The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1913-09-11
JEWS 6rk&
YOUNG
PEOPLE
MAKE GOOD cRoQUEr GROUND
0eaaly Ideal FsvNdsGisa Ca d MaAs
by Uss q cs~ersts-Asesssi-
tatos Mveh kast Work.

0saiiy Ideal FsvNastisa Ca D MaAs
by uss q csnessts-Asesssi-
tatss Mveh Nasd Work.
By EBEN z. REXFORDD
Most croQuet grounds are anything
but satisfactory to the person Who
takes delight in the game that admits
oe skillful play. Where the ground
y rosgh ~ to surface. indefinite a. to
boundary. and with arches that tip
In Ill directions there 10 little chance
for Ane playing.
But On ground with perfectly level
surface. boundary 10 clearly defined
that there can be NO chance for dis
Suts In bringing IN the ball'' and
arches that set 20 firmly that they
cannot be displaced by the impact Of
. ball and can be depended ON ~ to
the amount OF resistance they will
give to . ball driven against them.
tAo game takes on . new fascination
and becomes one Of skin.
A really ideal eroquet sround can
- made by the use of cement. 1t
will neeessitats considerable hard
work. but the boys who like to play
croqust will not let that prevent them
IRON providing themselves with .
me ground II they set about 1t in
earnest.
The hrst thing to do 10 to excavate
the soil to the depth Of about eight
inches. Stake out the ground. and 90
Ct It - though you meant business.
Wheel away the soil - fast ~ 1t 10
dug up. When the excavation II com.
Dlets mix your concrete for the bottom
course.
This should be made Of coarse sand
or gravel and cement In the propor
uoo Of six parts sand to one part
s,smsnt. Nix the two while dry. asa
ken add water enough to make
II the consistency of soft mud.
Only q small quantity should b
mixed at . time. ~ the mixture
sets" or hardens very rapidly. Apply
to the depth OF SIX inches. pounding
It down well ~ you go along.
When you get to the places where
tAs arches are to stand. set iron
sockets to receive them in the con-
crete letting about an inch and .
half extend above 1t to bring the
tops Of them even with the finishing
coat
Do not allow the concrete to dry
rapidly. Sprinkle frequently. or shade
II the sun IL hot.
The finishing coat should be made
OF clear, sharp sand three parts, and
ono part cement Nix as for con.
crete. and use enough water to make
1t soft enough to run when poured
over the first coat Smooth it with
trowel and level it.with 4 straight
eAse." to make sure that there are
no inequalities of surface.
These directions. carefully followed,
will give you . ground upon which
you can calculate your play almost
~ 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 . great many ways, and you will
find that the games becomes far more
attractive than 1t ID possible for 1t
to be when played on the ordinary
playground.
In selecting the location for the
croquet ground. would advise having
1t at one side of the home grounds
and somewhat screened from the road
or street, as 1t detracts from the pleas
urs Of 1t to have 1t 70 exposed to the
view Of the passer-by that 1t becomes
almost public property.
Most croquet grounds and tennis
grounds are lacking in one important
feature SO far as the lookers-on at
these games are concerned. and that
10 comfortable seats provided with
shade.
The boys Of the family can make
seats at very small expense, and not
only get much pleasure cut of the
making Of them, but good deal Of
good experience in the handling of
tools, which will be beneficial in other
undertakings.
These seats can be made by setting
four posts-preferably cedar. un-
peeled-a sufficient depth in the
ground to make them firm. would
suggest two feet for the width and
six feet for the length.
Let the front post stand about six
feet above the ground, and the rear
ones about five and half. This will
give little slope to the roof.
At a convenient height from the
ground nail stout strips of wood
around the framework formed by the
poles. on which to make the seat,
which can be Of boards or Stats or
canvas.
For the roof of the seats fasten
strips of wood to the posts, both
tengthwise and crosswise letting them
project at least about foot or more
in all directions 30 that ample shade
may be secured.
Then tack Oh lath or strips of thin
wood in such a manner az to form a
support for the vines that will be
trained over them.