Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-05-03

Southern Hcat Euiit on the Plan of n
Prairie Schooner.

From the New York Herald.
To the seeker after rest and recreation
land yachting offers the charm of novelty
combined with the many and varied pleas
ures of camp life. 1t offers an outdoor ex
istence without the restrictions of a fixed
abode. II affords a acknowledgement least a
view-of the country in any desired direc-
tion. 1t enables one to study nature. not
in a limited field, but wherever fancy may
suggest and time permit. 1t offers the ar
fist continual variety of scene, the dis
ciple of Izaak Walton a diversity of tinny
sport. the hunter change of game, and
the ordinary family a prolonged picnic,
subsequent good health, happiness and sun
Drowned skins which will be the envy of
all behOlders.
In Georgia, Florida and other southern
states land yachting is more popular than
in any other part of the country. After
trimming the orange trees In April the
growers have nothing to do until Septem-
Der Vegetable gardeners at liberty by
July and join the orange growers in their
outing
Each family has It's yacht-a sturdy wa
gOn drawn by mules In ii they embark,
leaving house orchard and garden to shift
alone during the lazy months. and the
round of visiting begins. Families who have
friends or relatives in distant parts of the
state or in states adjoining journey slowly
thitheT to spend few days in pleasant re-
ton In view. Scraping acquaintance with
other yachters and managing in a hun
dred ways TO have an enjoyable time.
Land yachting has not yet been attempt
ed on an extensive scale IN the north. There
Is no reason. however. why 1t should not
81 time become as popular as canoeing or
Adirondack camping.
The best land yacht Is built. so far as
shape is concerned. to somewhat resemble
the oid-fashioned prairie schooner. The
length Is from sixteen to twenty-five feet.
The width is six feet more at the top
of the wagon bed, which is twenty-four to
thirty inches deep. Berths are arranged
in two ways Springy boards, three and
half feet wide, are sometimes laid across
the top Of the wagon. On these the bed
ding is placed, the one at the rear being
made UP first, and so on forward. Curtains
strung across the top separate the beds
Air is admitted through flaps In the can
vas. one at the head and one at the foot
of each berth
In another arrangement the boards run
length wlse along the sides Of the wagon.
supported by iron brackets. Boards brack-
cts and all are removed in the daytime and
slowed snugly away. In some yachts the
problem is solved by swinging hammOcks
across the wagon. the side poles being made
especially strong for that purpose If the
party is a large one a small tent and camp
beds are generally included in the outfit
Along both sides of the wagon bed are
arranged lockers in which 10 keep dishes.
bedding. table linen. clothing and other
necessary articles. An ice box under the
drivers seat extends the width of the wa
gon- In it are kept meats. milk. butter and
the like A good supply of towels is neces-
sary to every outfit. Bathing suits, too.
are important
A mirror hanging in the rear of the wa
gon Is IN position to catch the light and
"a swinging bookcase in the corner affords n
place for summer literature. A camp stove
Is almost necessity Camp chairs and
folding table occupy little room and add
much TO the comfort of the outing. 1t is
quite possible in twcnty-fOOt wagon to
stow away all the belongings Of six or
eight persons and still have room to spare.
Mules are considered the best team be-
cause OF their great strength and sureness
of foot. single team is enough unless
the country traversed is exceedingly noun
famous Even in that case an additional
team * easily hired when needed from
convenient farmer
Amusements include all those recognized
as belonging to the open aiT-fishing hunt
ing and kindred enjoyments for persons of
active tastes while for lazy members of the
party hammOCkinE. reading and occasional
stroiis help TO pass the time. The yachts
course may be So shaped as to pass near
the homes Of friends. and the interchange
Of visits will add IN the outings pleasure
In the starlit evenings music and dancing
on the green are very enjoyable
Land yachting is inexpensive when COM
pared with other forms Of summer living
A wagon. new and Of excellent make can
BE- bought and fitted up for 600 A like
sum viii buy team Of mules and not in
frequently a good team will be found for
SFi less. $40 more for double harness makes
the full-rigged yacht cost $40. two-thIrds
Of which can he realized by the sale of the
outfit in the fall