The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1869-07-16

in many places. -.
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Yours, truly, W. W. DE- LACY.
Professor 4. X. EATON.
Mile Race Tracks.
lrrom wilkes Spir,l . ...~s, ssnc ~@I
The most approved shape for = arace.course
is an oblong, with curved enda The reason
why this form is preferable to any other 10,
because it affords two straight sides, on
which the horses may be INDUCED in their
utmost bursts of speed; and because 1t OBJ
viates the objection to the CONTIGUOUS slop-
ine.gratle necessary 10 the track Of u perfect
circle The turns also have their advantage;
for inasmuch ss horse can only be kept at
the top of his speed for about 400 yards,
he gets involuntary relief at each end,
however desperately or unjocky like he may
be managed. The following directions may
taken a. q guide: Select level Geld of -
acres; draw through the centre of it =
straight line Of 44Oysrds (aquarter of milel.
On each side of this line, at IN exact dis.
lance Of 40 yards from It, draw parallel
lines of equal length, 20 that the space be-
tween the two outer lines will be $50 yards
This being done, drive stake At each end
of the centre line; fastsn . cord thereto;
extend the outer cord at right angles for
40 yards until II touches the end Of tho
outer line, and then descrihe with the q.
treme end OF the cord an outer curve OF semi.
circle between the ends Of the two outer
lines. You will then have the shape you
want; the continuous outer line describing
it being exactly . mile [1,760 yards] In
length, divided into four sections Of = quar-
ter of mile t440 yards] each, and enclosing
AZ acres of ground. From this outer line or
track, set the fence of the course three feet
back on the straight sides and four feet back
on the curves, - the jockey or driver 10 gov
erned by the line Of the fence, and when
swinging round the turns he reqsiees .
larssr na.ssin than on the straight runs,
where he can lie close. The same endeavor
will be made BY the jockey 70 cling TO the
fence on the turns, but the swerve will be %
great - to throw him into the true line. Il
should slso be observed that the inner horse,
which has had the advantage on the straight
aides, 10 thrown further OF than his compet-
itors at the ends, in consequence Of tho
greater sharpness Of his turns, while the
outcro ones are compensated for their previous
disadvantages by having IN easier curve to
make. In this way IN exact mile (as near
. may bel 10 preserved for the actual foot.
track of all the horses. In brief, then, mark
out for your course parallelogrsm Of 44o
yards long and $50 yards wide, with curves
thrown out at the ends Of equal length with
the aides, and you have the course you want.
The 6rse distance.post ID At 90 yards from
the judges stand the second At $40 yards;
and the ssars ls 60 ya.ds before entering he
turn. We would remark here that the track
should be graded round the turns, like the
track of : railroad Or circus, The outer por-
ton highest, 20 that horse can extend him.
self at full speed, - well around tho turns
- on the straight sidea The grand stand
should be opposite the judges stand, at .
distance Of about 80 feet back from tho
track, In order that It may command IN
oblique view of the entire homestretch, or
straight side. If too close upon the track,
the horses can scarcely be seen after they
have como out Of the last turn until near
the judges stand. Moreover, - races eel.
dom take place before 2 O'Clock In the after.
noon, regard should be had TO the protection
Of the spectators from the sun, BY making
tho grand stand face 70 the east Finally,
by way Of showing the effects Of difference
Of position among the horses, 20 fsr - dis
tance is concerned, It 10 well 70 state that
every yard beyond the true line Of tho track
makes an addition Of about six yards to the
COxNa STATE ELICTIoNa.-.The follow.
inc Il n Hat ~ QH>en o1n~tSns,s a. - 4 -