New-York tribune., 1900-07-19
REVIVAL OF CROQUET.
TENNIS IS BEING SUPERSEDED BY THE
LESS VIOLENT GAME.


The whirljgtg OF time has brought about re-
newed interest in croquet as an outdoor game and
many lawns Of country homes display croouet
stretched. Il has been discovered that tennis is
violent game for the majority Of women
and when the exigences Of golf are too fatgufng
then the game Of croquet is called upon as a re-
taxation
The manufacturers are buster this season they
say, than they have been in twenty years
In 1870 croquet became the rage in London
through the enthusiasm Of "Cavendish'' Jones who
was instrumental in laying out twelve croquet
courts a. Wimbledon, where fine pavilion was
built as well two three thatched summer
houses In 1880 came lawn tennis, which soon
evLcted crOquer. and everything and everybody be-
longing 10 IL but since 1886 the game has been
gradually creeping back 10 favor.
a certain Englishman objects TO croquet as 'eri-
nenty conducive TO bad temper and selfshness. -
On the other hand II is claimed that croquet in
duces sef-control and that this quality is seen to
remarkable extent at croquet tournaments The
moral OF the croquet world most emphaticauy is
that temper must be controlled, and sooner or
later those who may have shown any tendency to
display unworthy feelings have to learn better.
CONDITION OF THE LAWN
The lawn TO be in perfect condition for croquet.
must have the grass cropped short and kept moist
and green On hard and dry grounds the balls are
liable give irritating little leaps just they
passing the object hole.
The game Of croquet should be played, accord
ing 70 the American custom. grounds nearly
level as possibe-so by 45 feet has for years been
considered a convenient size, especially for grass
courts Where accuracy is required, the dirnen-
sions adopted by the National association are as
follows: Length y feet; width, SO feet; corner
pieces feet long, inside measurements with a
line devoting boundary Of the field thirty inches
from the inside Of the border. The surface should
be well rolled dirt lightly sanded, hold the balls
While the game is ordinarily played turf all
tournament games must be played dirt
made ground.
The Wickets must not be more than four inches
in width and eight TO ten inches above ground
They should be sunk into the ground six eight
inches OF set in blocks Of wood buried under the
surface tc insure stability. When the ground will
o. It. the stakes should be placed seventytwo
feet apart with the first wicket seven feet in front
of the starting stake. The second wicket must be
70 the right Of and foot in advance Of the sec
twenty feet IN advance Of the second and the re-
naming nye At the same relative distance. mus,
and four wing arches.
CORRECT MALLETs AND BALLS.
The mailets should be made of lockwood dog
WOOD, seven nine inches long, by two and one
fourth 70 Two and one-half inches in diameter. and
the handle Of the length that best suits the player.
The best balls OF hard rubber, and according
10 rule, are three and one-fourth inches in dia-
meter They can be easily painted by using
preparation Of shelac dissolved in alcohol mixing
Chinese vermillion for red Prussian blue and zinc
Or fake white for blue, and zinc or fake white
for white. Thus painted they dry in few
minutes. and wear for several days The order OF
colors the stakes shall be red, white, blue and
black
There few rules which have been
ADDED in late years in regard to the boundary line,
ioT the benefit Of those clubs which have adopted
me new style grounds, with corner pieces These
are, that ball shot the boundary or border
must be returned at right angles from where II
stops.
a ball is in the field only when the whole ball
is within me boundary line
o. 40 play Is allowed from beyond the ooundary
me except when the ball is placed IN contact win
i player strikes the ball when over the bound
sry line the stroke is lost, and the balls shaL De
replaced left where they stop, at the opuon OF
NE opponent.
II player hits a ball of the field by direct
bnot the play ceases and the roqueted ball is placed
on the boundary opposite the point where II lay
oe!ore being thus hit But II a ball on tne neIu
Is MI from croquet the hit shall not be allowed,
ne ba4 shall be replaced properly IN the helo ana
pay snail not cease
Should a BAN be resting in a corner and another
oall. De played so that it should be brought IN at
the same spot Il must be placed on that sloe OF
Ne Dal upon which II passed over the pouhuaiS
ne costume worn IN playing golf is equally SUIT
ape for croquet. the short skirt being ever desiI
e1e While game may be INDUCED IN 10 "IlS
way an hour before dinner and the players may
isaF trailing skirts. which are sure 10 more OF
- oislooge the balls, such thing Woold not DC
''.sTated IN a game TO be played seriously