The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1890-04-30

trench cut extending from the summit
to the base, and frequently mile or
more on the flat, the distance varying ac
cording to the nature of the surrounding
country. This trench was always kept
clear of vegetation when not in use, and
could be plainly seen from u considera-
BILE distance. When tho season came for
the game the trench was lined with dry
grasses so as to make the sleighs run
faster. The players assembled at the
top of the mountain and one of them,
drawing back some little distance from
the trench, raised his sleigh in his hands,
and running at full speed threw himself
bodily into the trench with his sleigh
underneath him. Falling upon the
slippery; dry grass, it shot forward
down the incline at q terrific pace AS
the angle was frequently as high as
forty to forty-fve degrees, it is mat
ter of wonder that scores Of riders
were not killed in that headlong flight
The winner was the man who travelled
the farthest. So excited did the players
become that they frequently wagered
their huts, their lands-everythin they
possessed, even to their wives and chill
dren-on the result of the sport. Cases
are recorded where, sixty years ago, men
who had lost rything also staked their
own bones, to he made into fish hooks
and arrow heads after their death.
THE CANADIAN oDABoGGAN.
The pastime has existed for centuries
among these people, and the history of
it's eventful introduction into America
and it's subsequent development is very
interesting. The first use Of the tobog-
gan in this country is said to have been
as hand sleigh used by the Indians
when on snow shoes, on which to pack
their pelts. These sleighs were used ex
tensively in the early wars between the
French, English and Indians, and were
found invaluable in transporting camp
baggage through the northern wilds.
French writer's call them the train
savage, but the Indian name was oda-
boggan. The sleigh was turned up at
both ends, while the modern one turns
up at one end only. Sixty years ago the
British officers at Montreal emulated the
Pacific islanders by sliding on these oda-
boggans down the slopes of Mount Royal,
and the pastime, becoming popular,
spread until it finally crossed the Cana
dian line and located at Saratoga, N. Y,
which may APPLY be termed the 'home
of the toboggan." Here was erected the
first artificial slide, which still ranks as
one of the finest in the country, although
many others have been erected at greater
expense by clubs and private Individuals
So popular has this sport become in
winter that modification Of it will be
adopted for the summer at Fort Hamil-
ton and Ocean Grove, N. j. At both of
these places long, solid side will be
built, extending from the land over into
the water, the end of it being slightly
above the water line, so as to insure the
toboggan clearing the slide in its run.
Not having the smooth surface Of the
snow or ice to produce speed and easy
transit, the flooring of the slide is to he
fitted with a number of small iron wheels
four feet abreast, and each row about
two feet apart over tine entire length of
the slide. The toboggan is intended to be
of the usual shape, and will run rapidly
over these rollers to the water, turning
over as it reaches it and upsetting the
riders in all directions. A trial of this
idea proved SO successful that q leading
feature will be made of it at these two
resorts. Brooklyn Eagle.