The Athletes and Athletic Sports of Scotland

PUTTING THE STONE. 45 who is about 6 ft. 6 in. in height, was only 22 years ofage at the '88 match, has improved since, and has no rival except M'Pherson at putting atthe present time. At the Scottish Games, Phila­ delphia, in 1890, he putted a round granite stone, 14 lb. weight, 49 ft. nj in., straight out, with 7 ft. 6 in. run. JOHN D. M'PHERSON IN SCOTLAND, ISQT .—Not long after the match for the championshipof America, M'Pherson had his right arm badly fractured at the wrist, and it was feared he would never be able to put again, but he began to show some­ thing of his previous formin 1890, and in 1891 he crossed over to Scotland. His visit caused the greatest sensation amongst experienced athletes ofwhich we have anyrecord in Scotland. James Fleming, who, in his best form, stripped at about 14 stones, and stood 5 ft. 11 in., was the lightestputter ofthe first class we have had in Scotland. Duffy and M'Krae are about 17 stones and 14 stones respectively, and 6 ft. 1 in. and 6 ft. 2^ in. in height. M'Pherson stands 5 ft. 11 in., and as nearly as possible weighed 12stones when in Scotland. He lookslike a runner or leaper rather than a first-class putter. When the three appeared together, it seemed preposterous to think that the comparatively slim and light figureof M'Pherson could give anything like the sameimpetus to ball or stone ashis big rivals. Yet in 21 competitions against Duffy he won 16 times, beating Duffy over 2 ft. each time on an average; Duffy having an average of barely 6 in. over M'Pherson in his 5 wi is. In 24 competitions againstM'Krae, M'Pherson won 22 times, with an average of over 2 ft. 8 in. each time; M'Krae being first twice with an average of fully 9 in. At Musselburgh he beat M'Krae 5 ft. 5 in., and Duffy 5 ft. 8 in.; at Callander he beat Duffy 5 ft. 7 in., and M'Krae 5 ft. 9 in. ;at Birnam he beat Duffy 4 ft. in., and M'Krae 6 ft. 1 in. No putter ever placed such gaps between himself and first-class men in Scotland before. His extraordinary performances are all the more wonderful when it is known that he suffers from asthma, which was particularly distressing to him in this country. His style, it is needless to say, is the most perfect ever seen. He hopsup to within less