The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-10-12

NJ. ArMitAge Fsans . suit Of sails fer
Every Horse.


To THE EDITOR OF The SuN-Sir: In yes
terday's Sun IL a very interesting letter upon
wind shields, written by Mr.. Alfred Reeves.
secretary Of the Empire City Trotting Club.
Mr.. Reeves states that he does not see why
wind shield performances should not be
officially recognized. To me the reason Ia
very plain and decisive: 1t Is because they are
In direct and clear violation of the rules Of the
National Trotting Association. Mr.. Reeves
claims that the wind shield helps horse to
the extent OF three or four seconds when he
10 properly rated and in the close of his letter
writes that he is now planning wind shield
which he feels sure will prove to be at least
five seconds help to any horse that can be
properly rated behind it.
Mr. Reeves's reference to interesting the
public, and thereby increasing the attendance
at speed meetings, appeals to me very strongly.
for have neat little scheme of my own. 1t
Ia designed to improve the breed of trOtters
down to mile in a minute. or less; and as
have finished answering Mr.. Reeves | shall
now ask THE SUNS indulgence while grind
my axe just little on THE SUNS columns.
Twenty years a. go we used to think that the
trotter that was strong enough to pull weight
fast and do 1t without wrggling or squirming
in fact with ease to himself and pleasure to
his driver--was about perfect. OF such was
to produce others equal to her About ten
years ago some genius discovered that by
mechanical means alone could we do away
with the necessity Of depending upon strictly
first class animals or the breeders skill in
producing them, and all through the medium
OF The bicycle sulky. In a twinkle OF the eye
third rate horses were made into world
heaters. Improving the breed" of trotters
to the average extent OF ten seconds for the
average no ACCOUNT horse. This season has
seen the wind maker canvas as an adjunct
TO the bike suky. and Lou Dillon and Major
8. not by having some canvas infused into
their blood, but by having 1t fastened TO a
spiky. Is It any wonder then that should
and expeditiously? We must be progressive
and up to date and all that. or be lost and
any man who allows such little things as bits
or canvas, air suction and other similar triiies
TO stand between himself and niche in the
Temple OF Fame doesn't deserve to go thunder
ing down the unborn ages and-well, things
When Lou Dillon started out trot yachting
or yacht trotting this season. and it was made
evident how much her big keel scraper had
improved her breed over the breed Of Maud s..
! saw that there were great possibilities in
this crude combination OF trottine and yacht
called In the aid OF an automobile. said The
plot thickens; perhaps We may be happy yet
Wit Tsh dsn you'd Tnke
saw Lou Dillon's big keel-scraper and went
one better with baby-bib spinnaker knew
that had the idea Of the age and that the one
equipped for the trial just so soon as got the
proper combination. OF power sail area, sail,
ing lines, ballast. wind currents, leeward and
centripetal and centrifugal drifts Ton the
which must have bothered Herreshofl con-
siderably in building the Reliance, In one
respect | think that have greatly improved
upon Herreshoff, although Sir Thomas thinks
1t is in the loaded fin keel, Herreshofr uses
ing II fore and aft, with ends somewhat point
ed cd, to cut the water. | place the hn keel
sthwart ship. or across, with ends perfectly
fat. so as to gain in surface. resistance. thereby
being able to do away with the Lou Dillon
kgel-scr3per and, And as this combines sail area
all frankness credit me with doing what he
has never, even to the slightest degree, Sic
ceeded in doing, having both sail area and
ballast PAL be, low deck If n. saan1 Sir Thomas
rock he might have lifted the cup-and that
reminds me that part of my running gear flor
hosting sting sails! ! have named the Upton lift
the sulky, have discarded the extreme show
9! nose shape in favor of modified cigar
Now as to sail plan and sails. It came to
me as an, inspiration that much could be
game gained la and 9othins lost BY having the sails
dSer aoes AZ his shS nd his
helper" in front that only throws all sorts
OF things In the performers and drivers ewes:
and in that way the rule as to one horse only
to accompany the performer is complied
with. In addition to the Delmar baby-bib
spinnaker | shall have a balloon spinnaker
well forward, to be carried fore and aft in
straight work. but on the starboard tack for
the turns and numerous large aeroplanes
slightly tilted, running aon gsida the sulky
ard horse from cardboard strake tn deck line
For pace maker ! purpose using an auto
maker will be known as the Zephyria or
zephyr maker, for waiting the performer
along. 1t will have about 400 horse power for
traction, and 400 for air blast purposes the
blast TO be directed from behind the performer
upon him and his sails, his .ulky and its sails,
and upon the driver and his sails. also upon
the fin keel: One of the beauties Of my in
purpose Of partially lifting the horse, thus
reducing the foot pounds and saving wear
and tear on the horse Q legs and feet. 1000
pound horse should not weigh over 800
pounds while under the action OF the
Zephyria. and the lead ballast in the fn
keel will make the sulky stand up as stiff as
a church steeple. Even. going at a mile
fatigned. as he will soon learn to mechanically
move his legs fast, and he need put forth but
very triflng exertion, the most of it being in
coming back" against the breechng This
invention should improve the breed OF all
horses SO that the commonest hack horse
will be able to trot in 200 fat, The breed
ers Of trotterS ana PAGERS may now take
will run the business, All tracks auto-trotto-
yachtcally inclined may address the under
signed for terms. T. r. ARMITAGE.
llIGH BRIDGE. Oct. g.