The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-19
SPORT AMONG THE CLOUDS.
Utilization of skyscraper Roofs for
 Recreation Purposes.
le FurniShers.
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
 While the tops of the skyscraper buildings would be fine launching places for aerial ships and flying machines the record is still blank regarding any utili- zation of the lofty spots for such pur- rose. Thus far the inventors have sought out perches closer to the ground for their ambitious trial trips Summer gardens, of the music hall sort and also for the private use of the occupants are no new things on the tops of the tall buildings. and 1t is also well known that the jani- tors of such buildings often utilize the roof space for kitchen gardens. The latest use of the roofs Is as recreation grounds.
 On top of one Fifth avenue apart ment house Is a perfectly fitted up squash racquet court, for use in common by the tenants. The building Is of wood with a pitched roof lighted by glass windows
 the play court being of the usual size ard the building also containing a gal lery for spectators. The small space needed for a squash court, approximately o5xl6 feet, makes 1t an easy matter to find room for such building on a roof
 and there are several of them In use in the city close to the skyline The courts arc almost invariably enclosed by
 walls. and at an upper West Side apart
 ment house the space is used for a lawn tennis court in summer and for ice skat- ing In mldwinter.
 There Is no better location, possible for
 pigeon lofts, especially if working hom-
 CTS are kept, than the roof of such a
 building, and, as the Pigeon and Poultry Breeders association demonstrated dur ing their show in Herald Square hall the location high in air is an excellent starting place for distance flight There are several skyscraper pigeon lofts in town, and at least one amateur of show rabbits keeps hls stock on such roof sporting utilization of mother roof in mtdair is as a kennel. The dogs that have thelr home there are not toys, or of the small sort at all. but instead the inmates are collection of English bull- dogs as well known as winners at the bench shows as any in the country The kennel Is favorite meeting place of dog owners from out of town. especially when dog show Is on. and through It's popu- larity In this way fulflls the place of q club for the amateurs who take delight in calling themselves Brothers of the Fancy"
 When the elevator reaches It's high wa ter mark in this skyscraper the visitor has two short flights of stairs to clumb to gain the iron door that opens on the TooI. AS the stranger passes through the door and closes 1t behind him, he shuts out all that suggests city life. tall build ings. or whatever of the moil and toll of town existence may have dogged his steps thus far. He finds himself within a square of brick walls. such as they train fruits to grow on in England, and | before him is brick stable with peaked roof and gilt weathcrvane, the duplicate
 of the carriage house of any detached suburban residence. He stands on clay soil and overhead is the blue sky. while the air is pure and as inspiring as wine. lt is like q clearing on a mountain ton. and 1t would not be a surprise to see the tops of troes waving above the brick
 walls.
 Inside the building are kennels arranged
 in double tiers. and fifty dogs may be kept there in comfort. On the walls are some photographs of notable winners for the kennel. and a frieze of sporting cuts. A great collection of blue ribbons and cups won at bench shows fills a glass case. and there are plenty of chairs to lounge on while the dogs are trotted out for inspection. The dogs thrive in the high location, and the only detail that has required special thought is a ma chine on which they take walking ex- ercise.
 Manifest1y. 1t would he a nuisance to take the dogs aif the way down to the street for their walks. and if turned out on the roof they would do more sleeping than walking The machine Is merely treadmiil. such as dogs may often be seen working to furnish power for churns or small cider presses. and it is usually sasulated SO that fifty minutes or the