot or cold weather1 for it is excellent exercise1 and requires skill and judgment4 ,few requisites are required for it1 but a level lawn1 or tolerably level field1 is indispensable1 as are the bowls1 the ,jack1 and the players4 ,in playing bowls1 partners may be chosen1 if there are many players1 or the game may be played by two persons4 ,when1 however1 there are three or four of a side1 there is more interest attached to the game4 ,the best player of my time was the good old schoolmaster1 ,mr4 ,fenn1 from whom ,i obtained all the particulars concerning ,bowls4 ,the bowls used at this game are of wood1 loaded with lead1 or biassed1 as it is called1 namely1 there is one side thicker than the other1 which is marked1 and this may be held either near or away from the thumb as it may be required to lay the ball4 ,no writer in a book can teach this1 as it depends upon the nature of the ground1 and the situation of the balls already bowled4 ,before commencing the game1 the first player leads out a small white ball1 called a ,jack2 he then lays his own balls as near to it as possible2 the players then follow in succession1 but no partners follow each other till the whole balls are delivered1 and those who obtain the nearest points to the ,jack score one for each ball4 ,the number making the game is arbitrary1 but eleven is generally fixed upon4 ,of course it would be more were there a great number of bowlers4 ,the sport of the game consists in driving your opponent's ball from the ,jack1 and putting your own near it4 ,when one side scores eleven before their opponents get five1 it is called a lurch4 ,the players at ,bowls change the ,jack from one side of the green to the other after the whole of each side have bowled once4 ,,quoits4 ,quoit me down1 ,bardolph4--,shakspeare4 ,the game of ,quoits resembles ,bowls4 ,it is played with flat rings of iron of various weights4 ,at a certain number of paces apart 7to be agreed upon71 two circular pins of iron are driven into the ground4 ,the players beginning the game stand at one of these pins1 called the ,hob1 and pitch the quoits to the other1 each person having two4 ,when all the quoits are cast from one ,hob1 the players walk to the other and pitch to the first1 and so on in succession4 ,those who get nearest to the ,hob1 are1 of course1 nearest to the game1 and each pair of quoits counts two1--each single quoit1 one2 but if a quoit belonging to ,a lies nearest to the ,hob1 and a quoit belonging to ,b the second1 ,a can claim but one towards the game1 although all his other quoits may be nearer to the ,hob than all those of ,b1 as the quoit of ,b is said1 technically1 to have cut them out4 ,,why ,,and ,,because4 ,illustration ,this is also a new game1 and one of those that combine amusement and instruction4 ,to play it1 a king must be chosen1 who is called ,king of the ,shy1 who sets up a brick on its end and puts a stone upon it1 as a mark for the players to bowl their stones at1 which they do successively4 ,when a player has bowled1 if he knocks the stone off the brick1 he may take up his own stone and run back to his bounds1 if he can do so before the king sets his brick and stone up again2 but if the ,king can touch the player after having set his brick up1 he is obliged to answer a ,why1 or be ,king instead of him4 ,the ,why must be proposed by the ,king1 and it may either be a conundrum1 or it may contain the reason of any thing1 as1 ,why does a stone fall to the ground8 ,what makes the smoke go up the chimney8 ,if the player cannot answer the ,why1 he is obliged to mind the shy and let the others bowl4 ,sometimes it will happen1 that of all the boys who have bowled at the shy1 not one has thrown it down2 the ,king then looks sharply at each one who tries to take up his stone1 to touch him4 ,it generally happens1 that whilst the ,king is pursuing one1 who has taken up his stone1 to touch him1 all the rest take to their stones1 and make off home4 ,but it should have been said1 that by the place from which they bowl1 a string is stretched for a leap1 over which a player running from the ,king is obliged to jump before he is considered home4 7,some good ,conundrum ,questions for this game will be found in the ,book of ,sports1 on ,in-,door ,amusements47 ,,bombardment ,,of ,a ,,snow ,,castle4 ,there is no game like this for promoting warmth and exercising the ingenuity4 ,to play this1 a ,snow ,castle1 ,tower1 and ,fort must be constructed1 and a ,bombardment got up4 ,when the snow is on the ground1 let a party go into a meadow and divide themselves into two companies1 and appoint a general to each4 ,each company then takes up its respective position1 and proceeds to build a fort and castle1 for defence1 on each side2 the dexterity with which the work is performed1 and the celerity with which it is accomplished1 being much in favour of those who play4 ,during the building of the castle1 some must be employed as sharp-shooters1 who must annoy the builders on each side with snow balls1 and some must be employed in making a store of snow balls for the magazine4 ,when the castle is commenced1 the first thing to be done is1 for several of the builders to make a roll of snow about eighteen inches in length1 and as thick as his arm1 and to roll this on the snow1 which will attach itself to it till it forms a large ball as high as the builders's shoulders4 ,this must be turned over on its flat side1 and as many more as can be arranged in the following manner1 for a fort 7supposing the other side to be erecting a castle74 ,the foundation thus being laid1 other balls not quite so large must be rolled up and laid on the former1 so as to make the rampart about four feet high4 ,behind this1 a single line of snow balls must be placed1 about one foot in height1 on which the attacking party may mount to discharge their balls to the castle opposite4 ,on elevated parts of the forts1 long sticks with pocket-handkerchiefs1 as flags1 must be raised1 and in the centre1 a larger flag should be placed1 and it must be the object of the opposite party to demolish them with their balls4 ,when a player wishes to throw a ball1 he mounts upon one of the inner partings of snow1 discharges his shot1 and jumps down behind the parapet for more shot4 ,the party on the opposite side may build their castle as they please2 but each party should watch each other's movements1 and build their different places of defence or annoyance in such a manner as to defend themselves and annoy the enemy in the most effective manner4 ,it may be observed1 that the fort must be so constructed with reference to the castle1 that it is brought to bear on every point of it4 ,the two ends are towers1 which should be a foot higher than the ramparts1 and should be made by three snow balls laid one upon the other1--the last one being turreted1 with room for one boy to mount to the top1 if necessary1 to discharge his shots4 ,the highest place of all1 is the keep1 and should be at least six feet high1 with room and steps behind for two boys to mount4 ,convenient places should be left behind1 where the ammunition should be piled up4 ,when the fort or castle is built1 each party uses its best efforts for the demolition of the other1 but no one is allowed to make use of his hands in the demolition of either castle or fort2 battering-rams may alone be employed4 ,in ancient times1 battering-rams were large beams1 hooped and shod with iron2 but the moderns do things better1 and the way in which it may be done is as follows3--,a boy who volunteers to be battering-ram has his legs tied and then two other boys take him up1 and1 swinging him by the arms and legs1 force his feet against the walls of the castle or fort to batter it down1 the opposite party pouring on them1 all the while1 snow balls heated to a white heat from the ramparts above4 ,parties also may go out from one side to the other1 as in playing ,hippas1 mounted1 and may meet in the open space and endeavour to pull each other from their horses4 ,if a player on either side can break over the fort and capture one of the flags without being touched1 he may bring it off and place it on his own ramparts as a trophy1 and the party from whom the flag is captured must not replace it2 but if in this act he is touched1 he becomes a prisoner1 and must make snow-balls for his adversaries4 ,every one who is thrown down1 either from his horse or by any other means1 is considered a dead man1 and can do nothing but make snow-balls for the opposite party4 ,when the flags are all struck on either side by being shot away1 or when the men are all taken prisoners or slain1 or when the ramparts are demolished1 the victors may sing1 ,old ,rose and burn the ,bellows4 ,,bandy ,,ball ,,or ,,golf4 ,this game is played with a bat and a small ball2 and the game consists in driving the ball into certain holes made in the ground4 ,sometimes these holes from first to last1 are at the distance of half a mile or even more from each other4 ,there are many intervening holes4 ,those who drive the ball into the greatest number of holes1 of course win the game2 but the ball must never be driven beyond a hole without first going into it4 ,if the ball passes in the way beyond a hole1 the player is out4 ,,foot ,,ball4 ,foot ,ball is a very simple game4 ,a large soft ball is procured 7which is now made of ,gutta ,percha71 and the players having assembled and taken sides1 a line is drawn across the playground1 and the play commences4 ,the object of the play is1 for each party to kick the ball across the goal of the other1 and to prevent it from passing their own4 ,the party into whose bounds the ball is kicked1 loses the game4 ,,trussing4 ,this is an excellent game4 ,in some places it is called ,cock ,fighting4 ,to play it1 two players must be matched against each other1 and one is sometimes called ,black ,cock1 and the other ,white ,cock4 ,they are seated on a carpet1 or1 what is better1 the floor of the play-room1 and undergo the operation of trussing4 ,this is performed as follows3--,the hands are first tied with a handkerchief at the wrists4 ,the ancles are tied in the same manner4 ,the ,cock then has his hands brought to his instep1 while his knees pass between his arms1 and a short stick is thrust in under the knees and over the joints of the elbow1 and secured in this situation4 ,the fight now begins by each ,cock advancing towards his enemy1 and when they come close to each other1 each endeavours1 by inserting his toes under the other's feet1 to capsize him and throw him over on the side2 and whoever does this1 is entitled to crow1 and is winner of the game4 ,there is often a good deal of fun in this game1 and the players can rarely hurt each other4 ,,follow ,,my ,,leader4 ,illustration ,follow my ,leader is a very good game2 and when the ,leader is a droll boy1 causes much fun and laughter4 ,the leader starts off at a moderate pace1 and all the other boys1 in a line1 one after the other1 follow him4 ,they are not only bound to follow him1 but do exactly what he does4 ,if he hops on one leg1 or crawls on the ground1 or coughs1 or sneezes1 or jumps1 or rolls1 or laughs1 all must do the same4 ,if any boy fail to follow his ,leader1 he is called the ,ass1 and must be ridden by the boy next him4 ,sometimes the ,leader will leap a ditch1 climb a tree1 or run into a river4 ,but boys should be careful of very mad pranks in this sport4 ,,blindman',s ,,buff4 ,in this game1 a person is blindfolded1 and endeavours to catch any one of the players1 who1 if caught1 is blindfolded and takes his place4 ,there is another ,game something resembling it1 called ,,shadow ,,buff4 ,a piece of white linen is thrown over a line across the room2 between this screen and close to the wall on one side1 a candle is placed1 and on the other side1 ,buffy is obliged to stand1 while the players moving between the candle and linen show their shadows through it1 and ,buffy has to distinguish each person by his shadow4 ,when he does this1 the player so found out becomes ,buffy and takes his place4 ,,tip-,,cat4 ,for this game a piece of wood must be procured about six inches in length and two inches thick1 of the following shape3-- ,illustration that is1 of a double curve4 ,it will be seen by the shape of this1 that it will fly up as easily as a ball when it is laid in the trap1 for the striker has only to tap one end of it1 and up it flies1 making many a summerset as it rises2 while it is performing this turn-over motion1 which philosophers call the rotatory1 the striker makes a blow at it and sends it whither he pleases4 ,the proper way to play the game1 is as follows3--,a large ring is made on the ground1 in the middle of which the striker takes his station2 he then tips the ,cat and endeavours to strike it out of the ring2 if he fail in this1 he is out1 and another player takes his place4 ,if he strike the ,cat out of the ring1 he judges with his eye the distance the ,cat is driven from the centre of the ring1 and calls for a number1 at pleasure1 to be scored towards the game4 ,the place is now measured by the stick with which the ,cat is struck1 and if the number called be found to exceed the same number of lengths of the cudgel1 he is out1 but if it does not1 he obtains his call4 ,another method of playing1 is to make four1 six1 or eight holes in the ground in a circular direction1 at equal distances from each other1 and at every hole is placed a player with his cudgel4 ,one of the party who stands in the field1 tosses the ,cat to the batsman who is nearest to him1 and every time the ,cat is struck1 the players must change their situations and run over from one hole to another in succession4 ,if the ,cat be driven to any great distance1 they continue to run in the same order1 and claim a score towards their game every time they quit one hole and run to another4 ,but if the ,cat be stopped by their opponents1 and thrown across between any two of the holes before the player who has quitted one of them can reach the other1 he is out4 ,,jingling4 ,this game is common to the ,west of ,england1 and is called a ,jingling ,match4 ,it is played by a number of players being blindfolded within a ring formed for the game1 and one or two others1 termed the ,jinglers1 not blindfolded1 with a bell fastened to their elbow1 also enter the ring4 ,the blinded players have to catch the ,jingler1 who moves about rapidly from place to place4 ,he who catches the ,jingler wins the game2 but if after a certain time1 agreed upon previously by the players1 the ,jingler is not caught1 he is declared the victor4 ,,french ,,and ,,english4 ,french and ,english is another good game4 ,a rope being provided1 two players stand out1 and after having cleeped for first choice1 select the partners4 ,after an equal number has been selected for each side1 one party attaches itself to one end of the rope1 and the other party lays hold of the other3 a line is then made on the ground1 and each party endeavours to pull the other over this line4 ,the party succeeding in this1 wins the game4 ,,part ,,iii4 ,,dangerous ,,games4 ,and now that we have given a description of some good games1 it may be as well to warn our readers of some bad or foolish ones1 which are either calculated to spoil their clothes1 make them very dirty1 or are dangerous to their limbs4 ,,heap ,,the ,,bushel4 ,this is a very dangerous game1 if it can be called a game4 ,should one boy happen to fall1 it is the practice of other boys to fall upon him and to ,heap the ,bushel1 as it is called1 all the other boys leaping on the one already down4 ,it sometimes happens1 that those underneath are seriously injured2 and the sport is seldom engaged in without quarrelling among the players1 and sometimes it leads to a fight4 ,,drawing ,,the ,,oven4 ,this is another dangerous game4 ,it consists of several players being seated on the ground in a line1 clasped by each other round the waist3 when all are thus united1 two others take the foremost one1 and endeavour by pulling and tugging to break him off from the rest4 ,thus the united strength of several boys before1 and as many behind1 is made to act upon the one in front1 and an arm may be dislocated by a sudden jerk1 not to say anything about a broken neck4 ,,hop-,,scotch4 ,this is a silly game4 ,it is calculated to wear out the shoes4 ,,basting ,,the ,,bear4 ,this is another silly game4 ,a boy1 who is called the ,bear1 kneels down on the ground in a ring marked out1 to let the other boys beat him with their twisted or knotted handkerchiefs4 ,the master of the ,bear1 who holds him by the rope1 endeavours to touch one of the assailants2 if he succeeds in doing this1 without pulling the ,bear out of his circle1 or letting go the rope1 the player touched becomes ,bear in his turn4 ,but it is calculated to spoil the clothes of the ,bear1 and sometimes1 should he kneel on a sharp stone1 may do him much injury4 ,,buck1 ,,buck4 ,buck1 ,buck1 how many horns do ,i hold up8 is also a stupid game4 ,it neither requires speed1 nor agility1 nor wit4 ,the game is played by one boy resting his head against a wall and making a back1 upon which the other jumps1 who1 when seated1 holds up as many of his fingers as he pleases1 and cries1 ,buck1 ,buck1 how many horns do ,i hold up8 ,the player who is leaped upon1 now makes a guess2 if he guesses correctly1 it is his turn to leap1 if not1 the leaper leaps again4 ,but there is little good in all this1 and it ought not to be encouraged4 ,,part ,,iv4 ,,gymnastics4 ,all boys1 and girls too1 ought to train themselves to habits of agility1 and nothing is more calculated to do this than ,gymnastics1 which may be rendered a source of health and amusement4 ,in all playgrounds1 a piece of ground should be laid out2 and there should be erected thereon1 a couple of posts1 about twenty feet apart1 and sixteen feet high1 which should support a plank1 about a foot wide1 and six inches thick2 on the underside of this might be affixed a hook1 from which a triangle might be swung1--this is capable of being used in a variety of ways4 ,two more hooks1 about a foot apart1 might be used for two ropes1 so that the more advanced pupils could climb to the top by means of grasping a rope in each hand1 and without the assistance of the feet4 ,a pole may rise from the ground to the cross piece about midway3 the pupils will be able to climb up this without the assistance of the feet4 ,a wood ladder and rope ladder may occasionally be fastened to the beam1 but may1 when necessary1 be taken down4 ,a board about a foot broad may also be set up against the beam1 inclining four feet from the perpendicular3 the climber will grasp the sides with his hands1 and placing his feet almost flat against the board1 will proceed to the top3 this is an advanced exercise4 ,another board may be set up which should be three feet broad1 at least1 and should slant more than the other3 the pupil will run up this to the top of the beam easily1 and down again4 ,the middle of this1 up to the top1 should be perforated with holes about four inches apart1 in which a peg may be placed3 this may be in the first hole to begin with4 ,the pupil will run up and bring this down1 and then run up and put it in the second1 and so on1 till he has arrived at the top3 then two or more pegs may be used1 and it may be varied in many ways4 ,a pole1 twenty-five or thirty feet high should be erected1 rather thin towards the top3 at distant intervals of this1 three or four pegs1 as resting places1 should be fastened2 another pole1 thicker1 from about sixteen to twenty feet high1 should be erected2 on the top of which should be placed four projecting hooks turning on a pivot3 to these hooks four ropes should be attached1 reaching to within two feet from the ground4 ,this is called the ,flying ,course1 from an individual taking hold of the peg at the end of each rope4 ,one person may cross a rope under the one in possession of another1 and by pulling round hard1 make the other fly over his head4 ,care should be taken to make the hooks at the top quite secure1 for otherwise many dangerous accidents might ensue4 ,a cross pole might also be set up1 but most of the exercises for which this is used1 may be performed by the triangle4 ,on the parallel bars1 several beneficial exercises may be done1 and also on the bridge4 ,this is a pole thick at one end1 thin at the other1 and supported at three or four feet from the ground by a post at one end and another in the middle1 so that the thin end vibrates with the least touch4 ,this1 it will be evident1 is an exercise for the organ of equilibrium1 and exercises the muscles of the calf1 of the neck1 and anterior part of the neck1 and those of the back1 very gently4 ,on this bridge a sort of combat may be instituted1--two persons meeting each other1 giving and parrying strokes with the open hands4 ,the string for leaping is also another very pleasing exercise4 ,it is supported by a couple of pegs on two posts fastened in the ground4 ,the string may be heightened and lowered at pleasure1--it may be raised as high as the leaper's head when a leaping-pole is used4 ,besides these arrangements1 a trench about a foot and a half deep should be dug1 and widening gradually from one foot to seven1 for the purpose of exercising the long leap either with or without the aid of the pole4 ,such are the general arrangements of a gymnasium1 but before the youth enters upon regular exercises1 he may commence with a few preliminary ones4 ,,first ,,course4 ,,exercise #a4 ,the pupil should hold out his hand at arm's length1 until he can hold it out no longer1 and repeat it until he has power in the muscles1 to continue it1 without fatigue1 for a considerable length of time4 #b4 ,stand on one foot till he is tired1 and repeat this for a similar period4 #c4 ,hold out both arms parallel with his chin1 letting the thumbs and fingers touch each other4 #d4 ,hold the hands behind the back in a similar manner1 the arms being stretched as far backward as possible1 and hold the hands high4 ,illustration #e4 ,hold up the right foot by the right hand1 extending the leg and arm by degrees4 #f4 ,hold up the left foot in the same manner4 #g4 ,stand with the knees bent1 and exercise them towards the ground1 until he can kneel on both knees at once without supporting himself as he drops4 #h4 ,raise himself from this position without the aid of his hands1 by springing back on his toes4 #i4 ,endeavour to touch both his toes1 with the back straight1 the legs close together1 and the head down4 #aj4 ,take a piece of wood1 three inches broad1 and twenty long1 that will not bend1 and hold it across the back1 the three first fingers touching the wood4 ,illustration #aa4 ,endeavour to sit1 but not touch the ground1 nor let any part of his body touch his heels1 with his arms stretched out in a line with his chin4 #ab4 ,stand with his arms and legs extended1 so as to form the letter ,x4 ,,second ,,course4 ,let the pupil3-- #ac4 ,lie down on his back1 and raise his body from an horizontal to a vertical position1 without any assistance from the hands or elbows4 #ad4 ,draw up the legs close to the posterior part of the thighs1 and rise without other assistance4 ,illustration #ae4 ,extend himself on his back again1 and walk backwards with the palms of his hands and his feet4 #af4 ,sustain the weight of the whole body upon the palms and the toes1 the face being towards the ground4 ,illustration #ag4 ,lie on his back1 and take hold of each foot in his hands1 and throw himself on his face by rolling over4 #ah4 ,lie with the face down1 and take hold of his toes while in that position4 ,illustration #ai4 ,with his chest downwards1 drag his body along by walking only with his hands4 #bj4 ,place himself on his back1 and endeavour to advance by means of the propulsion of the feet4 #ba4 ,place his body on his hands and feet1 with the breast upwards1 and endeavour to bring the lips to the ground4 #bb4 ,lean on the breast and palms of the hands1 and throw the legs over towards the back of the head4 #bc4 ,stretch himself on the back1 and extending the hands beyond the head1 at the utmost stretch1 touch the ground1 and1 if possible1 bring up a piece of money1 previously to be placed there4 #bd4 ,in the same manner1 endeavour to seize a ball by the toes at full length4 ,,walking4 ,these preliminary exercises having been practised1 the young pupil will commence a course of more advanced exercises1 such as walking1 running1 leaping1 balancing1 vaulting1 and climbing4 ,walking is common to all1 but few persons have a good walk1 and nothing exhibits the person to so much disadvantage as a slovenly bad gait4 ,it is true1 that the walk of a person will indicate much of his character4 ,nervous people walk hurriedly1 sometimes quick1 sometimes slow1 with a tripping and sometimes a running step2 phlegmatic people have a heavy1 solid1 and loitering step2 the sanguine man walks rapidly1 treads somewhat briskly and firmly2 while the melancholic wanders1 and seems almost unconscious of touching the ground which he seems to slide over4 ,but the qualities of the mind itself manifest themselves in the gait4 ,the man of high moral principle and virtuous integrity1 walks with a very different step to the low sensualist1 or the cunning and unprincipled knave2 therefore the young pupil will be sure that even the art of walking1 which seems to be an exertion purely physical1 will not be acquired properly if his mind has taken a vicious and unprincipled bias3 it will either indicate his pride or his dastardly humility1 his haughty self-sufficiency1 or his mean truckling to the opinion of others1 his honest independence1 or his cringing servility4 ,but he who has been blessed with the full use of his muscular powers1 in proportion as he is virtuous1 will1 with a very little attention1 indicate by his bearing1 step1 and carriage1 the nobility of his mind4 ,in walking1 the arms should move freely by the side--they act like the fly-wheel of an engine1 to equalise the motion of the body1 and to balance it4 ,one hand in the breeches pocket1 or both1 indicates the sot1 and has a very bad appearance4 ,the head should be upright1 without1 however1 any particular call being made upon the muscles of the neck to support it in that position1 so that it may move freely in all directions4 ,the body should be upright1 and the shoulders thrown moderately backwards1 displaying a graceful fall4 ,when the foot reaches the ground1 it should support the body1 not on the toe or heel1 but on the ball of the foot4 ,this manner of walking should be practised daily1 sometimes in a slow1 sometimes in a moderate walk1 and sometimes in a quick pace1 until each is performed with elegance and ease4 ,,running4 ,in running1 as the swiftness of the motion steadies the body in its course1 without the aid of the oscillations of the arms1 they are naturally drawn up towards the sides1 and1 bent at the elbows1 form a right angle4 ,their motion is almost suspended in very swift running4 ,in moderate running1 a gentle oscillation is observed1 increasing in proportion as the body approaches to the walking pace4 ,the knees are now more bent1--the same part of the foot does not touch the ground1 the body being carried forward more by the toes4 ,the degree of velocity is acquired in proportion to the length and quickness of the steps4 ,the person should therefore endeavour to ascertain whether long or short steps suit his muscular powers best2 generally speaking a moderately short step1 quickly repeated1 accelerates motion most4 ,in learning to run1 the pupil should first endeavour to improve his breath by degrees3 he must try his speed first in short distances1 to be gradually increased3 the distance will vary according to the age and strength of the runner4 ,the first exercises in running should commence at a gentle trot over a distance of a hundred and fifty yards1 at the rate of about six feet to a second3 this should be varied up to eight feet in a second1 for the first three or four days1 and the distance increased from one hundred and fifty to two hundred and fifty yards4 ,on following days1 the distance may be increased to five hundred yards1 and afterwards gradually1 until a mile can be performed in ten minutes1 which is tolerably good running4 ,afterwards1 six miles may be tried in an hour1 which will be easily accomplished4 ,as regards rapid running1 from one hundred feet to one hundred yards may be attempted at full speed1 and when the constitution is good1 the body not too fat1 the muscular developments fine1 and the lungs sound1 a quarter of a mile a minute may be accomplished1 and a mile in five minutes1 which is seldom done even in very good running4 ,ten miles an hour1 which is the average speed of the mail1 may1 however1 be easily performed with judicious and proper training4 ,,leaping4 ,in leaping1 that with the run1 is the most common and the most useful4 ,the object of the run is to impart to the nerves of the body a certain quantity of motion which may carry it onwards after the propelling power has ceased to act when the body leaves the ground4 ,the run need not exceed twelve or fifteen paces3 in this the steps are small and rapid4 ,when the body leaves the ground1 the legs are drawn up1 one foot generally a little more than the other2 and a great thing to be avoided1 is coming to the ground on the heels4 ,when springing1 the height of the leap must be calculated1 the breath held1 the body pressed forward1 and the fall should be upon the toes and the ball of the foot1 although in an extended leap this is impossible4 ,leaping must1 like running1 be practised gradually2 in the high leap1 a person may easily accomplish the height of his own body1 and should practise with the bar1 which may be made of two upright posts bored1 through which ropes should be placed according to the height required for the leap3 on these should be hung a string with weights attached to each end to keep it straight4 ,should the leaper touch it with his feet as he takes his leap1 it will be thrown off the pegs1 thus showing that he did not make a clean leap4 ,the deep leap may be acquired from the top of a bank into a hollow1 and is useful in leaping from the top of a house or wall in a moment of danger4 ,it may be practised from a flight of steps1 ascending a step at a time to increase the height1 till the limbs can bear the shocks1 to break which1 the body must be kept in a bent position1 so that its gravity has to pass through many angles4 ,the leaper should always take advantage of any rivulet that has one bank higher than the other1 to practise himself4 ,in the long leap1 a person ought to be able to clear with a run1 three times the length of his body4 ,illustration ,the high leap1 the deep leap1 and the long leap1 may be all practised with the pole4 ,for the high leap1 the pole should be taken with the right hand1 about the height of the head1 and with the left hand1 about the height of the hips2 when put to the ground1 the leaper should spring with the right foot1 and pass by the left of the pole1 and swing round as he alights1 so as to face the place he leaped from4 ,in the deep leap1 the pole being placed the depth you have to leap1 the body should be lowered forward1 and then1 the feet being cast off1 swing round the pole in the descent4 ,the long leap1 with the pole1 is performed much in the same manner4 ,illustration ,,climbing4 ,illustration ,in climbing the rope1 the hands are to be moved one above the other alternately2 the feet should be crossed1 and the rope held firmly by their pressure3 sometimes the rope may be made to pass along the right thigh just above the knee1 and wind round the thigh under the knee4 ,in climbing the upright pole1 the feet1 legs1 knees1 and hands touch the pole4 ,taking a high grasp of the pole1 the climber raises himself by bending his body1 drawing up and holding fast by the legs1 and so on alternately4 ,,the ,,rope ,,ladder4 ,the climber must keep the body stretched out1 and upright1 so as to prevent the steps1 which are loose1 from being bent forward4 ,the oblique rope must be climbed with the back turned towards the ground1 the legs crossed and thrown over1 so that the rope passes under the calf1 and thus he must work himself up by raising his hands one above the other alternately4 ,the exercises on the ladder are3--#a4 ,to ascend and descend rapidly4 #b4 ,to ascend and descend with one hand4 #c4 ,without using the hand4 #d4 ,passing another person on the ladder1 or swinging to the back to let another pass4 ,,the ,,slant ,,board4 ,illustration ,this should be seized with both hands1 the feet being placed in the middle4 ,the board should be considerably aslant when first attempted1 and gradually brought towards the perpendicular4 ,,vaulting4 ,this exercise may be practised on that part of the balancing bar between the posts4 ,it may be performed with or without running3 it should1 however1 be commenced with a short run4 ,the height should be1 to commence1 about the pit of the stomach1 which should be increased to the height of the individual4 ,,balancing4 ,there are two kinds of balancing to which we shall allude2 namely1 the balancing of other bodies1 and the balancing of our own4 ,all feats of balancing depend upon the centre of gravity being uniformly preserved in one position4 ,the centre of gravity is that point1 about which all the other parts exactly balance each other4 ,if a body be freely suspended upon this point1 it will rest with security1 and as long as this point is supported1 it will never fall1 while in every other position it will endeavour to descend to the lowest place at which it can arrive4 ,if a perpendicular line were drawn from the centre of gravity of a body to the centre of the earth1 such a line would be termed the line of direction1 along which every body supported endeavours to fall4 ,if this line fall within the base of a body1 such a body will be sure to stand4 ,illustration ,when the line of direction is thrown beyond its centre1 unless the base be enlarged to counterbalance it1 the person or body will fall4 ,a person in stooping to look over a deep hole1 will bend his trunk forward2 the line of direction being altered1 he must extend his base to compensate for it1 which he does by putting his foot a step forward4 ,a porter stoops forward to prevent his burthen from throwing the line of direction out of the base behind1 and a girl does the same thing in carrying a pail of water1 by stretching out her opposite arm1 for the weight of the pail throws the centre of gravity on one side1 and the stretching out of the opposite arm brings it back again1 and thus the two are balanced4 ,the art of balancing1 therefore1 simply consists in dexterously altering the centre of gravity upon every new position of the body1 so as constantly to preserve the line of direction within the base4 ,rope-dancers effect this by means of a long pole1 held across the rope2 and when the balancing-rail is mounted1 it will be found necessary to hold out both the arms for the same purpose2 nay1 even when we slip or stumble with one foot1 we in a moment extend the opposite arm1 making the same use of it as the dancer does of his pole4 ,illustration ,a balancer finds that a body to be balanced1 is the best for his purpose if it have a loaded head1 and a slender or pointed base1 for although the higher the weight is placed above the point of support1 the more readily will the line of direction be thrown beyond the base1 yet he can more easily restore it by the motion of his hand1--narrowly watching with his eyes its deviations4 ,now the same watchfulness must be displayed by the gymnastic balancer3 he first uses the balancing pole1--he then mounts the balancing bar without it4 ,on mounting the bar1 the body should be held erect1 and the hands must be extended4 ,he must then learn to walk firmly and steadily along the bar1 so as to be able to turn round1 and then he should practise going backwards4 ,two balancers should then endeavour to pass each other on the bar2 afterwards1 to carry each other1 and bodies of various weights1 in various positions4 ,walking on stilts is connected with balancing4 ,a person can walk with greater security upon high than on low stilts4 ,in some parts of ,france1 the peasantry1 in looking after their sheep1 walk generally on stilts1 and it only requires practise to make this as easy as common walking4 ,some few years ago1 several of these stilt-walkers were to be seen in ,london1 and they could run1 jump1 stoop1 and walk with ease and security1 their legs seeming quite as natural to them as those of the ,stork4 ,,part ,v4 ,,cricket4 ,illustration ,cricket is the king of games4 ,every boy in ,england should learn it4 ,the young prince of ,wales is learning it1 and will some day be the prince of cricket-players1 as ,i trust he will some day1 a long while hence1 however1 let us hope1 be king of merry ,england4 ,i shall1 therefore1 be very particular concerning this noble game4 ,it is played by a bat and ball1 and consists of double and single wicket4 ,the wicket was formerly two straight thin batons1 called stumps1 twenty-two inches high1 which were fixed in the ground perpendicularly1 six inches apart1 and over the top of both was laid a small round piece of wood1 called the bail1 but so placed as to fall off readily if the stumps were touched by the ball4 ,of late years the wicket consists of three stumps and two bails2 the middle stump is added to prevent the ball from passing through the wicket without beating it down2 the external stumps are now seven inches apart1 and all of them three feet two inches high4 ,single wicket requires five players on each side1 and double wicket eleven2 but the number in both instances may be varied at the pleasure of the two parties4 ,at single wicket the striker with his bat is the protector of the wicket2 the opponent party stands in the field to catch or stop the ball2 and the bowler1 who is one of them1 takes his place by the side of a small baton or stump1 set up for that purpose1 twenty-two yards from the wicket1 and thence delivers the ball with the intention of beating it down4 ,it is now usual to set up two stumps with a bail across1 which the batsman1 when he runs1 must beat off before he returns home4 ,if the bowler prove successful1 the batsman retires from the play and another of his party succeeds2 if1 on the contrary1 the ball is struck by the bat1 and driven into the field beyond the reach of those who stand out to stop it1 the striker runs to the stump at the bowler's station1 which he touches with his bat1 and then returns to his wicket4 ,if this be performed before the ball is thrown back1 it is called a run1 and a notch or score is made upon the tally towards the game2 if1 on the contrary1 the ball be thrown up and the wicket beaten down by the opponent party before the striker is home or can ground his bat within three feet ten inches of the wicket 7at which distance a mark is made in the ground1 called the popping crease71 he is declared to be out1 and the run is not reckoned4 ,he is also out if he strike the ball into the air and it is caught by any of his antagonists before it reaches the ground1 and retained long enough to be thrown up again4 ,when double wicket is played1 two batsmen go in at the same time1--one at each wicket3 there are also two bowlers1 who usually bowl four balls in succession alternately4 ,the batsmen are said to be in as long as they remain at their wickets1 and their party is called the in-party2 on the contrary1 those who stand in the field with the bowlers1 are called the out-party4 ,both parties have two innings1 and the side that obtains the most runs in the double contest1 claims the victory4 ,these are the general outlines of this noble pastime1 but there are many particular rules and regulations by which it is governed1 and these rules are subject to frequent variations4 ,,single ,,wicket4 ,single wicket may be played with any number of players1 and is better than double wicket for any number of players under seven4 ,at double wicket1 a small number of players would get so fatigued with running after the ball1 that when it came to the last player's turn1 he would find himself too tired1 without resting a while4 ,the first innings in single wicket must be determined by chance4 ,the bowler should pitch the wickets1 and the striker measure the distance for the bowling-stump4 ,measure a distance of the length of the bat1 and then one of the striker's feet1 from the middle stump in a direction towards the bowling stump3 there make a mark1 which is the same as the popping-crease1 and this will show when you are on the ground2 place your bat upright on the mark at the place where the measure came to1 and ask the bowler whether your bat is before the middle of your wicket2 here make a mark on the ground1 which is generally called the blocking-hole4 ,the bowler now begins to bowl1 and the striker should endeavour to hit any ball which comes within his compass1 or if the ball given be not favourable for that purpose1 he may block it2 but in blocking he must be careful never to let the tip of the bat come before the handle1 as the ball in such a case will probably rise in the air towards the bowler1 and he will be caught out4 ,in running1 the striker must touch the bowling-stump with his bat or person1 or it is no run1 and he may be put out if he do no put his bat or some part of his person on his ground before the ball touches his wicket4 ,with three players1 the bowler and striker will be the same as when two are at play2 the second player will be fieldsman1 who1 when the ball be hit nearer to him than to the bowler1 will pick it up1 or catch it if he can1 and return it to the bowler4 ,if the striker should attempt to run1 the bowler should immediately run to the wicket1 and the fieldsman should throw the ball to him1 so that he may catch it1 and touch the wicket with it to get the striker out4 ,when the first striker is out1 the fieldsman will take his place1 the striker will bowl1 and the bowler will take the field4 ,when four players are engaged1 the fourth should stand behind the wicket2 and when five or more play1 the additional players should take the field4 ,the rule in such a case is simply1 that as soon as a striker is out he becomes bowler1 then he becomes wicket-keeper1 and then he takes his place in the field on the left of the bowler1 and afterwards the other places in regular progression1 until it is his turn to have a new innings4 ,,laws ,,of ,,the ,,game ,,of ,,double ,,wicket4 ,law1 is law1 said ,evergreen2 laws must be rigidly obeyed1 and1 therefore1 ,i will read the articles of war for your edification4 ,the first article of war is said to be1 ',that it shall be death to stop a cannon-ball with your head4' ,cricketers must be cautious also how they stop cricket-balls with this part of the body3 but ,imprimis1 the ,,ball must be in weight between five ounces and a half and five ounces and three quarters1 and must be between nine inches and nine inches and one-eighth in circumference4 #b4 ,the ,,bat must not be more than thirty-eight inches in length1 nor exceed four inches and a quarter in its widest part4 #c4 ,the ,,stumps1 which are three to each wicket1 must be twenty-seven inches out of the ground1 and placed so closely as not to allow the ball to pass through4 ,the bails must be eight inches in length4 #d4 ,the ,,bowling-,,crease must be in a line with the stumps1 and six feet eight inches in length1 the stumps in the centre1 with a return-crease at each end towards the bowler at right angles4 #e4 ,the ,,popping ,,crease must be three feet ten inches from the wicket1 and parallel to it1 unlimited in length1 but not shorter than the bowling-crease4 #f4 ,they must be opposite to each other1 twenty-two yards apart4 #g4 ,it is not lawful for either party1 during a match1 without the other party gives consent1 to make any alteration in the ground by rolling1 watering1 covering1 mowing1 or beating4 ,this rule is not meant to prevent the striker from beating the ground with his bat near to the spot where he stands during the innings1 nor to prevent the bowler from filling up holes with sawdust1 c41 when the ground is wet4 #h4 ,after rain1 the wickets may be changed with the consent of both parties4 ,illustration ,,the ,,bowler4 #i4 ,the bowler must deliver the ball with one foot behind the bowling-crease1 and bowl four bowls before he changes wickets1 which he is permitted to do1 once only1 in the same innings4 #aj4 ,the ball must be bowled2 if it be thrown or jerked1 or if the hand be above the shoulder in the delivery1 the umpire must call no ball 7this being reckoned as one of the four balls74 #aa4 ,in some matches1 the bowler may give six balls where the parties are agreed4 ,the bowler may order the striker at the wicket from which he bowls1 to stand on which side of it he pleases4 #ab4 ,should the bowler toss the ball over the striker's head1 or bowl it so wide that it shall be out of distance to be played at1 the umpire1 although the striker attempt it1 shall adjudge one run to the parties receiving the innings1 either with or without an appeal from them1 which shall be put down to the score of wide balls1 and such balls shall not be reckoned as any of the four balls4 ,when the umpire shall have called wide ball1 one run only shall be reckoned1 and the ball shall be considered dead4 #ac4 ,if no ball be called by the umpire1 the hitter may strike at it1 and is allowed all the runs he can make1 and is not be considered out except by running out4 ,should no run be obtained by any other means1 then one run shall be scored4 #ad4 ,when a fresh bowler takes the ball1 only two balls shall be allowed for practice2 he must1 however1 continue the next four in the game before he can change for another better approved4 ,if six balls are agreed to be bowled1 then he must continue the six instead of four4 #ae4 ,no substitute in the field shall be allowed to bowl1 keep wicket1 ,,stand ,,at ,,the ,,point or ,,middle ,,wicket1 except by mutual agreement of the parties4 ,,the ,,striker4 ,is ,,out1 if either of the bails be struck off by the ball1 or either of the stumps struck out of the ground4 ,he is ,,out1 if the ball1 from a stroke of the bat or hand below the wrist1 be held by his adversary before it touches the ground1 although hugged or caught between the arms and breast of the catcher4 ,he is ,,out1 if in striking1 or at any other time while the ball is in play1 both his feet be over the popping-crease1 and his wicket put down1 except his bat be grounded within it4 ,he is ,,out1 if in striking at the ball1 he either with his bat1 clothes1 or person1 hits down his wicket4 ,he is ,,out1 if under pretence of running a notch1 or otherwise1 either of the strikers prevent a ball from being caught1 or if the ball be struck up and he wilfully strikes it again4 ,he is ,,out1 if in running a notch the wicket be struck down by a throw1 or with the hand or arm with ball in hand1 before his bat is grounded over the popping-crease4 ,if the bails should happen to be off1 a stump must be struck out of the ground4 ,he is ,,out1 should he take up or touch the ball while in play1 unless at the request of the opposite party4 ,he is ,,out1 if with a part of his person he stop the ball1 which the bowler1 in the opinion of the umpire at the bowler's wicket1 has pitched in a straight line with the wicket4 ,if the players have crossed each other1 he that runs for the wicket that is put down1 is out2 and if they have not crossed1 he that has left the wicket which is put down1 is out4 ,when a ball is caught1 no run is to be reckoned4 ,when a striker is run out1 the notch they were running for is not to be reckoned4 ,if lost ball shall be called1 the striker is allowed the runs2 but if more than six shall have been run before lost ball shall have been called1 then the striker shall have all that have been run4 ,when the ball has been lodged in the wicket-keeper's or bowler's hands1 it is considered dead1 that is1 no longer in play1 and the striker need not keep within ground1 till the umpire has called play2 but if the player goes off his ground1 with intent to run1 the bowler may put him out4 ,should the striker be hurt1 he may retire from his wicket and return to it any time during that innings4 ,some other person may stand out for him1 but not go in4 ,if any person stop the ball with his bat1 the ball is to be considered as ,,dead1 and the opposite party to add five notches to their score4 ,if the ball be struck up1 the striker may guard his wicket with his bat or any part of his body except his hand4 ,if the striker hit the ball against his partner's wicket when he is off his ground1 he is out1 should it previously have touched the bowler or any of the fieldmen's hands1 but not otherwise4 ,,the ,,wicket-,,keeper4 ,the wicket-keeper should not take the ball for the purpose of stumping1 until it have passed the wicket4 ,he shall stand at a proper distance behind the wicket1 and shall not move till the ball be out of the bowler's hand4 ,he shall not by any noise1 incommode the striker1 and if any part of his person be over or before the wicket1 although the ball hit it1 he shall not be out4 ,,the ,,umpires4 ,the umpires are the sole judges of fair and unfair play1 and all disputes are determined by them1 each at his own wicket4 ,they shall not stand more than six yards from the wicket4 ,in case of a catch1 which the umpire at the wicket cannot see sufficiently to decide upon1 he may apply to the other umpire1 whose opinion is conclusive4 ,the umpires shall pitch fair wickets1 and the parties shall toss up for the choice of innings4 ,they shall allow two minutes for the striker to come in1 and fifteen minutes between each innings4 ,when the umpires shall call play1 the party who refuses shall lose the match4 ,they are not to order a player out unless assented to by the adversaries4 ,if the bowler's foot be not behind the bowling-crease and within the return crease when he delivers the ball1 they must1 unasked1 call no ball2 if the striker run a short run1 the umpire must call no run4 ,if in running either of the strikers shall fail to ground his bat1 in hand1 or some part of his person1 over the popping crease1 the umpire1 for every such failure1 shall deduct two runs from the number intended to have been run1 because such striker1 not having run in the first instance1 cannot have started in the second from the proper goal4 ,no umpire is allowed to bet4 ,no umpire to be changed during a match1 unless with the consent of both parties1 except in case of a violation of the last law1 then either party may dismiss the transgressor4 ,after the delivery of four balls1 the umpire should call over1 but not until the ball shall be lodged and definitely settled in the wicket-keeper's or bowler's hand2 the ball shall then be considered dead4 ,nevertheless1 if an idea be entertained that either of the strikers is out1 a question may be put previously to1 but not after the delivery of the next ball4 ,the umpire must take especial care to call no ball instantly upon delivery1 and wide ball1 as soon as ever it shall pass the striker4 ,,laws ,,for ,,single ,,wicket4 #a4 ,when there shall be less than four players on a side1 bounds shall be placed1 twenty-two yards each1 in a line from the off and leg stump4 #b4 ,the ball must be hit before the bounds to entitle the striker to a run1 which run cannot be obtained unless he touch the bowling-stump or crease1 in a line with it1 with his bat or person1 or go beyond them1 returning to the popping-crease1 as in double wicket1 according to the law4 #c4 ,when the striker shall hit the ball1 one of his feet must be on the ground behind the popping-crease1 otherwise the umpire shall call no hit4 #d4 ,when there shall be less than five players of a side1 neither byes nor overthrows shall be allowed1 nor shall the striker be caught out behind the wicket1 nor stumped out4 #e4 ,the fieldsman must return the ball so that it shall cross the space between the wicket and the bowling stump1 or between the bowling stumps and the bounds2 the striker may run till the ball be so returned4 #f4 ,after the striker has made one run1 he must touch the bowling stump1 and run before the ball shall cross the play1 to entitle him to another4 #g4 ,the striker shall be entitled to three runs for lost ball1 and the same number for ball stopped with bat4 #h4 ,when there shall be more than four players to a side1 there shall be no bounds2 all hits1 byes1 and overthrows1 will then be allowed4 #i4 ,the bowler is subject to the same laws as at double wicket4 #aj4 ,no more than one minute shall be allowed between each ball4 ,,bets4 #a4 ,no bet is payable in any match unless it be played out or given up4 #b4 ,if the runs of one player be betted against those of another1 the bet depends on the first innings1 unless otherwise specified4 #c4 ,if the bet be made upon both innings1 and one party beats the other in one innings1 the runs in the first innings shall determine it4 #d4 ,if the other party go in a second time1 then the bet must be determined by the number in the second4 ,,observations4 ,cricket is played by twenty-two persons1 eleven on each side1 and two umpires1 with two persons to score and count the innings4 ,thirteen players play at one time1 viz41 two strikers1 one bowler1 one wicket-keeper1 long-stop1 short-stop1 point1 cover1 middle-wicket1 long-field1 off-side1 on-side1 and leg2 of these the two strikers are the inside1 or have their innings4 ,the object of the game is to get the greatest number of runs1 and this is to be done by the strikers4 ,each side having been in once and out once1 the first innings is concluded1 and1 we might say1 a complete game has been played1 but in most matches another innings is played4 ,the scorers keep the account of runs to each striker separately for each innings4 ,the side that has obtained the greatest number of runs1 wins the game4 ,the arrangement of the players in the field is as follows3-- -------------------------------------- #f 99 #h 99 #i 99 #g #aj #e 99 99 99 #d #c #a #a #b 99 99 99 99 99 #ab #aa 99 99 -------------------------------------- ,,order ,,of ,,the ,,players4 #a4 ,striker4 #b4 ,bowler4 #c4 ,wicket-keeper4 #d4 ,long-stop4 #e4 ,short-stop4 #f4 ,long-slip4 #g4 ,point4 #h4 ,cover4 #i4 ,middle-wicket4 #aj4 ,long-field1 off-side4 #aa4 ,long-field1 on-side4 #ab4 ,leg4 ,,part ,,vi4 ,,swimming4 ,illustration ,no boy should be unable to swim1 because it is essential to the preservation of life2 but the attainment of the art has been held to be difficult1 and the number of good swimmers is very small4 ,the whole science of swimming consists in multiplying the surface of the body by extensive motions1 so as to displace a greater quantity of liquid4 ,as the first requisite of oratory was said to be action2 the second1 action2 and the third1 action2 so the first1 second1 and the third requisite in learning to swim1 is ,,courage4 ,now there is a vast difference between courage and temerity2 courage proceeds from confidence1 temerity1 from carelessness2 courage is calm and collected1 temerity is headstrong and rash2 courage ventures into the water carefully1 and throws himself off with a firm and vigorous lounge forward1 and a slow and equable stroke2 temerity begins to dive before he knows whether he can swim or sink1 and after floundering about for a minute or two1 finds that he can swim farthest where it is deepest4 ,therefore1 let the young swimmer mark the distinction between courage and temerity1 and he will speedily become a swimmer4 ,before1 however1 we proceed to offer any remarks on swimming as an art1 we cannot refrain from calling the attention of our young friends to the observations of a celebrated medical doctor who has thought profoundly on the subject4 ,immersion in cold water1 says he1 is a custom which lays claim to the most remote antiquity2 indeed it must be coeval with man himself4 ,the necessity of water for the purpose of cleanliness1 and the pleasure arising from its application in hot countries1 must have very early recommended it to the human species2 even the example of other animals was sufficient to give the hint to man2 by instinct many of them are led to apply cold water in this manner1 and some1 when deprived of its use1 have been known to languish1 and even to die4 ,the cold bath recommends itself in a variety of cases1 and is peculiarly beneficial to the inhabitants of populous cities who indulge in idleness and lead sedentary lives3 it accelerates the motion of the blood1 promotes the different secretions1 and gives permanency to the solids4 ,but all these important purposes will be more easily answered by the application of salt water2 this also ought not only to be preferred on account of its superior gravity1 but also1 for its greater power of stimulating the skin1 which prevents the patient from catching cold4 ,it is necessary1 however1 to observe1 that cold bathing is more likely to prevent than to remove obstructions of the glandular or lymphatic system2 indeed1 when these have arrived at a certain height1 they are not to be removed by any means2 in this case1 the cold bath will only aggravate the symptoms1 and hurry the unhappy patient into an untimely grave4 ,it is1 therefore1 of the utmost importance1 previously to the patient entering upon the use of the cold bath1 to determine whether or not he labours under any obstinate obstruction of the lungs or other viscera1 and when this is the case1 cold bathing ought strictly to be prohibited4 ,in what is called a plethoric state1 or too great fulness of the body1 it is likewise dangerous to use the cold bath without due preparation4 ,in this case1 there is danger of bursting a blood-vessel1 or occasioning an inflammation4 ,the ancient ,romans and ,greeks1 we are told1 when covered with sweat and dust1 used to plunge into rivers without receiving the smallest injury4 ,though they might escape danger from this imprudent conduct1 yet it was certainly contrary to sound reason2 many robust men have thrown away their lives by such an attempt4 ,we would not1 however1 advise patients to go in the cold water when the body is chilled2 as much exercise at least ought to be taken as may excite a gentle glow all over the body1 but by no means so as to overheat it4 ,to young people1 and particularly to children1 cold bathing is of the utmost importance2 it promotes their growth1 increases their strength1 and prevents a variety of diseases incident to childhood4 ,it is necessary here to caution young men against too frequent bathing1 as many fatal consequences have resulted from the daily practice of plunging into rivers1 and continuing there too long4 ,the most proper time of the day for using the cold bath is1 no doubt1 the morning1 or at least before dinner1 and the best mode1 that of quick immersion4 ,as cold bathing has a tendency to propel the blood to the head1 it ought always to be a rule to wet that part as soon as possible4 ,by due attention to this circumstance1 there is reason to believe that violent head-aches1 and other complaints which frequently proceed from cold bathing1 might be often prevented4 ,the cold bath1 when too long continued1 not only occasions an excessive flux towards the head1 but chills the blood1 cramps the muscles1 relaxes the nerves1 and wholly defeats the intention of bathing2 hence expert swimmers are often injured1 and sometimes lose their lives4 ,all the beneficial purposes of cold bathing are answered by one immersion at a time1 and the patient ought to be rubbed dry the moment he comes out of the water1 and should continue to take exercise some time after4 ,doctor ,franklin1 who was almost always a practical man1 says1 that the only obstacle to improvement in this necessary and life-preserving art1 is fear2 and it is only by overcoming this timidity1 that you can expect to become a master of the following acquirements4 ,it is very common for novices in the art of swimming1 to make use of corks or bladders to assist in keeping the body above the water2 some have utterly condemned the use of them4 ,however1 they may be of service for supporting the body while one is learning what is called the stroke1 or that manner of drawing in and striking out the hands and feet that is necessary to produce progressive motion2 but you will be no swimmer till you can place confidence in the power of the water to support you4 ,i would therefore advise the acquiring that confidence in the first place1 as ,i have known several who1 by a little practice necessary for that purpose1 have insensibly acquired the stroke1 taught as if it were by nature4 ,the practice ,i mean1 is this--choosing a place where the water deepens gradually1 walk coolly in it until it is up to your breast1 then turn your face towards the shore and throw an egg into the water between you and the shore1 it will sink to the bottom and will easily be seen there if the water is clear2 it must lie in the water so deep that you cannot reach to take it up without diving for it4 ,to encourage yourself to do this1 reflect that your progress will be from deep to shallow water1 and that at any time you may1 by bringing your legs under you and standing on the bottom1 raise your head far above the water2 plunge under it with your eyes open1 which must be kept open before going under1 as you cannot open your eyelids from the weight of water above you1 throw yourself towards the egg and endeavour by the action of your feet and hands against the water1 to get forward till within reach of it4 ,in this attempt you will find that the water buoys you up against your inclination1 and that it is not so easy to sink as you imagine1 and that you cannot1 but by active force1 get down to the egg4 ,thus you feel the power of water to support you1 and learn to confide in that power1 while your endeavours to overcome it and to reach the egg1 teach you the manner of acting on the water with your feet and hands1 which action is afterwards used in swimming to support your head higher above the water1 or to go forward through it4 ,i would the more earnestly press upon you the trial of this method1 because1 though ,i think ,i shall satisfy you that your body is lighter than water1 and that you might float for a long time with your mouth free for breathing1 if you would put yourself into a proper posture1 and would be still and forbear struggling1 yet till you have obtained this experimental confidence in the water1 ,i cannot depend upon your having the necessary presence of mind to recollect the posture and the directions ,i gave you relating to it2 the surprise may put all out of your mind4 ,though the legs1 arms1 and head of a human body1 being solid parts1 are specifically somewhat heavier than fresh water1 yet the trunk1 particularly the upper part1 from its hollowness1 is so much lighter than water1 as that the whole of the body1 taken altogether1 is too light to sink wholly under water1 but that some parts will remain above until the lungs become filled with water1 which happens from drawing water to them instead of air1 when a person in the fright attempts breathing while the mouth and nostrils are under water4 ,the legs and arms are specifically lighter than salt water1 and will be supported by it1 so that a human body cannot sink in salt water1 though the lungs were filled as above1 but for the greater specific gravity of the head4 ,therefore1 a person throwing himself on his back in salt water1 and extending his arms1 may easily lie so as to keep his mouth and nostrils free for breathing1 and by a small motion of the hand may prevent turning if he should perceive any tendency to it4 ,in fresh water1 if a man throw himself on his back near the surface1 he cannot continue in that situation but by proper action of his hands in the water2 if he have no such action1 the legs and lower part of the body will gradually sink till he comes into an upright position1 in which he will continue suspended1 the hollow of his breast keeping the head uppermost4 ,but if in this erect position1 the head be kept upright above the shoulders1 as when we stand on the ground1 the immersion will1 by the weight of that part of the head that is out of the water1 reach above the mouth and nostrils1 perhaps a little above the eyes1 so that a man cannot long remain suspended in the water with his head in that position4 ,the body continuing suspended1 as before1 and upright1 if the head be leaned quite back1 so that the face look upward1 all the back part of the head being under water1 and its weight consequently being in a great measure supported by it1 the face will remain above water quite free for breathing1 will rise an inch higher at every inspiration1 and sink as much at every expiration1 but never so low that the water may come over the mouth4 ,if1 therefore1 a person unacquainted with swimming1 falling into the water1 could have presence of mind sufficient to avoid struggling and plunging1 and to let the body take this natural position1 he might continue long safe from drowning1 till1 perhaps1 help should come2 for as to the clothes1 their additional weight1 when immersed1 is very inconsiderable1 the water supporting them1 though when he comes out of the water he would find them very heavy indeed4 ,but1 as ,i said before1 ,i would not advise you or any one to depend on having this presence of mind on such an occasion1 but learn fairly to swim1 as ,i wish all men were taught to do in their youth3 they would on many occasions be the safer for having that skill1 and on many more1 the happier1 as being free from painful apprehensions of danger1 to say nothing of the enjoyment in so delightful and wholesome an exercise4 ,soldiers1 particularly1 should all be taught to swim2 it might be of particular use either in surprising an enemy or saving themselves1 and if ,i had any boys to educate1 ,i would prefer those schools in which an opportunity was afforded for acquiring so advantageous an art1 which when once learned1 is never forgotten4 ,i know by experience1 that it is a great comfort to a swimmer who has a great distance to go1 to turn himself sometimes on his back1 and to vary in other respects the means of procuring a progressive motion4 ,when he is seized with the cramp in the leg1 the method to drive it away1 is to give the parts affected a sudden1 vigorous and violent shock1 which he may do in the air as he swims on his back4 ,during the great heats in summer1 there is no danger in bathing1 however warm he may be1 in rivers which have been thoroughly warmed by the sun2 but to throw one's-self into cold spring water when the body has been heated by exercise in the sun1 is an imprudence which may prove fatal4 ,i once knew an instance of four young men1 who1 having worked at harvest in the heat of the day1 with a view of refreshing themselves1 plunged into a spring of cold water2 two died upon the spot1 a third next morning1 and the fourth recovered with great difficulty4 ,a copious draught of cold water1 in similar circumstances1 is frequently attended with the same effect in ,north ,america4 ,when ,i was a boy1 ,i amused myself one day with flying a paper kite1 and approaching the bank of a lake which was near a mile broad1 ,i tied the string to a stake1 and the kite ascended to a very considerable height above the pond while ,i was bathing4 ,in a little while1 being desirous of amusing myself with my kite and enjoying at the same time the pleasure of swimming1 ,i returned1 and loosening from the stake the string with the little stick which was fastened to it1 went again into the water1 where ,i found1 that by lying on my back and holding the stick in my hand1 ,i was drawn along the surface of the water in a very agreeable manner4 ,having thus engaged another boy to carry my clothes round the pond to a place which ,i pointed out to him on the other side1 ,i began to cross the pond with my kite1 which carried me quite over without the least fatigue and with the greatest pleasure imaginable4 ,i was only obliged occasionally to halt a little in my course and resist its progress1 when it appeared that by following too quick ,i lowered the kite too much2 by doing thus occasionally1 ,i made it rise again4 ,i have never since that time practised this singular mode of swimming1 though ,i think it not impossible to cross in this manner from ,dover to ,calais4 ,the packet boat is1 however1 preferable4 ,,preliminary ,,exercises ,,in ,,swimming4 ,we have shown that much of the art of swimming depends upon having confidence1 and that that confidence is speedily dissipated upon the swimmer coming in contact with the water4 ,besides this1 a great deal in the art of swimming depends upon the degree of ease with which the swimmer can use his hands and feet4 ,now this sort of exercise may in part be acquired on land1 and it would be of great usefulness to the learner were he to enter upon some preliminary practice which would give him the use of his hands and feet1 in the manner required in swimming4 ,to do this1 he should provide himself with two ropes1 which should be fastened up in the manner of two swings1 at about sixteen inches apart from each other1 and one a little higher than the other2 these should be joined together with two or three cords passing from the one to the other1 and on the rack thus made1 a pillow or cushion should be placed2 upon this1 the learner will throw himself on his breast1 as upon the water1 and supporting himself in this position1 and having his hands and feet perfectly at liberty1 he will move them to and fro in the same manner as in swimming2 this he should repeat several times a day1 until he finds that he has got a complete mastery over the action required4 ,the head must be drawn back1 the chin raised1 the fingers must be kept close1 and the hands slightly concave on the inside1--they must be struck out in a line with the breast2 the legs must then be drawn up and struck out1 not downwards1 however1 but behind1 in such a manner1 that they may have a good hold upon the water4 ,these directions being followed for a few days1 will give the learner so much assistance1 that when he enters the water he will find little more requisite than calmness and confidence in striking out4 ,illustration ,in proceeding to take water1 the first thing the youth should do1 is to make himself thoroughly convinced that the spot is safe1 that there are no holes in it1 that no weeds are at the bottom1 that it does not contain any stones likely to cut the feet4 ,ho must also be cautious that he does not enter a stream whose eddy sweeps round a projecting point1 or hollow2 the bank should slope off gradually1 so that he may proceed for ten or twelve yards from the shore1 before the water rises to the level of his armpits4 ,with regard to the use of bladders and corks1 although it may perhaps be better to learn to keep ourselves afloat without their aid1 yet they may be used with advantage1 if used sparingly4 ,the pupil1 in using them1 places his breast across the rope which unites them1 so that when he lays himself over them in the water1 they float above him1 and thus assist in buoying him up2 thus sustained1 he strikes out and propels himself with his hands and feet4 ,in striking out when in the water1 the fingers are to be perfectly straight1 and the thumb kept close to the hand2 the hands are then to be brought forward1 palm to palm1 and to be thrust out in a direction on a level with the chin2 when at their fullest reach1 they are to be parted and swept slowly and regularly with the palms in a horizontal position1 the full stretch of the arms backwards1 they are then brought up from the hips and struck out forward1 as before4 ,while the hands are near the hips1 is the time for the legs to perform their part2 they are to be drawn up as near to the body as possible1 and the soles of the feet struck against the water with moderate force1 immediately the hands are again thrust forward4 ,now all this is very easily performed with a little practice1 but will be very difficult if the learner have not coolness and self-possession4 ,a slow long stroke1 the hand thrust forward with energy1 and the legs brought up and struck out with a regular and even stroke1 is the whole art of simple swimming4 ,the swimmer must1 however1 be careful to draw his breath at the time when his hands are descending towards his hips2 if he attempt it when he strikes out his legs1 his head will partially sink1 and his mouth will fill with water4 ,the breath should accordingly be expired while the body is sent forward by the action of the legs4 ,illustration ,the young swimmer will find much use in having a plank1 ten feet long1 two inches thick1 and a foot broad1 which he may take hold of at one of its ends1 and his body being thus supported he will perfect himself in the action of the legs1 and will1 by striking them out1 drive the plank before him3 he must1 however1 take care to hold it fast1 for if he should let go his hold1 he will find himself sinking over head and ears in the water4 ,a rope may also be so fixed as to reach over the water1 by which the swimmer may support himself while learning to strike out with his legs2 but he should be careful always in performing this exercise1 to keep his legs near the surface1 as1 if the legs drop down1 he will make very little way in the water4 ,one of the best kinds of assistance1 however1 the young swimmer can have1 is the hand of some one who is willing to teach him1 and is superior to any other methods for very young swimmers4 ,if a grown person will take the trouble to take the little learner out with him till he is breast high in the water1 and sustain him with one hand under the breast1 and occasionally hold him up by the chin1 at the same time directing and encouraging him1 and occasionally letting him loose that he may support himself by striking out1 the little learner will soon reach that triumphant period when he floats alone on the water4 ,after this triumph1 however1 the young swimmer must be exceedingly cautious1 though he may feel conscious of his own power1 he must venture only a few strokes out of his depth3 should he be in a broad river1 he must be careful not to do so where there is a strong curling eddy or flood3 in a small river1 the breadth of which is only a few yards1 he may venture across with a few bold and regular strokes2 but should he become flurried and lose his time1 he will most assuredly be in danger of sinking4 ,let him then obtain such perfect command over his limbs1 and also over himself1 that when he ventures out of his depth1 he may be able to keep afloat in the water1 pleasantly to himself1 and without hazard4 ,illustration ,a most important branch in art of swimming1 is floating1 as the swimmer may frequently rest himself when fatigued1 and otherwise engage himself in the water4 ,to do this1 he must turn himself as gently as possible on the back1 put his head back1 so that his eyes1 mouth1 and chin1 only1 are above the water1 elevate his breast1 and inflate his chest as much as possible3 the arms may be brought towards the hips1 and the hands should be paddled in a horizontal kind of sweep1 which will sustain the body4 ,should the learner wish to swim1 he must strike out with his legs1 taking care not to lift his legs too high2 in this position the arms may occasionally be folded across the breast4 ,illustration ,to tread water1 the legs must be suffered to drop in the water till the swimmer finds himself upright1 he then treads downwards with his feet1 occasionally paddling with the palms of his hands4 ,the swimmer1 when long in the water1 will soon find himself tired1 changes of action are therefore necessary2 there are many which are highly advantageous to learn1 such as swimming like a dog1 porpoise1 etc4 ,to swim like a dog1 he must strike with each hand and foot alternately1 beginning with the right hand and foot1 he must draw the hand towards the chin1 and the foot towards the body1 at the same time2 he then must kick backwards with the foot1 and strike out in a right line with the hand1 and the same with the left hand and foot3 the palms of the hands must be hollow1 and the water pulled towards the swimmer4 ,in swimming like a porpoise1 the right arm is lifted entirely out of the water1 the shoulder is thrust forward1 and while the swimmer is striking out with his legs1 he reaches forward with his hand as far as he can2 his hand then falls1 a little hollowed1 in the water1 which it grasps or pulls towards him in a transverse direction towards the other armpit4 ,while this is going on1 the legs are drawn up for another effort1 and the left arm and shoulder are raised and thrust forward1 as the right had previously been4 ,when the swimmer feels tired1 he may change these positions for swimming on the side4 ,to do this1 he must lower his left side and elevate his right1 striking forward with his left hand1 and sideways with his right1 the back of the hand being in front instead of upward1 the thumb side of the hand being downward so as to serve as an oar4 ,should the swimmer wish to turn on his back1 he must keep one leg still1 and embrace the water beside him with the other1 and he will turn to that side4 ,to shew the feet1 he must turn himself on his back1 and bend the small of it downwards1 supporting himself by his hands to and fro immediately above his breast1 and hold his feet above the water4 ,swimming under water is performed by the usual stroke1 the head being kept a little downwards1 and the feet struck out a little higher than when swimming on the surface4 ,,bernardi',s ,,system4 ,upright swimming4--,this is a new mode of swimming1 introduced by ,bernardi1 a ,neapolitan1 and consists in adopting the accustomed motion of the limbs in walking4 ,it gives great freedom to the hands and arms1 affords a greater facility of breathing and of sight4 ,it is true1 that a person swimming in an upright position1 advances more slowly1 but as the method is more natural1 the person is able to continue his course longer1 and can remain with greater safety in the water4 ,the first object with ,bernardi1 is to enable the pupil to float in an upright position1 and in this the head is made the great regulator of all the motions4 ,after having been by practice familiarised to keep his equilibrium1 a variety of motions are gradually practised1 until the swimmer is enabled at every stroke to urge himself forward a distance equal to the length of his body1 and to travel1 without fatigue1 at least three miles an hour1 and to continue this without great fatigue for many hours4 ,bernardi1 speaking of the success of his practice1 says1 ,having been appointed to instruct the youths of the ,royal ,naval ,academy at ,naples in the art of swimming1 a trial of the pupils took place in the presence of a number of persons assembled on the shore1 and under the inspection of authorities appointed to witness and report upon the experiment4 ,a twelve-oared boat attended the progress of the pupils1 from motives of precaution4 ,they swam so far out in the bay1 that at length the heads of the young men could with difficulty be discerned with the naked eye2 and the ,major-,general of ,marine1 ,fortguerri1 for whose inspection the exhibition was attended1 expressed serious apprehensions for their safety4 ,upon their return to the shore1 the young men1 however1 assured him that they felt so little exhausted1 as to be willing immediately to repeat the exertion4 ,after devoting a month to the investigation of ,bernardi's plan1 the ,neapolitan government state in their official report-- ,that it has been established by the experience of more than a hundred persons of different bodily constitutions1 that the human body is lighter than water1 and1 consequently1 will float by nature1 and that the art of swimming must be acquired to render that privilege useful4 ,that ,bernardi's system is new1 in so far as it is founded on the principle of husbanding the strength1 and rendering the power of recruiting it easy4 ,the speed1 according to the new method1 is no doubt diminished1 but security is much more important than speed1 and the new plan is not exclusive of the old when occasions require great effort4 ,little more need be said on the subject of swimming1 except giving a few directions in diving and plunging1 which require to be performed with caution and elegance4 ,when the swimmer prepares to dive1 he must take a full inspiration of air1 the eyes must be kept open1 the back made round1 and the head bent forwards on the breast2 the legs must be thrown out with force1 and the arms and hands1 instead of being struck forward as in swimming1 must move backward4 ,when the swimmer would ascend1 the chin must be held up1 the back bent inwards1 the hands struck out high and brought sharply down1 and the body will immediately rise to the surface of the water4 ,illustration ,plunging4--,there are two different modes of plunging to be acquired1 namely1 the flat plunge1 which is necessary in shallow water1 and the deep plunge1 which is used where there is considerable depth of water4 ,for the latter1 the arms must be outstretched1 the knees bent1 and the body leant forward till the head descends nearly to the feet when the spine and knees are extended4 ,in the flat plunge1 the swimmer must fling himself forward in an inclined direction1 according to the depth or shallowness of the water2 when he touches the bottom1 he must rise in the same manner as after diving4 ,illustration ,after all these necessary motions and movements have been acquired in the water1 there is one thing of which the swimmer must beware1 and against which art and precaution can do but little--this is the ,,cramp4 ,when this seizes the swimmer1 he must endeavour1 as much as possible1 to avoid being alarmed1 as he will reflect1 that as the body is lighter than water1 a very little exertion in it will keep his body afloat4 ,of course his first thoughts will be towards the shore1 but he must not forget1 that the cramp being only a muscular contraction1 may be thrown off by proper muscular exertion4 ,he must strike out the limb violently1 and bringing the toes towards the shin-bone1 thrust his feet out1 which will probably restore the muscles to their proper exercise2 but if the cramp still continue1 he can easily keep himself afloat with his hands1 and paddle towards the shore1 till some assistance comes to him4 ,if one leg is only attacked1 he may drive himself forward with the other1 and for this purpose1 in an emergency1 the swimmer should frequently try to swim with one hand1 or one leg and one hand1 or by two hands alone1 which will be easily acquired4 ,should a companion be in danger of drowning1 it is our duty to use every exertion to save his life2 and1 indeed1 not to use the utmost exertion is a high degree of moral guilt1 but in doing this1 we must not rashly hazard our own life1 nor put ourselves into a position in which the swimmer can cling to us or grasp any part of our body1 or the loss of both will be inevitable4 ,it will be better in all cases where bathing is practised1 that there should be ropes and planks at hand1 and young swimmers should never venture far into the water without such means of rescue are available4 ,in conclusion1 we would caution all who go into the water1 against remaining in it too long1 as nothing can be more dangerous2 and we would further advise that the practice of bathing and swimming be not only common to boyhood1 but be continued in after life1 as few things tend more to the preservation of ,,health4 ,,part ,,vii4 ,,gardening4 ,we read in the sacred records1 that when man was created1 he was placed in a ,garden1--the ,garden of ,eden1 to dress it and to keep it2 and we may infer therefrom1 first1 that1 the occupation of gardening was one pre-eminently fitted for the happiness of man1 and secondly1 that industry1 and even labour1 was also a part of man's duty1 even in a state of innocence4 ,there is not a more innocent amusement than gardening4 ,nothing can be more lovely than to be among buds and fruits and flowers2 nothing is more conducive to health and peace of mind1 and few things are better calculated to inspire religious feelings than gardening4 ,every little boy or girl should have a garden1 and should be shown how to manage it4 ,there is a great deal in management and in method at all times1 but especially in gardening4 ,much attention is also necessary1--great care and much forethought2 all of which qualities of the mind it is in the highest degree proper to train and exercise4 ,whoever1 therefore1 begins gardening1 must not look upon it as an idle sport1 to be taken up and thrown aside with the whim of the moment1 but as an occupation for leisure hours1 that the mind must be brought to bear upon1 and which must engage him from day to day1 from month to month1 from spring to summer1 from autumn to winter1 and so through all the changes of the varied year4 ,illustration ,,laying ,,out ,,the ,,ground4 #cj yds4 ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------------- #b ft4 #bb-a_/b ft4 ,bed #c ft4 #bb-a_/b ft4 ,bed #b ft4 #dj #f in4 wide #f in4 yds4 wide wide -------------------- -------------------- ---------------------------------------- ------------------------- ,to begin gardening1 a little boy must have some ground1 which is quite indispensable2 and a boy of from ten to fourteen years old ought to have1 at least1 a piece large enough for him to divide and subdivide1 and arrange with neatness and order4 ,a piece of about forty yards long by thirty wide will be large enough to commence with1 and this should be set out in the subjoined manner4 ,this will allow of a path three feet wide in the centre1 and of one two feet six inches round the sides1 leaving the beds twenty-two and a half feet wide4 ,the paths should be gravelled with a good red binding gravel1 and to look nice1 the borders should be edged with box or edging tiles4 ,at each corner of the two parallelograms1 might be planted a tree1 say1 one apple1 one pear1 one plum1 and one cherry1 that is1 eight in all2 and at distances of about a yard1 might be planted1 all round1 a foot from the paths1 alternately1 gooseberry-bushes1 currant-trees1 and raspberry-trees1 and between them1 various kinds of flowers1 to come into blossom at different seasons4 ,at one end1 the south end if possible1 should be erected a small arbour1 with a couple of seats in it1 and at the two opposite corners should be two small manure pits1--one for the reception of well-rotted manure1 to be quickly used1 and the other for the reception of all weeds1 leaves1 and rubbish1 which will make manure1 and which should be mixed up from time to time with the spade4 ,these pits should be used alternately4 ,as soon as one has its contents well rotted1 it should be emptied from time to time on the land1 while the other pit should be used to hold the fresh matter newly collected4 ,by the time this is full1 the other will be empty1 and then that may be used as a collector and the other as a decomposer1 and so on1 alternately4 ,,manure4 ,it is of no use whatever to think of getting things to grow without manure4 ,this is the life and soul of all garden operations4 ,almost everything can be converted into manure4 ,the grass from lawns1 fallen leaves1 weeds1 and all vegetable matter1 afford good light manure4 ,strong manures are prepared from horse1 cow1 sheep1 and goat dung4 ,the dung of fowls and rabbits is also most excellent2 and where fowls or rabbits are kept1 their dung should be preserved with great care1 and put by itself into a rotting-pit1 or into a tank1 and kept wet4 ,the juicy part can then be used as a liquid manure1 and will be found of a highly fertilizing property1 and the more solid may be spread over the land4 ,the best time for putting manure on the land is in dry or frosty weather1 and it should be dug in as soon as spread4 ,it is a very unwise plan to spread manure on the land and let it lie1 as in such cases1 much of the strength of the manure is lost4 ,young gardeners should be very careful in preparing and collecting manure1 and also when they are moving it from the pits to the ground1 they should take care and not soil their paths4 ,,gardening ,,tools4 ,it is quite necessary that a young gardener should have proper tools4 ,he should have a small but strong spade1 a small but strong rake1 a digging fork1 a hoe1 a trowel1 a good pruning-knife1 a box for seeds1 a little wheelbarrow1 a line1 and above all1 a little gardener's apron1 and a straw hat with a broad brim4 ,thus equipped1 he may commence his gardening operations with great comfort to himself and some chance of success4 ,,digging4 ,the young gardener should practise digging1 with a view to digging well4 ,in beginning to dig a piece of ground1 he should first clear it of all sticks1 stalks1 or stones1 that might impede his labor4 ,he should then commence at one end of the ground1 with his back to the sun1 if possible1 and1 beginning from the left-hand corner1 dig one line all the way to the right-hand corner1 either one or two spades deep1 as may be required4 ,the ground should be turned over1 evenly laid up at the top1 nice and level1 and the weeds completely buried4 ,the operator should dig carefully when near the roots of gooseberry1 currant1 raspberry1 or fruit trees1 and more carefully still1 among flowers4 ,if digging early in the season1 he must mind he does not dig into his bulbs2 such as lilies1 tulips1 snow-drops1 crocuses1 or daffodils1 and cut them to pieces4 ,in the latter part of the year1 in ,november and ,december1 it is a good plan to dig up any unoccupied ground into ridges1 and leave it in that state during the winter1 that the frost may act upon it4 ,the effect of frost upon the ground so prepared is very beneficial1 as it breaks the clods and pulverizes the more cloggy portions1 which fall down in a thaw as a fine soft mould4 ,when manure is dug into the ground1 it should not be dug in too deeply1 about four or five inches being quite sufficient in most cases4 ,,weeding4 ,gardens will always produce a great deal more than is wished for1 in the shape of various herbs1 shrubs1 and plants1 called weeds2 such as dandelions1 couch-grass1 cow-parsley1 chick-weed1 and many other plants1 which go by the general name of weeds4 ,these1 if left to their own natural growth1 would soon cover the ground1 and take away from the garden plants the nutriment in the soil designed for them1 besides entangling their roots1 stems1 and leaves2 therefore1 weeding is as indispensable as digging4 ,the young gardener should make up his mind before he sets foot in his garden to have no weeds in it2 for however assiduous he may have been in other respects1 however he may have planted1 watered1 dug1 or attended to his garden1 if it show a crop of weeds1 he is a bad gardener1 and will be sure to get laughed at4 ,weeds may either be pulled up by the hand or cut up by the hoe4 ,in both cases1 the roots must be eradicated4 ,they must not be plucked from the stem1 or cut from the level ground by the edge of the hoe1 but hoed or plucked up1 root and all2 and after they are got up1 they are not be left about in the ridges to take root and grow again1 but must be cleared away and safely put into the pit1 never again to rise1 but in the chemistry of good manure4 ,,planting ,,and ,,sowing4 ,everything in a garden must be planted in some way or other1 and there are many ways of planting and sowing4 ,sowing relates more particularly to seeds1 and planting to the setting of plants that have been raised from seed in the first instance4 ,the sowing of seeds is a very important work1 and before seeds can be sown with a prospect of their springing up properly1 the preparation of the soil1 the time of the year1 and even the time of day1 must be taken into consideration4 ,some seeds perish in particular kinds of soil1 while others thrive luxuriantly in them4 ,onions like a rich soil1 as do cauliflowers and asparagus4 ,carrots and parsnips like a loose or sandy soil1 as do sea-kale and many other plants4 ,some plants will only grow in bog earth2 and some thrive1 such as strawberries1 best in a clayey loam4 ,attention to such matters must be given by the young gardener1 if he wish to have his garden what it ought to be4 ,,hot-,,beds ,,and ,,frames4 ,illustration ,before we can sow many kinds of seeds in this country in the open ground1 it is necessary to raise them first in a hot-bed1 and for this reason1--many flowers common in our gardens are not natives of our cold and variable climate1 but of one much warmer2 and if we delay to sow the seed of such plants and flowers till the warm days of summer are fully set in1 the plant has scarcely time to grow into perfection before the chills of autumn come on1 and they perish before their blossoms1 fruit1 or seeds come to perfection4 ,but this may be obviated by means of a frame and hot-bed1 which every young gardener ought to have1 however small it may be4 ,one of the simplest is the common garden or cucumber frame1 which may be bought for a few shillings4 ,this1 if about a yard square1 should be set upon a low framework of bricks1 within which a pit is dug1 and filled with good manure over which some fine mould is placed1 to the depth of about six inches4 ,upon this mould the more delicate kinds of flower-seeds may be sown at an early period of the year1--varieties of all those found in the gardening books under the head of tender annuals1--balsams1 ,french marigolds1 tobacco1 stocks1 marigolds1 gourds1 and sun-flowers4 ,the seed must be sown carefully1--not too thick1 and occasionally looked at4 ,in mild1 open weather1 the glass should be raised a little1 but in cold weather kept down4 ,the giving of water should be managed with care1 and the plants as they appear should not be suffered to grow too rapidly1 but be kept under1 or they will not bear to be transplanted when the time comes for doing so4 ,in transplanting1 care should always be taken not to transplant too early1 or in improper weather2 for if the weather happens to be cold or wet1 the tender plants will suffer very much1 and probably fail4 ,this would be the case1 not only with flowers1 but with all the tender kinds of plants1 such as cauliflowers1 and1 therefore1 the young gardener must keep his weather eye open1 as the sailors say1 and not be too much in a hurry1 as young gardeners generally are4 ,,open ,,crops4 ,in the sowing of open crops1 care should also be taken to sow at the proper time4 ,very early sowing is generally hazardous1 but yet1 if you would have your crops come in soon1 a little risk must be run4 ,when seed is sown in the open ground1 it requires watching1 and this particularly applies to such crops as early potatoes or beans4 ,sometimes potatoes are sown in ,february1 with the view to an early crop2 and in ,april the young tender sprouts appear above the ground4 ,one night's frost1 however1 settles them1--down they go1 black and jelly-like to the earth2 but if the weather be doubtful1 the thoughtful young gardener takes care to cover up the tender shoots with dry leaves or straw1 to break the icy tooth of the frost1 and save his crop4 ,the same care should be also bestowed upon any other vegetable of a tender kind1 and without this care1 gardening would come to nothing4 ,after seeds are sown1 they have many natural enemies4 ,the slug1 the snail1 the wire-worm1 the impudent sparrow1 and the most impudent and insolent chaffinch1 who all seem to have an idea that the seed is put into the ground entirely for their benefit4 ,as soon as the pea-shoot comes above the earth1 the slug has a mouthful in its tenderest moments2 after the shoot has in part recovered from the gentle nibble1 ,master ,sparrow swoops down and picks off1 as quick as he can1 all the delicate little sprouts by mouthfuls3 to make a fit ending to what is so well begun1 the chaffinch descends in the most impudent manner1 close to your face1 and pulls up stalk and pea both together1 and flies away as unconcerned as can be4 ,now it is of no use to stand with a gun or a pair of clappers in your hand all the day after these intruders1 and the only protection is by a net1 or rows of twine strung with feathers1 stretched over the bed in rows1 and a few other pieces of white twine crosswise in their immediate vicinity4 ,birds do not like the look of any threads drawn across the ground1 and they will rarely fly where there appears danger of entanglement2 and this method is the best that can be adopted for seed-beds4 ,a ,guy is also good2 and there are few boys who do not know how to construct one4 ,a ,guy is also particularly appropriate for the early ,warwick peas4 ,as to slugs and caterpillars1 they must be hunted for and picked off2 and if they abound in a garden1 the line of shooting peas1 beans1 or other seed1 must be dredged with a little slacked lime1 which is an infalliable mode of protection4 ,but mind the lime does not blow into your eyes2 for1 if it does1 you will be worse off than the caterpillars4 ,,raking4 ,when seeds are sown1 the beds should be nicely raked4 ,some seeds1 such as carrot and parsnip seeds1 should be beaten down with the flat part of the spade1 and laid very evenly and nicely4 ,the edges of the little cross-paths should be sharp and straight1 and the whole put into a ship-shape order4 ,the stones should be raked off into the cross-paths1 and may remain there until the land is dug up in the autumn or winter1 when they may be removed4 ,there is a good deal to be done with the rake in many ways1 besides the raking of beds4 ,it is a very useful tool to job over a bed when some kinds of seeds are sown3 it also makes a very good drill1 and is especially useful in getting leaves from the paths and borders2 but it should be used with a light hand1 and care taken not to scratch the ground into holes with it1 as many young gardeners do4 ,,hoeing4 ,the hoe is of very great use1 both to hoe up weeds and to form drills4 ,we have spoken about its former use1 and shall now say a word or two about the latter4 ,in forming a drill for peas1 beans1 or other seed1 one thing is above all things requisite1 namely1 that it should be straight4 ,a drill resembling a dog's hinder leg1 never looks well in a garden1 and therefore the little gardener must have recourse to his line4 ,this ought to be long enough to stretch quite across his ground1 and when he wants to strike a drill1 he should stretch it across from path to path1 and1 taking his hoe in his hand1 cut or scrape a little furrow1 about three or four inches deep1 by the side of his line4 ,in sowing peas and beans1 the drills are generally a yard apart1 and between them other crops are sometimes sown4 ,very often a crop of spring-spinach or of radishes is sown between lines of peas1 and so on of other intermediate crops4 ,illustration ,the line is very useful in all kinds of planting4 ,in planting broad-beans1 they are put into the ground by a dibber1 which is a piece of wood with a pointed end and a handle4 ,the holes are to be dibbed along the side of the line4 ,the same tool is used in a similar way in planting potatoes1 strawberries1 cabbage-plants1 and a variety of other roots1 which require to be planted in straight and equidistant lines4 ,,transplanting4 ,there are a great many vegetables which require to be transplanted1--some from the hot-bed1 and some from the open ground1 where they have sprung from seeds1 to their destination in the garden4 ,all transplanting should be done with care4 ,some plants1 such as cabbage plants1 do not require so much care as others1 but every plant to do well should be well planted4 ,young gardeners are liable to many mistakes in transplanting2 one is1 that they often put the root of the plant into the ground bundled together2 another is1 that they make the hole too large with the dibber1 and are not careful in pressing the mould to the root at the bottom of the hole1 so that the root of the plant has nothing to feed upon4 ,all this the thoughtful little gardener will avoid2 and when he puts a plant into the ground1 he will reflect that if it be not well planted it will not grow4 ,the young plants of the more delicate flowers should be moved with the greatest care into spots congenial with their natures4 ,some plants require a warm1 some a cool situation1 some a moist1 some a dry one1 and these will be ascertained by studying the nature of the plant4 ,,watering4 ,boys generally fancy there is nothing like watering1 and they are very pleased when they get the watering-pot in their hands4 ,they always like to be watering1--no doubt thinking that the more the seeds and plants are watered the better they thrive2 but this is a mistake1 moderation in all things should be the motto4 ,when a plant wants watering artificially1 it in general shows its wants by very unequivocal signs1 namely1 by a drooping of its pretty head and leaves2 and then1 if too much water be given to it1 it soon springs up with great luxuriance2 and the first burning day of sunshine is likely to kill it1 or to do it great injury4 ,the rule should be1 to water as little as possible1 and to wait as long as possible for nature's heavenly rain1 which is better than any artificial watering4 ,plants should never be watered during the middle of the day1 but early in the morning1 or when the sun is descending in the evening4 ,pump-water should never be used if rain or pond-water can be obtained4 ,much good often results to plants and seed-beds from the use of liquid manure4 ,this can be easily prepared by getting an old beer-cask and knocking out the head4 ,the bottom should then be fixed in a hole dug to receive it1 and the earth allowed to reach to the brim4 ,some of the best manure to be had should then be put into this1 with a pound or two of guano1 and pour upon it three pails of water4 ,it should then be allowed to stand for a week or two1 and used as required4 ,the effects will soon show themselves in the increased growth and vigour of the plants4 ,,on ,,the ,,propagation ,,of ,,various ,,kinds ,,of ,,shrubs ,,and ,,plants4 ,besides sowing seed and rearing plants from them by transplanting1 there are many other ways of propagating plants1 namely1 by off-sets1 suckers1 layers1 divided-roots1 cuttings1 and pipings4 ,if tulips and hyacinths be examined1 it will be found1 that besides shedding seed1 the bulb of the plant very often makes a smaller bulb on the larger one1 and this1 if taken off and planted by itself1 becomes a new plant3 many plants may be propagated in this way4 ,the strawberry also1 will be found to send off a long shoot1 and1 at about a foot distant from the parent root1 a little knob appears1 having a bud to spring into the air and a root to work into the ground3 this is called a runner4 ,these may be cut away from the parent and planted separately1 and will become a new plant4 ,many other plants1 such as roses1 raspberries1 and lilacs1 send from their roots little thin stems3 these are called suckers1 and may be removed from the parent shrub and planted by themselves1 when they will become separate plants4 ,many plants can be propagated by what are termed layers4 ,to do this1 nothing more is necessary than to select a shoot1 as near the root as possible1 and having partially divided it with a knife1 make an upward slit in it1 and then placing a bit of twig between the divided parts1 press it down to the ground1 burying the joint beneath the surface of the soil4 ,to plant from cuttings1 some care is necessary as regards green-house plants1 but nothing is easier than to rear fresh stocks of roses1 currants and gooseberries from cuttings1 as it is only necessary to cut the shoots cleanly off1 and1 after reducing them to about six inches in length1 to place them in the ground with the shooting end upwards4 ,they should be planted about six inches apart1 and after the first year be removed to their proper situation2 and they will bear fruit in the following year4 ,to plant from pipings1 such as pinks and carnations1 it is only necessary to pull off one of the tubular stems1 and dividing it at or near the joint1 pull off the surrounding leaves1 and insert the end or jointed part in some fine sand-mould1 placing a glass over them till they have struck1 that is1 formed roots1 when they can afterwards be transplanted4 ,,pruning4 ,illustration ,little gardeners ought to know something of pruning trees4 ,to cut or prune gooseberry and currant-trees is very simple4 ,gooseberry-trees should be cut differently from currant-trees4 ,in gooseberry-trees1 much of the fruit grows on wood of the last year's growth1 but on currant-trees1 the fruit is1 for the most part1 found near the knob or joint between the old wood and the new4 ,to prune gooseberry trees1 all the old dead wood should be cut out1 and every branch that trails on the ground should be cut away1 all branches in the centre of the tree that intersect each other1 and all ugly branches1 should be removed1--all suckers should be taken from the root1 and the stem of the tree left straight and free to about ten or twelve inches from the ground1 and the tree trained to throw its branches into the kind of form in the margin4 ,the branches should then be cut1 i4 e41 about half of the white or new wood should be cut cleanly off with a sharp knife1 and the cuttings carefully gathered up4 ,illustration ,in cutting currant-trees1 nearly all the white wood should be cut away1 leaving only head shoots to some one single or middle shoot of a main branch4 ,the under-wood1 old wood1 and irregular and ugly wood1 should also be cut away1 as recommended at the cutting of gooseberries4 ,in pruning or cutting raspberries1 the old wood should be cut quite away1 and the stems of the last year shortened about one third4 ,,grafting ,,and ,,budding4 ,grafting is the transferring of a shoot of one tree into the stem of another1 called the stock4 ,into this a slit is made2 and then the scion or shoot is cut into the form of a tongue and inserted into it4 ,the head of the stock is then cut off in a slanting direction1 and the two are then tied together1 or closely wrapped together1 in moss1 covered with grafting clay4 ,no book can give directions so clear for grafting1 as to enable the young gardener to perform it successfully4 ,he must see it done1 try it afterwards1 and then ask if he has done it correctly2 and to learn grafting and budding well1 it is only necessary to get on the right side of the gardener4 ,the same may be said as regards the pruning of vines1 fruit and wall trees4 ,ten minutes' experience with the gardener will teach more than twenty volumes on the subject4 ,,shifting ,,of ,,crops4 ,crops must not be grown twice in rotation on the same ground4 ,peas and beans should be the crop after any of the roots1 such as potatoes1 carrots1 and parsnips4 ,cabbages1 and plants of that kind1 may be sown and grown intermediately4 ,the best rotation of crops will be found in any gardening book on the subject1 and this the young gardener should make a subject of some study4 ,,how ,,to ,,manage ,a ,,little ,,garden ,,all ,,the ,,year ,,round4 ,,january4 ,the chief wish of the little gardener this month is to take advantage of the hard frosts1 and during their prevalence1 to wheel upon his ground such manure as may be necessary4 ,it should be wheeled in at this time1 because1 while the frost is hard1 the wheelbarrow can pass over the paths and beds without doing much injury1 nor will the dung and rubbish in its moving make more dirt than can be easily swept up4 ,the manure should be left in heaps1 and not spread till the time comes for digging it in4 ,in the middle or latter end of the month1 should the weather be fine and open1 attention should be given to the cutting of the gooseberry1 currant1 and raspberry-trees1 and to the planting of off-sets from each1 or of cuttings1 as directed4 ,a crop of peas might be sown1 as well as mustard and cress1 and a few broad-beans for coming in early4 ,the peas and beans should be sown in rows1 about a yard apart1 and a little spinach might be sown in a broad drill1 made by the hoe between them4 ,the gravel-walks should be turned up in the first thaw and left in a ridge1 ready for turning down and rolling when the weather becomes fine and dry4 ,radishes may also now be sown in beds prepared by digging and freshly turned up4 ,the seed should be thrown in1 not too thickly1 and raked over4 ,straw should then be placed upon it to keep off the birds1 or a ,guy and feathers4 ,the straw must be kept over the beds in the frosty weather and during the night1 and taken off in the morning4 ,now is the time to plant bulbous roots1 such as snow-drops1 crocuses1 tulips1 hyacinths1 jonquils1 daffodils1 and flags2 and off-sets of bulbous roots may be planted in beds4 ,anemones and ranunculuses may also be planted in dry weather1 and some of the most hardy of the perennial and biennial shrubs1 as asters1 ,canterbury-bells1 and campanulas1 may be planted4 ,,february4 ,in ,february1 the young gardener will find much to do4 ,in the flower-garden1 he may finish planting the remainder of the bulbous roots1 such as the star of ,bethlehem1 fritillarias1 narcissuses1 and gladioluses1 in beds or borders1 all for flowering the same year4 ,some may be planted in pots to flower in the house1 or they may be placed in the hot-bed for early flowering4 ,some of the hardy annual flower-seeds may now be sown4 ,in the kitchen-garden1 if we may so call it1 a little crop of turnips may be sown to come in early4 ,cabbage-plants may be set in rows2 and a little lettuce-seed may be sown under the frame in the hot-bed4 ,this frame should be well covered at night1 and slightly raised in the day time1 when the weather is mild1 to give the plants within it light and air4 ,,march4 ,in the flower-garden1 the gardener may begin to sow in beds1 borders and pots1 larkspurs1 candy-tuft1 lupines1 sweet-peas1 ,venus's looking-glass1 pansies1 stocks1 sweet-scabius1 and many others4 ,in the culinary department1 now is the time to sow a little bed of onions in a well-manured bed4 ,a bed for carrots may also be prepared1 and the seed sown and well trodden down4 ,a bed of parsnips should also be prepared in the same way2 and another crop of peas of the marrow-fat kind may be planted in drills in the same manner as the former4 ,and now1 perhaps1 the cabbages will require the earth to be drawn to their stems2 and1 if the little gardener has room1 he may plant three or four rows of early potatoes4 ,they should be the cuttings of large ones1 with not more than two eyes in each piece1 and should be planted with manure in rows1 about two feet and a half apart and about a foot distant from each other4 ,,april4 ,now is the time to begin sowing the more tender annual flower seeds4 ,some should be sown in the hot-bed2 such as ,african and ,french marigolds1 ,indian pinks1 ,china-asters1 yellow-sultanas2 and many others of the hardy kind1 wall-flowers1 ,canterbury-bells1 ,french honey-suckles1 mignonette1 pinks1 and daises may be planted4 ,in the kitchen department1 kidney-beans may be sown1 and at the latter end of the month scarlet-runners and ,french-beans may be planted4 ,it is not a bad plan to raise a few scarlet-runners in the hot-bed1 and to plant them out when they have formed roots1 and two or three leaves at the head4 ,but as these kinds of beans are very tender1 they should be carefully watched1 and covered with straw on the sudden appearance of frost1 which often takes place in this month4 ,,may4 ,now may be sown the tenderest of the annuals in the hot-beds1 as cock's-combs1 tricolors1 balsams1 egg-plants1 ice-plants1 and others of that kind4 ,dahlias may also be placed in the bed in this or the former month1 and suffered to sprout1 previous to planting in the open ground4 ,bulbous roots of every flower now out of bloom1 and the leaves decayed1 may be taken up and the off-sets separated dry1 and housed for future planting4 ,now is the time to plant melons1 gourds1 and pumpkins4 ,the seeds of these should be sown in ,april in the hot-bed1 and the plants should be transplanted into good ground in a warm spot1 about the latter end of the month4 ,they will grow freely and produce ripe fruit in ,august4 ,common pumpkins may be sown on one of the dunghills4 ,the gourds1 such as the orange-gourd1 may be planted near an arbour1 and be trained up the principal parts4 ,french-beans and scarlet-runners may also be planted1 if not done before2 and should the young gardener have raised any tomatoes or capsicums in his hot-bed1 now is the time to plant them out1 as well as the slips of geraniums and tobacco-plants4 ,the young gardener will now find employment in sticking peas and beans1 weeding and transplanting4 ,and such broad-beans as are now in blossom1 should have their tops nipped off1 to promote the setting of the pods4 ,but let him be very careful to look after the weeds1 which now grow in great abundance2 and let him rake nicely all his borders and keep everything clean and neat1 as this is the most brilliant time of a garden's beauty4 ,,june4 ,look well to the strawberries1 and see that they are well watered1 which operation should be performed in dry weather every other day4 ,these plants will by this time have made their runners1 and these should be cleared away1 except those that may be required for making fresh beds1 which may now be planted4 ,trim the roots a little1 and cut off the strays or runners from each plant4 ,look well at this period1 morning and evening1 for snails and other insects1 and after showers of rain in particular4 ,if there should be any small cherry trees or other fruit trees1 they ought be netted or well watched1 or the birds will eat them4 ,all sorts of flowers may now be planted out into the borders4 ,some may also be put in pots1 such as balsams4 ,take care1 however1 that they are removed in damp or showery weather4 ,in dry weather1 take up tulips1 crown-imperials1 and jonquils1 such as are past flowering1 and pluck away the off-sets3 let them be well cleaned and dried in the shade from the mid-day sun2 then put each sort into separate bags or boxes1 and keep them in some dry apartment till ,september1 ,october or ,november1 at which time they will have to be planted again4 ,most other bulbs may also be now taken up and put away for future planting4 ,june is also the proper time to propagate pinks and carnations by pipings4 ,,july4 ,this is the time to plant out savoys and cabbages for winter use4 ,brocoli may also be planted1 and some seed sown for a late spring crop4 ,the plants raised from this seed will be ready to put out1 finally1 in the middle and towards the latter end of ,august and the beginning of ,september1 and will produce small heads in ,april and in the beginning of ,may4 ,lettuces may be now planted out1 and other seed sown for future use4 ,spinach for winter may also be now sown2 for this1 that part of the garden should be chosen that has the most of the winter's sun upon it4 ,now is the very best time in the whole year to sow the large black turnip-rooted radish for autumn and winter4 ,the young gardener must at this period be on the watch for such seeds1 both of flowers and garden vegetables1 as are ripe4 ,this should always be done in dry weather1--cutting or pulling up the stems with the seeds in4 ,they should then be spread in an airy place where the sun and wind will dry them thoroughly4 ,the various herbs1 such as balm1 penny-royal1 sweet-marjorum1 sage1 lavender1 marigolds1 should also be gathered up for winter use4 ,slips may now be planted from any of these4 ,take the side shoots of the branches four or five inches in length1 and plant them in a shady border1 and do not forget to give them water4 ,the ground should be kept clear at this period from refuse leaves1 stumps of cabbages1 haulm of peas and beans1 and from all decaying rubbish and litter4 ,cut box-edgings also2 and if the operation of budding is to be performed1 now is the time to do it4 ,,august4 ,look over the flowers in borders from day to day1 to see what they require4 ,when the shoots of rambling flowers interpose with each other1 they should be shortened1 so that every plant may stand singly1 as they always appear to best advantage when they stand clear of each other4 ,in this month1 we must still continue to look out for ripe flower-seeds2 also1 there are several kinds of autumnal flower-bulbs1 which may be planted1 such as the autumnal crocus and ,guernsey-lily4 ,now weed and water seedlings1 and shift such pot-flowers as require it into larger pots4 ,in doing this1 rub off the moulds and matted fibres from the roots1 and throw away part of the outward1 loose old earth4 ,then1 having put a little fresh earth into the old pots1 with a piece of broken tile over the hole in the bottom1 put in your plant1 and fill all the sides round with nice soft mould4 ,,september4 ,in the third or fourth week of this month1 it will be proper to begin to plant the choice hyacinth and tulip roots for an early spring blossom4 ,the bed should be dug at least one full spade deep1 breaking the earth fine and laying the bed even by raking1 and then plant the bulbs about six inches apart4 ,ranunculus beds or borders may be prepared in the same way1 and the plants planted similarly1 about two inches deep4 ,take care of the new carnation and pink pipings or layers1 and let them be transplanted as soon as convenient4 ,perennial plants1 such as carnations1 pinks1 and sweet-williams1 may now be transplanted4 ,now may be sown the seeds of bulbous flower roots1 as tulips1 crown-imperials1 hyacinths1 and most other bulbs4 ,evergreens may now be transplanted1 and much work be done in the preparation of manure1 and gathering in crops of various kinds4 ,,october4 ,this month again ushers in planting in various ways4 ,in the kitchen department1 beans may be planted for an early crop in the succeeding spring2 that is1 if the frost does not nip them4 ,a warm border1 under a south wall is the best place for them4 ,a few peas may be sown also1 to try the chance of the winter4 ,sow lettuce and small salad and radishes2 also transplant lettuces to situations to stand till the spring4 ,a few rows of cabbages for the winter and spring should now be planted1 and winter spinach sown4 ,now is a good time to begin to dig up parsnips and carrots to store away for winter2 and now all ground not in use should be well dug up and trenched1 to lie ready for the winter's frost to act upon it4 ,now gather various fruits as they are fully ripe1 and choose dry days for so doing4 ,,november4 ,the season is now closing1 yet a good deal is to be done by those who love a garden1--a vast deal of planting and transplanting of every variety of flowers4 ,roots of many may be separated1 and fresh sorts planted4 ,nearly every kind of bulbous roots1 if not previously planted1 may now be put in the earth4 ,the cuttings of gooseberry and currant trees may also be planted1 and young trees raised in the spring be transplanted to their proper situation4 ,it is also a good time to plant filberts1 hazel-nuts1 and barberries4 ,strawberry plants should have a dressing of good manure4 ,,december4 ,make neat the borders1 dig all loose ground1 turn the manure1 plant suckers from old roots1 roll green and gravel walks1 gather seeds on fine days1 cut away old wood1 nail fruit trees1 prepare hot-beds1 get matting to put over tender plants during the frost1 look over seeds1 and see that they are dry and properly put away and make all clean1 nice1 and neat for the coming spring4 99 99 99 99 99 ,such is an outline of what a boy may be expected to do with his little garden4 ,a great deal more is to be learned than can be learned from a book2 but if the young gardener will keep his eyes open1 reflect on the reasons for doing things1 and pay attention to the voice of experience1 he will probably reap more real delight from his few yards of ground than from all the toys and playthings he ever possessed4 ,,part ,,viii4 ,,carpentering4 ,illustration ,there is not a more useful and pleasant amusement than that of ,carpentering4 ,every boy should be able to do little jobs with the plane and chisel2 for whether he may turn out a gentleman or a poor man1 it will be of great use to him4 ,if a gentleman1 he can amuse himself with it1 and if a poor man1 it will be of essential service to be able to put up a row of palings in his garden1 to make a gate1 to build a pig-stye1 to make and fix up shelves1 build out-houses1 and perform sundry odd jobs about the house for his comfort and convenience4 ,every boy should have a box of tools1 and a bench to work at1 also a little room or loft for a workshop4 ,he ought to obtain good tools1 and by no means buy the boxes of rubbish sold to boys for their amusement4 ,he should go the ironmonger's and purchase the following tools2 of course1 out of his own savings1--his own pocket-money1--and not apply to his parents for it4 ,two saws1 one small and one hand-saw4 ,four gimlets of different sizes4 ,one pair of pincers4 ,one pair of plyers4 ,four chisels of different sizes4 ,one gouge4 ,two hammers1 large and small4 ,one mallet4 ,two bradawls4 ,two planes1 long and short4 ,two flies1 large and small4 ,one level4 ,one square4 ,one screw-driver4 ,nails1 screws1 rings1 glue-pot1 hone1 oil1 etc4 ,he must also manage to obtain a carpenter's-bench1 which he cannot very well do without1 and then he may begin carpentering with expedition4 ,,uses ,,of ,,the ,,various ,,tools4 ,,the ,,saw4--,before a saw can be used after it is purchased1 it generally has to be set1 as it is termed2 that is1 its teeth are to be sharpened and placed a little outwards from the plane of its length4 ,there are several kinds of saws1 namely1 the common hand-saw1 the key-hole saw1 and the small-toothed saw4 ,the first is to cut planks and thick pieces of wood2 the second is to cut holes in planks or boards2 the third is to cut small pieces of wood1 or those that require to be very nicely divided4 ,,the ,,plane4--,the plane is used to smooth boards with4 ,there are several kinds of planes4 ,the long plane and the short plane are the principal ones4 ,within the plane is the knife1 which is fastened in by a knock of the hammer on the wedge inside1 which is made so as to fix the edged knife at any distance from the bottom of the plane1 either for thin or thick shaving4 ,a very little direction from the carpenter will enable the young carpenter to fix his knife properly2 and a knock on the end of the plane with a hammer will loosen it in a moment4 ,the knife should be sharpened from time to time on the stone or hone4 ,this should be done with great care1 so as to preserve a proper angle at the edge and great evenness in every part1 otherwise1 the planing will be very imperfect4 ,in planing1 the wood to be planed is either laid flat on the bench1 with its end against the little pin1 to prevent its moving1 or fixed in the screw of the bench1 and the plane being brought upon the top or edge of the wood1 is pushed carefully1 but somewhat sharply along4 ,the shaving comes through the hole in the plane1 and must be cleared away1 from time to time1 out of the way of the knife4 ,everything planed should be planed perfectly level1 smooth1 and even4 ,illustration ,,the ,,chisel4--,the use of the chisel is to cut square or sharp-cornered holes in wood1 especially mortices4 ,a mortice is the hole cut in a post or other piece of wood1 in which another piece of wood cut to fit it1 called a tenon1 is put4 ,the tenon and mortice should both be cut exactly1 and so that they fit at right angles1 firmly and securely4 ,tenons and mortices are of perpetual use in carpentering1 and the young carpenter should learn as quickly as possible to make them4 ,,the ,,mallet is to be used instead of the hammer for a variety of purposes4 ,in cutting mortices1 it is the mallet and not the hammer that is used1 and in almost all cases where the chisel is employed1 the mallet should be used4 ,were we to use a hammer to knock the end of the chisel1 we should soon split its handle1 or so bruise it1 as to make it unservicable4 ,,the ,,gimlet ,,and ,,bradawl4--,the gimlet is used to bore awls with1 so that nails when they are driven in may not split the wood4 ,bradawls are used for the same purpose1 before smaller nails1 called brads1 are put in4 ,a bradawl is sometimes called a nail-piercer4 ,there is a thread gimlet now come into use1 but this requires much care in handling3 it must be very gently put in1 and very gently taken out1 or it will snap like a piece of glass2 but it is a very useful tool1 and is a great improvement upon the old gimlet4 ,,pincers ,,and ,,plyers4--,pincers are used to take loose nails out of wood1 to wrench off staples1 or other things that have been attached to wood4 ,plyers are a smaller kind of pincers1 and are used for small work in the same way4 ,they are very useful tools1 and it is impossible to do without them4 ,illustration ,,the ,,hammer4--,almost everybody knows how a hammer is used3 it is used to drive nails with1 and also to take them out4 ,the hammer used to take out nails1 is called a claw-hammer1 from its having a claw at one part4 ,the claw is placed under the head of the nail1 when the handle of the hammer becomes a lever1 and the head the fulcrum2 and1 placed in this position1 the hand acquires great power1--sometimes amounting to at least a hundred-weight4 ,in using a hammer1 we should always be careful to use the kind of hammer necessary for the work to be done4 ,,files4--,files are of various uses1 and we cannot do very well without them in carpentering4 ,there are several kinds of files3 one kind flat on one side and rounded at the other2 another is flat on both sides1 and another kind has three edges and three flat sides4 ,the first is used for rasping wood or other things down to a level2 and the others are used to file things into a point1 or to cut them in pieces4 ,,the ,,screw-,,driver is used to drive in and take out screws4 ,it ought to have a very hard tough edge and a long handle4 ,when placed in the head of the screw1 to drive in1 it should be turned from left to right1 and in taking out1 from right to left4 ,there is a particular way of getting out a screw1 which is only to be learned by a little practice4 ,the knack consists in combining with nicety the pressure on the screw-head and the turning of the driver4 ,the young carpenter will now and then find a very stubborn screw and fancy it quite impossible to get it out2 but by a little perseverance1 he soon finds out the knack of doing it2 and what seemed immoveable yields to his skill and strength4 ,there is one thing young carpenters frequently do1 and that is1 to use their chisels for screw-drivers2 the consequence of this is1 the spoiling of the chisel1 for the edges are sure to break away4 ,illustration ,,the ,,level4--,every piece of work should be square and level1 except when it is of a curved form1 and then it should be reduced to the principles of the circle or ellipse4 ,the level is used in putting up posts1 palings1 or work of any kind in an upright position4 ,it consists of a hoard of wood1 upon which a string is suspended1 having a plummet at the end of it1 which falls along a straight line at a right angle with the bottom of the level4 ,to obtain a perfect perpendicular and perfect horizontal1 the level is placed on the work till the line falls exactly over the nick at the top of the hole4 ,the square is principally applied to things made at the bench1 and is used to bring everything made to a right angle1 so that a true level and perpendicular is thus secured4 ,,stuff4 ,the young carpenter will find it very difficult to work without stuff4 ,he ought1 therefore1 to purchase a deal sawed into planks or boards1 consisting of one three quarters of an inch thick1 another one inch thick1 and another half an inch thick4 ,he ought1 also1 to obtain a slab not sawed at all1 to cut out as occasion may require4 ,he will then be provided with wood4 ,he must also lay in a stock of various kinds of nails1 screws1 rings1 hasps1 hinges1 etc41 and1 above all1 a good substantial box to keep his tools and other matters in4 ,this should be divided into compartments1 and everything should be arranged in it with neatness and order4 ,,labour4 ,the young carpenter ought to be fond of work2 and to feel a pleasure in it4 ,should this be the case1 there is scarcely an end to his labours4 ,he may make his hen-houses1 his rabbit-hutches1 his summer-houses1 his boxes1 seats1 rustic-chairs1 lattice-work and palings for his garden1 build out-houses1 and make book-shelves2 in short1 amuse himself with the manufacture of a great variety of things1 both for use and ornament1 and of which he may justly be a little proud4 ,such an amusement is infinitely superior to feats of conjuring and legerdemain1 tricks with cards1 and impositions of various kinds1 which are put in some books for the amusement of young people1 and which are highly pernicious both to their mental and moral progress4 ,,part ,,ix4 ,,keeping ,,poultry4 ,keeping poultry is an innocent amusement both for boys and girls4 ,domesticated animals1 unlike the free inhabitants of the country1 do not suffer from the loss of liberty1 and when they are well housed1 fed1 and attended to1 they are as happy in their state of domestication as they would be in their wild state of liberty2 perhaps1 more so1 and therefore it is quite right to keep them4 ,there is something very pleasant in watching the old hen as she sits so patiently on her nest1 and to see the little birds issue from the eggs1 with the proud but careful mother strutting by them1 and scratching and toiling to obtain them food2 and nothing is more touching to a sensitive mind than to behold her at the least chill of air1 or overcasting of the clouds1 calling her young brood under her wings for warmth1 shelter1 and security4 ,there are many lessons of good to be learned in fowl-keeping4 ,in proceeding to keep poultry1 the young poultry-keeper should first secure a proper place to keep them in4 ,he ought to be able to build1 if not the whole1 a great portion of his poultry-house1 which need not be on a very extensive plan2 but there are a certain number of little requisites belonging to it which ought not to be forgotten4 ,illustration ,,nature ,,and ,,situation ,,of ,,fowl-,,house4 ,illustration3 ,,side ,,view4 ,the situation of a fowl-house should be such as to afford sun and warmth in winter and spring1 and shade in summer4 ,it should be well covered in at the top1 free from damp1 have good ventilation and light1 with windows of lattice-work1 with boards behind to open and shut4 ,it should be placed against a wall with a slanting roof4 ,the side should contain one latticed window 7,a72 the front1 also1 a latticed window 7,b71 with a hatch-door1 partly latticed and partly boarded at the side4 ,a little door for the fowls should communicate with a fowl-yard1 as seen below4 ,illustration3 ,,front ,,view4 ---------------------------------------- -------------------- #d - --- ----------- - ------ ------------ ,h #a #f #b #c - ------ ------------ ----------- - --- #e ---------------------------------------- -------------------- ,the above is a sketch of the ground-plan of the house and fowl-yard4 ,h is the fowl house4 ,no4 #a is a small pit filled with dry sand and ashes1 in which the fowls may roll to free themselves from vermin4 ,no4 #b is another small trench or pit1 containing horse-dung and rubbish of various kinds1 to be frequently renewed1 in which they may amuse themselves in scraping for corn and worms4 ,no4 #c is a square of turf1 on which they may pasture and amuse themselves4 ,two or three trees ought to be planted in the middle of the run1 and these might be cherry or mulberry trees1 as they are very fond of the fruit4 ,nos4 #d #e are two little stone tanks for water1 and ,no4 #f is a pond for the ducks1 in case it should be thought advisable to keep such1 which ,i should strongly recommend to be done4 ,within the fowl-house there must be perches put up for the fowls to roost on4 ,these should be placed one above another at the corner1 and so disposed1 that one range of birds does not sit quite under the other1 for reasons which need not be explained4 ,at the bottom of the fowl-house1 but not under the perches1 should be placed the nest boxes1 from four to six1 as may be required1 in which straw should be placed for the hens to make their nests with4 ,the fowl-house and everything about it should be kept scrupulously clean1 and be frequently white-washed2 and it is good1 occasionally1 to fumigate the house by burning herbs1 and juniper and cedar woods4 ,,the ,,various ,,breeds ,,of ,,fowls4 ,these are very numerous1 and are becoming more so every day4 ,among them are the following3-- ,,the ,,dorking ,,breed4 ,so named from the town of ,dorking in ,surrey4 ,it is one of the largest of our fowls4 ,it is of an entire white colour1 and has five claws upon each foot1 generally1 for some have not4 ,they are good layers1 and their flesh is plump4 ,they make excellent capons4 ,,poland ,,breed4 ,the ,poland fowls are greatly esteemed1 but they are seldom to be met with pure in this country4 ,they were originally imported from ,holland4 ,their colour is shining black1 with white tufts on the head of both cock and hen1 springing from a fleshy protuberance or ,king ,david's crown1 the celestial in heraldry4 ,this breed lay a great quantity of eggs1 and are sometimes called everlasting layers4 ,they quickly fatten1 and are good eating4 ,,spanish ,,breed4 ,the ,spanish fowl1 with the ,hamburg and ,chittagong1 is a very large fowl1 laying large eggs1 and all seem more or less allied to the ,polish family4 ,they are well adapted for capons1 and produce eggs nearly equal in size to those of the ,malay hens4 ,this breed is now common1 particularly in ,london4 ,,bantams4 ,this breed is small1 but very beautiful4 ,it came originally from ,india4 ,they are frequently feathered to the toes2 but booted legs are not exclusively peculiar to ,bantams1 for ,bantam fanciers1 with ,sir ,john ,sebright at their head1 prefer those which have clean bright legs without any feathers4 ,the full-bred ,bantam-cock should not weigh more than a pound4 ,he should have a rose comb1 a well-feathered tail1 and a proud lively carriage4 ,the ,nankeen coloured and the black are the greatest favourites4 ,the ,nankeen bird should have his feathers edged with black1 his wings bordered with purple1 his tail-feathers black1 his hackles slightly studded with purple1 and his breast black1 with white edges to the feathers4 ,the hen should be small1 clean-legged1 and match in plumage with the cock4 ,for young persons1 ,bantams are the best kinds of fowls to be kept1 as they make but little dirt1 and are very gentle and pretty4 ,,choice ,,of ,,stock4 ,in commencing fowl-keeping1 it is important to choose young and healthy sorts4 ,there should be a two year old cock1 and pullets in their first year4 ,in choosing them1 we should note that the comb is red and healthy1 the eyes bright and dry1 and the nostrils free from any moisture4 ,the indications of old age or sickness are paleness of the comb and gills1 dulness of colour1 a sort of stiffness in the down and feathers1 increased length of talons1 loose and prominent scales on the legs4 ,there should be from four to six hens to one cock1 the latter being the extreme number2 and the conduct of the cock towards the hens should be watched1 for if he should be of a sulky1 selfish1 persecuting and domineering disposition1 the hens will be unhappy1 and he ought to have his neck wrung1 as a just reward for selfishness and tyranny4 ,,food ,,and ,,feeding4 ,fowls must be well fed1 but they should not have too much4 ,over-feeding is as bad for fowls as for men4 ,they ought not to be fed with stale or bad corn1 but of the best1 and now and then with a little buck-wheat2 with cabbage1 mangold-wurzel leaves1 and parsley1 which should be chopped fine4 ,where they are likely to be stinted for insect food1 small pieces of meat chopped up should occasionally be added to their food4 ,on the floor of the fowl-house1 a little sand should be occasionally spread1 and sandy gravel should be placed in the corners4 ,the small sharp stones found in gravel are absolutely necessary to fowls1 as they are picked up by the birds and find their way into the gizzard1 where they perform the part of mill-stones in grinding the corn4 ,,laying4 ,the early period of spring1 and after a cessation at the end of summer1 are the two periods at which fowls begin to lay4 ,when the period of laying approaches1 it is known by the redness of the comb in the hen1 the brightness of her eyes1 and her frequent clucking4 ,she appears restless1 and scratches and arranges the straw in her laying place1 and at last begins to lay4 ,she generally prefers to lay in a nest where there is one or more eggs2 hence it is of use to put a chalk egg into the nest you wish her to settle on4 ,the eggs ought to be taken from the nest every afternoon1 when no more are expected to be laid1 for if left in the nest1 the heat of the hens when laying each day will tend to corrupt them4 ,some hens will lay only one egg in three days1 some every other day1 and some every day4 ,to promote laying1 good food in moderate quantities should be given to the hens1 and also clean water4 ,a hen well fed and attended to1 will produce upwards of one hundred and fifty eggs in a year1 besides two broods of chickens4 ,some half-bred game hens begin to lay as soon as their chickens are three weeks old4 ,,preservation ,,of ,,eggs4 ,to preserve eggs fresh for a length of time1 it is only necessary to rub each egg with a small piece of butter1 which need not be larger than a pea1 or the tip of the finger may be dipped in a saucer of oil and passed over the shell in the same way4 ,eggs may be thus preserved for nine months4 ,,hatching ,,chickens4 ,the eggs given to the hen to hatch must be perfectly fresh2 they should be large in size1 the produce of the most beautiful birds1 well shaped1 and the number put under the hen should vary according to her size1 and may be from nine to thirteen eggs2 odd numbers1 old housewives say1 are the luckiest4 ,when a hen wants to sit1 she makes a particular kind of clucking1 and goes to her nest4 ,here she fixes herself for a period of three weeks1 at the end of which time1 the young chickens break the eggs and come out perfect beings4 ,they run about as soon almost as they are out of the egg1 and in twenty-four hours will take food4 ,on the first day of their birth1 chickens require nothing but warmth1 and they must be kept under the mother in the nest4 ,the next day1 they may be put under a coop and fed with crumbs of bread soaked in milk1 a few chicken's groats being added1 and the yolks of eggs boiled hard4 ,after being kept warm under the coop with the mother for five or six days1 they may then be turned a little in the sun1 towards the middle of the day1 and fed with boiled barley mixed with curds1 and a few pot-herbs chopped up4 ,at the end of a fortnight1 they may be left entirely to the care of the mother1 who will be sure to perform her duty4 ,such are the principal particulars regarding the keeping of fowls4 ,there are many books written on the subject3 one of the best of them is called the ,poultry-yard1 which may be consulted for further information4 ,,part ,x4 ,,bees4 ,illustration ,any humane person must be unwilling to keep what may be termed pets1 when1 as is very often the case1 they are taken from the freedom which nature has given them1 to be pent up in cages1 hutches1 and round-about boxes4 ,it is not a part of good moral training to encourage children to deprive anything of liberty1 and the keeping of rabbits1 guinea-pigs1 birds1 gold and silver fish1 white mice1 pigeons and squirrels1 is not only attended with a vast deal of trouble and expense1 but with a great many bad smells1 filth1 and dirt4 ,such matters1 have1 therefore1 been excluded from this volume1 as being by no means calculated to improve either the minds or morals of young persons1 but rather to have a contrary tendency4 ,these objections do not1 however1 lie against the keeping of bees1 which afford at all times lessons of industry1 of order1 of contrivance1 of perseverance1 and of many other virtues1 which are great ornaments to little boys and girls1 as well as to grown men and women4 ,we shall1 therefore1 give as copious an account of this interesting insect as we can1 and1 at the same time1 show the best methods of managing it with advantage to its possessor4 ,bee is the ,english name for an extensive genera of insects1--apis or the section anthophla or mellifera of modern classification4 ,the common domestic bee1 of which it is now our business to treat1 is the apis mellifica of ,linnaeus2 and it may be as well to state1 for the guidance of the young reader1 that the ,hive-bee is distinguished from all other species of bees1--by having the shanks of the hind legs furnished with a smooth and concave pollen-plate on the outer surface1 and destitute of spines at the extremity1--by the basal joint of the torsi in the working bees1 of an oblong form1 with its inner surface clothed with fine hairs1 disposed in transverse layers1--by the oblong shape of its body1--and by the feelers at the sheath of the tongue being almost obsolete and formed of a single point4 ,the ,hive-bee may be regarded as one of the most perfectly social species of insects1 and one whose economy is regulated by the possession of a more remarkable degree of instinct than is perhaps possessed by any other insect4 ,another peculiarity regarding bees is1 that there are not simply males and females among them1 but mules or workers1 or female non-breeders1 as they have been termed1 which constitute the great mass of the population of a hive4 ,they are smaller1 as regards size1 than the males or the female bees1 and it is to them that the internal economy of the hive is committed1 and upon them the whole labour of the community devolves4 ,moreover1 it is their duty to guard and protect the hive and the queen1 to feed the young1 and to kill the drones at the appointed time4 ,in a single hive there are sometimes not fewer than thirty thousand of these individuals4 ,they are distinguished from the breeding females by having a longer lip1 the jaws not notched at the tip1 and the sting straight4 ,the male bees1 of which there are several hundreds1 sometimes even two thousand in a full hive1 are idle creatures1 doing no work4 ,they are generally termed drones1 and they are of a more bulky size than the other bees1 and they are not armed with a sting4 ,such are the inhabitants of the hive2 the chief products of which are bees-wax and honey4 ,the former is secreted by the worker-bees1 by a peculiar apparatus on the under side of the belly1 as occasion requires1 and is employed for constructing the combs in which the family provision and the young brood are deposited4 ,honey is obtained by bees from the nectaries of flowers1 which1 it is well known1 are constantly secreting a sweet thick fluid4 ,this is sucked up by the tongue of the insect1 and a portion of it is consumed at once for its support1 but the greater part of the supply1 although taken into the stomach of the bee1 is again brought up 7regurgitated1 to use a hard word71 and poured into the cells of the hives for the food of the grubs and the use of the community through the winter4 ,illustration3 ,,queen ,,bee4 ,illustration3 ,,drone4 ,the cells into which the honey is poured for store are placed in the most inaccessible parts of the hive1 and are fitted with waxen lids1 but the honey destined for the use of the nurses1 workers1 and drones1 is deposited in unclosed cells4 ,in each honey-cell there is a cream-like layer or covering of a thicker consistency than the honey itself4 ,this layer is perforated by the bee with its fore-legs1 and is closed before the bee flies away4 ,having thus noticed the inhabitants of the hive1 we will now turn our attention to the hive itself4 ,the most profound philosopher1 as well as the most incurious observer1 is struck with astonishment on inspecting the interior of a bee-hive4 ,he beholds a city in miniature4 ,he sees this city divided into regular streets2 and these streets composed of houses constructed on the most exact geometrical principles and the most symmetrical plan2 some serving as store-houses for food1 others for the habitations of the citizens1 and a few1 much more extensive than the rest1 destined for the palace of their sovereign4 ,he perceives that the substance of which the city is built1 is one which man with all his skill is unable to fabricate1 and that the edifices in which it is employed are such as the most expert architect would find himself incompetent to erect4 ,the nest1 as constructed by the insects1 consists of a continued series of combs1 arranged vertically1 each of which consists of a vast number of cells1 forming two ranges backed against each other1 and1 consequently1 placed in a horizontal position4 ,a sufficient space is left between each of these double layers of cells to allow a couple of bees1 engaged upon the opposite cells1 to work without incommoding each other4 ,in addition to these spaces1 the combs are perforated in various places1 so as to allow the bees a passage from one street to another1 thus saving them much time4 ,but it is in the construction of the cells themselves that the most admirable instinct is displayed4 ,geometricians are aware1 that in order to occupy a given space with solid objects of equal size and similar form1 without any useless interstices1 three figures only can be adopted1 namely1 the equilateral triangle ,illustration1 the square or cube ,illustration1 and the regular hexagon ,illustration4 ,of these three geometrical figures1 the hexagon most completely unites4 ,it is a remarkable circumstance1 that in a new colony the design of every comb is sketched out1 and the first rudiments laid1 by a single bee1 which having disengaged itself from the swarm1 commences the building of cells1 which is then taken up by the other wax-makers1 and1 subsequently1 by the nurse bees1 which give the finishing stroke to the cells2 and so quick are the bees at their work1 that a comb1 twenty-seven inches long1 by seven or eight inches wide1 is built in four and twenty hours1 and in five or six days they will fill the hive4 ,the combs are attached to the roof and sides of the dwelling1--the hives or boxes to the floors and roofs4 ,there are three sorts of cells3 the first one for the larvae of workers1 and for containing the honey1--these are of the ordinary form2 the second are for the grubs of the males or drones1 being considerably larger and more substantial1--they usually appear near the bottom of the combs2 the third are the cells for the females1 of which there are usually three or four1 and these are generally attached to the ceiling part of the comb1 having very little wax in their composition4 ,one of these cells considerably exceeds in height the ordinary ones1 and they are not interwoven with them1 but suspended perpendicularly1 their sizes being nearly parallel to the mouths of the common cells1 several of which are sacrificed to support them4 ,after the queen bee has quitted her cell1 it is destroyed by the workers1 and its place occupied by a range of common cells4 ,the queen bee deposits her eggs separately at the bottom of each cell3 the egg is of a lengthened oval shape1 with a slight curve1 and of a bluish colour4 ,the worker's eggs1 which are the only ones laid by the queen during the first eleven months1 hatch in a few days1 and become little white maggots4 ,each is now fed with bee bread by the workers1 very assiduously1 and1 at the expiration of six days1 having attained its full size1 it is roofed in by the workers1 spins a silken cocoon1 which occupies it for thirty-six hours1 and then becomes a nymph or pupa1 and1 eleven days after this1 quits its case1 eats through the roof of the cell1 and comes forth a perfect working bee4 ,for nearly twelve months1 the queen bee deposits only workers' eggs2 after which period1 however1 she commences laying those of drones4 ,as soon as this change takes place1 the workers begin to construct the royal cells1 in which1 without discontinuing to lay male eggs1 she deposits now and then1 about once in three days1 an egg destined to produce a future queen4 ,the food of the royal grubs has been termed royal jelly4 ,it is a pungent food prepared by the workers for the express purpose of feeding the grubs that are to be future queens1 and is more stimulating than the food given to the common grubs4 ,should it happen1 as is sometimes the case1 that the queen bee be killed1 or the hive in any manner be deprived during the first eleven months of her existence1 and before she has deposited any royal eggs1 the most extraordinary circumstances occur4 ,after a little while1 a hubbub commences1 work is abandoned1 the whole hive is in an uproar1 every bee traverses the hive at random1 with the most evident want of purpose4 ,this state of confusion sometimes continues for several days1 then the bees gather in knots and clusters of a dozen or so1 as though engaged in consultation2 shortly after which1 a resolution appears to have been taken by the whole population4 ,some of the workers select one of the worker-eggs1 which had been previously deposited by the lost sovereign4 ,three cells are thrown into one for its reception1--the eggs in the two other cells being destroyed4 ,the grub when hatched is fed with the royal jelly1 and a queen is produced4 ,even if the grub had been hatched and partly fed as a worker1 and had only received two or three days' allowance of the royal food1 the result would be the same1--they emerge from the pupa perfect queens whereas1 had they remained in the cells which they originally inhabited1 they would have turned out workers4 ,we now come to that period of the year when the queen insects1 having undergone the change to the pupa state1 are nearly ready to burst into life4 ,it is now that the old queen mother1 losing all her parental feelings1 becomes infuriated3 she rushes to the cells wherein are deposited the future queens1 and instantly begins to tear them open4 ,the guards which surround the cells make way for her approach1 and suffer her to act as she pleases1 whereupon she slaughters the inmates with her sting1 without remorse1 and1 after a short time1 a great portion of the working bees accompanying her1 rushes out of the hive1 and seeks another dwelling4 ,this is called swarming4 ,something very like concerted action and foresight seems to belong to these proceedings4 ,it is always in calm weather1 when the sky is serene1 between nine in the morning and four in the afternoon1 when they quit their habitation4 ,after flying about for some time in a cluster1 by degrees they fix themselves on a branch1 form a group there by hooking themselves one to another with their feet1 and remain perfectly tranquil4 ,then it is that the proprietor may secure them1 and form a new colony4 ,in this manner several swarmings take place in the course of the summer between the months of ,april and ,august4 ,a good stock of bees usually produces three swarms in a favourable season3 each swarm containing not only the young bees recently hatched1 but also a portion of the old inhabitants4 ,the duration of life of the different individuals is various3 the male bees only live a few months1 the workers only one or two years1 and the queen only four or five4 ,such is1 in brief1 the birth1 parentage1 education1 life1 character1 and behaviour of the honey-bee1 and it will be only necessary now to say a few words regarding the management of these insects1 with a view to instruction1 amusement1 and profit4 ,,how ,,to ,,get ,a ,,stock ,,of ,,bees4 ,they must be purchased1 and the purchaser must take care and procure them of some one upon whom he may depend4 ,this will save a great deal of trouble4 ,the hive should be weighed before and after a swarm is placed in it1 and a note kept of its weight1 a judgment may then be formed of the quantity of honey it contains in the autumn4 ,the hives should be sheltered by a wall1 a hedge1 or a tuft of trees1 in order that the bees may get to the door of the hives with ease4 ,this they cannot do if there are gusts of air sweeping round it1 in which case1 numbers of them will fall to the ground about the hive1 from which1 perhaps1 they will not be able to rise before the chill and damp of the evening comes on and destroys them4 ,there must be water near the hives1 as the working bees drink a great deal in the spring1 and they are very fond of walking along straws which float in the water and sipping as much as they want4 ,the door of the hive should look towards the forenoon sun1 and the hive should not be raised above eighteen inches from the ground4 ,we will now suppose that your bees have laid up their winter store1 and that you wish to share it with them4 ,we say share it1 because we do not suppose you are so cruel and foolish as to wish to kill your bees4 ,you might as well kill a cow for the purpose of getting milk4 ,the more bees you have1 the more honey1--that is certain4 ,about the latter end of ,september1 the flowering season is over1 and few flowers remain for the bees to get honey from4 ,this is the best time to ascertain what honey they can spare2 therefore1 weigh every hive1 and deduct from it the weight of the hive and the bees1 as ascertained when the swarm entered it at first1 as above directed4 ,to live through the winter1 a hive must have at least sixteen pounds of honey1 and if you wish it to swarm early1 it ought to have twenty-five or even thirty pounds4 ,when you determine on taking away the honey from a hive1 either for your own use or for distributing it to other hives1 proceed as follows3-- ,the first fine calm morning after the honey season is over1 go to your hive provided with a tobacco-pipe in your mouth1 a large dish for the honey in one hand1 and a long knife with the point bent1 and a goose or turkey feather in your other4 ,blow two or three full puffs of smoke in at the door1 then turn the hive upside down on the ground1 so as to stand steadily1 and immediately give the bees1 who will collect on the edge of the comb to see what is going on1 a little more smoke4 ,this will stupify them so completely1 that not above one or two will be able to fly out1 and they will be so sick1 that they will not dream of stinging you4 ,begin at one side of the hive1 and cut out a comb1 having first sent down a puff of smoke to make the bees go away to the middle and the other side4 ,proceed thus1--sweeping the bees off every comb back into the hive with the feather1 till you come to the centre comb4 ,the only nicety consists in blowing away the bees to prevent any of them being crushed4 ,if the operation be neatly done1 scarcely any bees will be killed4 ,take the hive now and replace it on its stand as before4 ,the next thing to be done is to join the bees1 from which the honey has been so taken1 to another hive in which you wish them to be accommodated1 which may be done as follows3--,in the evening1 if you look into the hive which has been deprived of its honey1 you will find all the bees hanging in the centre1 just like a new swarm4 ,bring the hive near the one to which they are to be joined1--get about a table spoonful of raw honey or syrup1 so thin as to pour easily1 and have it in a jug beside the hive which is to receive the strangers1--blow a few whiffs of tobacco smoke in the door of the hive1 then turn it up and give them an additional puff or two1 and pour the honey or syrup from the jug all over the bees between the combs1 so that they may be quite smeared over4 ,then spread a clean linen cloth on the ground in front of the hive1 with one edge of it placed on the floor of the hive and secured there by two stones1 to prevent its falling1 and which will also serve to keep the hive a little raised from its floor on that side2 now replace the hive so that the edge of the cloth may be under it while the two stones keep it raised about an inch2 next take the hive containing the bees1 hold it steadily over the cloth1 and by one sudden blow1 knock out all the bees upon the cloth in a lump4 ,they will immediately begin to climb up and enter the new hive4 ,if they were to be united without previously smearing one of them with honey or syrup1 the chance is1 that half of both hives would be killed by fighting4 ,hives may be either of straw or wood4 ,bees thrive equally well in either4 ,in winter the hives should be placed in a northern exposure1 or1 at any rate1 the sun should not be allowed to shine too much on them1 as it entices the bees out1 who often perish by sudden cold4 ,you ought to keep at least three hives3 ,nos4 #a1 #b #c4 ,no4 #a is the first or old one1 say1 of last year2 ,nos4 #b #c of this year's swarming1 and these must be so managed as to supply you with honey and the bees with food4 ,this is well explained in a little book called the ,farmer1 which those who wish to keep bees ought to study4 ,such are the most important facts regarding the bee and its management4 ,there are many little works on the subject to be obtained1 but the few directions in the work above named will be ample information for the young bee-breeder1 and ensuring him lots of honey1 lots of lessons of economy1 and lots of amusement4 ,,the ,,end4 ,j4 ,,wertheimer ,,and ,,co41 ,,circus ,,place1 ,,finsbury ,,circus4