Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-05-08

The English long bow was precisely
the same weapon used by the Asiatic
tribes, but no other nation ever brought
archery to such perfection as it
reached in England after the fusion of
the islanders with their conuuerers.
Indeed, for centuries-that is, from the
conquest by the Normans up to near the
close OF the sixteenth or perhaps till the
beginning of the seventeenth century.
nothing could so startle nation, or carry
such advanced prestige, as the news of the
approach of an army of English bowmen
But archery is no longer a military accom-
plishment among civilized people, and
firearms have supplanted the bow and ar
rows as weapons of the chase. For sport
however, and for healthful and elegant ex-
ercise, nothing can equal archery But
one must know how to arm himself and
also how to use his weapons after they are
made, before he can enjoy the practice of
archery even at target-shooting, much less
hunting game for sport.
Any one possessing ordinary skill in
using edged-toOls can make very good
bow by following my directions, viz:
Get billet of split mulberry, To-
Gust, or sassafras-wood, six feet long
ana three inches square, and see that
1t contains no bad knots, dotted
places or cracks. With a drawing
knife shave this billet down to cross-sec-
ton, elllptical in form, of one inch by two
inches, after which cut off to the proper
length, say five feet eight inches. and grad
ually scrape the piece down from the mid
die, slowly tapering to the ends, where
deep notches must be cut to receive the
string. BY bending the bow now and then
ia f,>..
easily be able to give it the proper curve
which should be flat, sem-ellipse.
A very good arrow is made by trimming
stick of tough hickory down to a circu-
lar cross-scction of one-tifth of an inch in
diameter, smooth and straight, which may
be headed with steel point or cap Of
pewter. The end opposite the head should
have deep, clear notch to fit the bow
string. The teathering of the arrow must
be nicely done, or the missile will be
worthless. Take strips of the stiff part of
the down Of goose's wing feather and
glue them longitudinally on opposite sides
OF the shaft near the notch. If the arrow is
to be used in damp weather, a fine silk
thread, IN addition to the glue, may be
used to tasten on the feather
Flax Or silk makes the best bowstrinr.
1t should be twisted very hard, and we'll
waxed. With such a bow and arrow as |
have described, | have seen a bird killed
at the distance Of ninety yards by an anna
teur archer
Archery was revived in England in 1914
and became very popular as pastime,
but am not aware Of any successful
toxOphilite organizations in the United
States. Such organizations, however if
properly managed, would no doubt meet
with success here, and be received by the
people with greater favor than even base
ball companies.
Ladies may become expert archcrs, and
the sport recommends itself to them, in
that, while it gives them excellent physical
exercise, it also "shows off" their form
and graces to the very best advantage.
The greatest objection to archery here in
America is, that we cannot bear tie
thought Of wringing any kind of pleasure
out Of an implement not sold to us by a
patent-right agent or pedler-James Hau-
rice Thompson, IN Appleton's Journal