Smyrna times., 1892-06-15
A FINE TROTTING TRACK.
THE NEW ONE MILE KITE-sHAPEn
COURSE AT KIRKwooD.
The Maple ValIeu's EnterDrise

10y u @1fttCf Di toCs
Through the courtesy of Georoa w
boyd' the assistant general passenger
agent OF the Pennsylvania Railroad. q
special car was attached to the 10 3e
a. m. train on Friday, for the benefit OF
a large party of newspaper men from
New York, Philadelphia Baltimore
and Washington, who were to visit the
great "klte-shaped track" which has
Just been completed on the grounds al
the Maple Valley Trotting Association
at klrkwOOd, Del. The track is one
mile in length, and as its name imnlies
Is IN the shape of kite, there beinp
nom the starting post, One.tbird of 3
mile stralghtaway, then curve, form
ing lhe perfect segment of a circle to
the homestretch, which is again
straightaway to the end. This is the
only track of its kind in the east and
the third in the country, one being
located at stockton, Cal, and owned
by Senator Leland Stanford, another
at Independence, Iowa. The work of
grading and laying out the track was
done under the immediate supervision
OF william SOmers, of PHILADELPHIA
who built the Gloucester track. and if
Is SAID by competent judges to possess
points OF superiority over its two
western prototypes. A novel idea is
introduced in the watering apparatus
by which the track can be th0rougbIv
sprInkled in 10 minutes and that with.
out the aid of the cumbrous and heavy
wheeled cart SO long in use.
A NOVEL TRACK SPRINKLER.
The process is a simple but an in
genlous one, and was designed by the
secretary of the association. J. C.
Mccoy. Along the fence runs line of
Z-lnch pipe, fed from q $1,000 gallon
tank IN a 6O-fOot tower, placed lust to
the rear Of the grand stand. The water
is drawn from a u foot well and forced
up oy WorthingtOn pump. Every
thlrty feet along the mile of 2.inch
pipe IS three-quarter pipe connected
by swing joint, which, when extend
ed out over the track set an automatic
tihree-oranched sprinkler in motion.
throwing the water evenly and with
sufficient force to reach on either side
to the next extended joint.
When it is desirable to wet the
track, four men in rubber coats. hats
and boots, start at equidistant points
and with an iron hook pick mn the
branch pipes and swing them around
at rig BIT angles to the main one. and
then keeping on around the track and
throwing back in place the spripklers.
which IN the time taken to extend had
performed their dust LAYING mission
The grounds comprise in all over 700
acres OF beautiful country land. 1t lies
ABOUT three-quarters of a mile from
Alrkwood Station, on the Delaware
DIVISION OF the Pennsylvania Railroad. |
'oout % miles from Philadelphia.
RACES EVERY SATURDAY.
There will be races for purses every |
saturday afternoon throughout the |
eason, and the Pennsylvania Railroad |
making arrangements to carry the
overs OF honest racing on a good
rack, whose motto is as above. On
nterIng the grounds, there stands a
oomy, old-fashiOned farm house. with
'lde porches aud rOOmy chairs thereon
nVItlng to ease and comfort. Some
0O feet back Of the mansion are the
'rlvate stables and carriage houses.
Vhlle OIL to the west are eight large
tables Tor the use of visitors and pa.
rons OF the track. Everywhere is the
Vldence of cleanliness and neatness
nd the spacious stalls and modern
ppllances for the comfort and training
I the trOtters, show how thoroughly
n earnest are the projectors in their
to have the best track
money and judgement can obtain. Toi
his end about $4,000 have been we'll
pent, and when on the opening dav.
'hlch will be on July 4, the grand
tand contains its share of the $4,000 ,
eopie it is destined to seat, the officers
nd directors of the association. will no
oubt be amply satisfied with the re-
llt OF the time, labor and money thew
ave spent on the enterprise. 8
ELL KNOWN TROTTERs EXPECTED l
Negotiations are now pending to
ave at the track Mr.. AxteIps team
men recently made record of 2.13f i
Belmont; the celebrated Axtell. I
nose wonderful performances are
ell known to all who are interested
trotting,- and the trotting dog. =
Doc" together with his diminutive
river.
The races on this day will be for the a
lie 2.45, 2.33 and 2.22 classes. and o
lndsome purses will be given. The d
APPLE Valley Trotting Associations is d
both the American and National
ssociatiOns and good class of horses =,
i'll doubtless participate in the rae II !
g. b
All these Improvements and won
srs were shown and the above infor- ;,
alton furnished by the President. A. "
:. Cooper, and the treasurer, ]. c. q
cCoy, who feel a just pride In the q
Ork they have accomplished, and %
ho on this occasion did their utmost
make the occasion a pleasant one h
their visitors, succeeding as we'll as IL
ey have with this new enterprise
liLG. Times.