Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1913-09-12
NEWS 6rne
; YOUNG
PEOPLE
MAKE GOOD cRoQUET GROUND
o,,,v ideal Foundation Can Be Made
nv Use of concrete-Necessi-
tates Much Hard Work.
nv EBEN E. RExFoRD.)

tokes delight in the game that admits
~ ekillful play. Where the ground
81 rough as to surface, indefinite as to
boundary, and with arches that tip
i, al directions there is little chance
for fine playing.
But on a ground with perfectly level
snrface boundary SO clearly defined
+bot there can be no chance for dis
rute in bringing in the BALI and
arches that set so firmly that they
cannot be displaced by the impact of
hall and can be depended on as to
the amount of resistance they will
give to a ball driven against them,
the game takes on new fascination
and becomes one of skill.
A really ideal croquet ground can
be made by the use of cement. 1t
will necessitate considerable hard
work but the boys who like to play
croouet will not let that prevent them
from providing themselves with a
fine ground If they set about it in
earnest.
The first thing to do is to excavate
the soil to the depth of about eight
inches. Stake out the ground, and go
at il as though you meant business.
Wheel away the soil as fast as it is
dug I'D. When the excavation is COM
Dlete mix your concrete for the bottom
course.
This should be made of coarse sand
or gravel and cement in the propor
ton of six parts sand to one part
cement Mix the two while dry, ant
Snen add water enough to make /
ii the consistency of soft mud.
Only small quantity should be
mixed at a time, as the mixture
sets" or hardens very rapidly. Apply
TO the depth OF SIX inches, pounding
it down well as you go along.
When you get to the places where
the arches are to stand, set iron
sockets to receive them in the con-
crete. letting about an inch and a
half extend above it to bring the
tops of them even with the finishing
coat
Do not allow the concrete to dry
rapidly. Sprinkle frequently. or shade
if the sun is hot.
The finishing coat should be made
Of clear, sharp sand three parts, anc
one part cement. Mix as for con-
crete, and use enough water to make
bit soft enough to run when poured
over the first coat Smooth it with
y trowel and level it with a straight
edge" to make sure that there are
no inequalities of surface.
These directions, carefully followed,
will give you a ground upon which
you can calculate" your play almost
as well as the billiardist does his on
the billiard table.
OF course you will have no cushion
to reckon with, but there will be
ample chance for very skillful playing
In a great many ways, and you will
fnd that the games becomes far more
attractive than it is possible for it
70 be when played on the ordinary
playground.
In selecting the location for the
croquet ground, would advise having
i at one side of the home grounds
and somewhat screened from the road
pr street, as it detracts from the pleas
pre- Of it to have it so exposed to the
view Of the passer-by that it becomes
almost public property. :.
Most croquet grounds and tennis
grounds are lacking in one important
feature so far as the lookers-on at
Hnese games are concerned, and that
IS comfortable seats provided with
Shade.
The boys of the family can make
seats at very small expense, and not
phiy get much pleasure cut of the
making Of them, but good deal of
good experience IN the handling of
FOOLS, which will be beneficial in other
Undertakings.
Iuese seats can be made by setting
our posts-preferably cedar, un-
peeled-a sufficient depth in the
ground to make them firm. / would
aggest two feet for the width and
six feet for the length.
Let the front post stand about six
leet above the ground, and the rear
Ones about five and a half. This will
eHe little slope to the roof.
AT a convenient height from the
sI0uhd nail stout strips of wood
Ioand the framework formed by the
poies' on which to make the seat.
"nich can be Of boards or stats or
Panvas.
FOR the roof of the seats fasten
u'ps OF wood to the posts, both
euetnWlse and crosswise, letting them
.'0!ect at least about a foot or more
VI directions so that ample shade
nay be secured.
1nen tack on lath or strips of thin
'oOd IN such a manner as to form a
upport for the vines that will be
'sined over them.
me best vine to train over these
e@'S is the wild cucumber and the
loInins glory. Both of these are of
s'E rapid growth and easy culture.
midsummer the plants will have
cached the roof and covered IL.