The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1913-09-18
NEWS 6rMe
YOUNG
PEOPLE
MAKE GOOD CRoQUeT GROUND
BY Use OF Conerete-NeeessL
tstes Much Hard Work.
ny EBEN Y RExFoRpl

Most CrOquet grounds are anything
but satisfactory to the person who
takes delight In the game that admits
u skillful play Where the ground
Is rough as to surface. indefinite as to
boundary. and with arches that tip
In all directions there Is little chance
foe fine playing
But on ground with perfectly level
surface. boundary so clearly defined
that there can be no chance for dis
pute In bringing In the ball and
arches that set So firmly that they
cannot be displaced by the impact OF
ball and can be depended on as to
the amount Of resistance they will
give to ball driven against them.
the game takes on new fascination
and becomes one OF skill
A~yeally ideal croquet ground can
b., lde by the use Of cement II
" - necessitate considerable hard
work. but the boys who like to play
croquet will not let that prevent them
from providing themselves with
fine ground II they set about II in
earnest
The FIRST thing TO do is TO eNcavate
the soil to the depth OF about eight
inches Stake out the ground. and 90
a. It as though you meant business
Wheel away the soil as fast as 1t is
dug up When the excavation is com.
plete 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
men add water enough to make
Il the consistency OF soft mud
only small quantity should be
mixed at time. as the mixture
sets or hardens very rapidly. Apply
to the depth OF SRI inches. pounding
Il down well as you 20 along
when you get to the places where
the arches are TO stand. set iron
sockets 10 receive them In the con
crete letting about an inch and
half extend above It TO bring the
Cogt
10 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. ant
one part cement Mix as for con
crete. and use enough water TO make
Il soft enough TO run when poured
over the first coat Smooth II With
trowel and level II with straight
edge 10 make sure that there are
no Inequalities OF surface
These directions. carefully followed,
sill give you 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. bu; there will be
ample chance for very skillful playing
In a great many ways. and you will
nnd that the games becomes far more
attractive than II is possible for II
20 be when played on the ordinary
playground
In selecting the location for the
croquet ground. would advise having
Il at one side OF the home grounds
and somev hat screened from the road
or street. as It detracts from the pleas
ure OF IL TO have II so exposed 10 the
view OF the passer.by that It becomes
almost public property.
Most croquet grounds and tennis
grounds are lacking In one important
feature 80 far as the lookers-on at
these games are concerned. and that
Is comfortable seats provided with
shade
The boys OF the family can make
sea at very small expense, and not
lnl get much pleasure cut OF the
maSng OF them. but a 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 frm ! would
suggest two feet for the width and
six feet for the length
Let the front post stand about sih
feet above the ground. and the rear
ones about fye and a half This will
give little slope TO the roof
At convenient height from the
ground nail stout strips OF wood
around the framework formed by the
poles. on which 10 make the seat
which can be- Of boards or Stats OF
canvas
For the roof OF the seats fasten
strips OF wood 10 the posts, both
lengthwise and crosswise. letting them
project at least about a foot or more
In all directions 80 that ample shade
may be secured
Then tack on lath or strips OF thin
wood In such manner as to form
support for the vines that will be
trained over them.
The best vine TO train over these
seats 10 the Wild Cucumber and the
morning glory. Both OF these are Of
very rapid growth and easy culture
By midsummer the plants will have
reached the roof and covered H.