Athletics

JUMPING. 87 shot-putting square, the left side of which can be used as the "take-off." Here there must be inserted a block of wood, painted white, not less than 4 ft. long; but it is much better ifthe block connect the end boundary pieces of the shot square;it will then bemuch firmer, and, with the others, formthree sidesof a square. The "take-off" piece should be if or 2 in. wide by 4 in. deep—7 ft. of a 2 in. plank of hard wood will be found best, to give firmness and solidity. If the location be a permanent one it is best to dig up the square, 2 ft, deep, put in a good foundation of old bricks, clinkers,and gradually fining up with a top dressing of cinders; even if a field, a cinder-path for the 40 yards' runmay be easily madeat a nominal cost— it need only be 2^ or 3 ft. wide. Great care must be taken to ensure having aperfectly level take-off, or a fair trial is impossible. The nextthing to be seen to is— The Pit. —About 13 or 14 ft. from the take-off a pit must be dug, over a foot deep, 4 ft. wide, and extending to 24 ft. from the take-off, and givingroom for a man to make a record without hurting his heels or smashing his shins. The "pit" must be thoroughly well dug up, riddled, and mixed with sawdust and a little dry sand, and kept fr quently turned overto prevent packing. Before the jumping begins the surface, which must be on a dead level with the top of the take-off, ought to be raked quite even, and patted smooth with the back of the spade, or run over by a very light roller; a little extra sawdust may be then sprinkled. One official is appointed to watch the take-off in order to dis­ qualify anycompetitor goingover, i.e. getting morethan his toe over the line, or ather thewooden block. Measuring is facilitated by preparing two boards with planed edges, marked off in feet and inches from, say, 15 ft. to 23 ft.; these are inserted at either side of the pit, great