Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-10-29
ARCHERY AS A SPORT
THE IMPLEMENTS THAT ARE USED
IN THIS ANCIENT PAsTlME.

BeHfdeR Bow ana Arrous Arc
Culver, Pouch. BeIt, TasscI and
Grease Pot, Arm Guard, Glove, Tar
act and Score Card-'The Rules.
The implements used In archery as q
pastime are bow, arrows, CULVER, a
pouch, belt, tassel and grease pot,
an arm guard, shooting glove. tar
get and scoring card.
The bow is usually from FIVE to six
feet in length. the strength being reck-
oned by pounds, varying from twenty
five to eighty, those used by gentlemen
being in strength from fifty to eighty
pounds. those for ladies from twenty
five to forty. The former are made of
single piece of yew or ash. The latter
OF lancewood or hickory, glued back 10
back
In forming the bow the wood is grad
ually tapered, and at each end is tip
Of horn, the one at the upper end be-
ing longer than the lower end, and one
side Of the bow Is fiat, called the
back" the other being rounded and
called the belly" Near the center,
where the bow is held, 1t Is bound with
velvet. which part is called the chan
de-" and in each tip of horn is a notch
for the string to rest in, called the
mock"
Tho string of the bow Is manufac-
tured OF hemp or flax. The hemp
strings wear the longest. though they
stretch more at first, but, being more
elastic. bear harder pull. When It is
necessary TO fix fresh string to the
how care must be taken not to break
the composition. The tie should be cut,
the eye worked al one end, held. the
other part allowed to hang down and
the eye passed over the upper end Of
the bow
IL for lady II may be held from
two to two and half inches below
the mock: il for a gentleman, half an
inch lower, varying II according to the
length and strength of the bow. The
hand Is then passed along the side of
the bow and string to the bottom
mock, round Which the string Is
turned and fixed by the moose. When
strung a lady's bow will have the
string about five and half inches
from the belly of the bow, gentle
mans about half an inch more. The
part Of the string opposite the handle
Is bound round with waxed silk in
order 10 prevent its being frayed by
the arrow, which is sent from that
point.
As soon as n string becomes too soft
anu the fibers too straight it must be
rubbed with beeswaX and few turns
given TO it 10 shorten it and twist its
strands little tighter. \ spare string
should always be provided.
Arrows are variously formed. some
being Of uniform thickness through
out, others thicker in the center or
larger at the point than at the feather
end, the last shape being considered
the best form for shooting. Arrows
are made OF white pine, having at one
end points of iron or brass firmly fixed
and usually piece Of heavy wood
spliced on 10 the pine between it and
the point, by which their flight is i'm.
proved. At the other end piece of
horn is inserted, i'll which is notch for
the string. and they are armed with
three feathers. one of Which is OF n diff
ferent color from the others and Is in.
tended to mark the proper position OF
the arrow when placed on the string,
this one always pointing from tue bow.
To string the bow take ii by the
handle ln the right hand anu place the
bottom end upon the ground resting
against The hollow Of the inside of the
right foot. keeping the fiat side OF the
bow Called the back toward You.
The left foot should be advanced lit
tie to the right. SO PLACED that the bow
cannot slip sideways. Place the heel
OF the left hand upon the upper limb
OF tue bow, below the eye of the string.
Now. while the fingers and thumb of
the left hand slide this eye toward the
notch in the horn and the heel pushes
the limb away from the body. the
right hand pulls the handle toward
You, thus resisting the action OF the
left. by which the bow is bent and at
the same time the string is Slipped into
tile mock, as the notch is termed.
Care must be taken to keep tue three
outer fingers free from the string. for
IL The bow should slip from lie hand
and the string catch them they will be
severely pinchcd.
If the bow has been lying by for
some time II should be we'll rubbed
with linseed oil before using It, 10
'instrlnS the bow hold it as in string
ing; then press down the upper limb
exactly as before and as il you wished
TO place the eye of the striug in Il
higher notch This will loosen the
string and liberate the eye. when II
must be lifted out of the mock by the
forclinger and suffered 10 slip down