New-York tribune., 1912-01-21

skate sailing is the newcomer eAiiohe
national pastimes. Where IL came Aioiii
NO one knows, but it is here' lnuorseu
nv the aristocratic country CLUBS OF the
Nor,b and simple of outfit to the polht
of being possible to any youhss'el l.
Henry Ward Beecher used TO speak win
enthusiasm of the simple playthings OF
his childhood. the string and the stich,
h, would speak with equal enthusiasm ol
this new sport, for all. it requires, using
Ihis own phrase, is rag and a SUCK IL
s,s as exciting as iceboating, with none pf
the dangers of that sport; as fascinating
aas Yachting, with none Of the expensive
>ness of that sport; as delightful as mo-
i1orjng. with none of the mechanical IN
eterruptions of that sport. All in ALL II
ptids fair to be a worthy addition to the
hlist of outdoor sports in when eVerEOouS
Ought to be interested.
Given a frozen lake or pond and a par
OF skates, the other requirements 1or the
ksport can be improvised out of odds ana
lends available in every household. New
terthelcss. TO the lover Of extreme nicely
and aUpropriateness in sporting OUTFIT,
sthere is possible such a perfect equip
tment as to raise the sport to a plane oi
Aserious elegance. Expensive or simple
1.-THE result is the same-spirited whole
tsorne enjoyment of the crisp winter air.
There are half a dozen different pat
terms of skate sails, but the materials
f 90 a OannrallN
the same in each. For the wooden pieces
properly called spars, spruce, ash oi
sometimes bamboo is employed, depend
ing upon the personal choice OF the
maker of the sail and partly upon no"
much he cares to invest in the sport
For the material of the sail unbleacheC
,muslin is the usual choice, although the
lighter weights of canvas or duck are
also much used. The devotee of the new
sport who wishes to have something ab'
solutely perfect can have the sail made
of the so-called silk which is used fol-
small yachts. although it is not really
silk at ALL but a fine quality of Sea ISL
and cotton. Since all the patterns OF
sails now in use are made to furl or take
apart and roll up over the spars, the item
OF weight and bulk is worth considering
When so taken apart the sail can be car
ried in the hand even in public convey
ances. Few portable devices will pro-
vide so much fun to the seeker after win
ter sport out of doors.
The most popular pattern of skate sail
&c the go" shane aud This is the right
rig for the beginner. 1t can be made in
almost any size, but the customary size
FOR person of average height and
weight is 9 by l. feet. That is, the up
right spar, which is kept at right angles
10 the ice, should be nine feet long and
the soar which projects from it to the
e;:d Cc tail of the sail should be about
twelve feet. Both of these spars can bt
constructed with a ferrule or joint in tn,
middle if thought best. Although thi
metnod OF construction slightly weaken
the spafs, it permits them TO be reducet
10 shorter lengths. When so constructed
the main spar, II made of spruce or ash
ought not to be less than an inch and
quarter in diameter.
1t will be seen that there is a shor
&l club or spar set into the end Of the "T
VI sail, where it is drawn TO the end of tn
long spar. This serves to stiffen an
!1latten the sail, and is most important
The drawing up Of the sail to lis fiat an
snug appearance is accomplished b
means Of a small rope, which is ru