Observations on PJiotogtapJiic Appliances and their Uses. 257 



in some peculiar cases where one side of the view is much nearer 

 than the other. For general use, however, they are not only of 

 no value, but lessen the rigidity of the back of the box, besides 

 leading to complications. My advice would be, leave horizontal 

 swings alone, and I believe that those members of this club who 

 have used them will concur in my opinion. 



The size of a camera, which is the most desirable for any one, 

 depends somewhat on the weight one is willing to carry, and also 

 on the film -carrier to" be used, whether glass or paper. It is very 

 evident that if paper is to be used instead of glass plates, one can 

 afford to carry a camera of larger dimensions. The energy and 

 vital resources of the amateur are also to be considered in the 

 determination of the size to be adopted. Some amateurs can carry 

 a 11x14 box, with two dozen plates, on a warm summer day with- 

 out murmuring, while others might become fatigued from carrying 

 a quarter size box. Of course, I presume that every photographer 

 is personally concerned in the transportation of his own traps. 



The proportion of the plate to be used depends on the topo- 

 graphical features of the country in which the views are to be 

 taken, and also on the disposition to be made of the negatives, 

 whether intended principally for prints or for lantern slides. If 

 intended for prints, and in sections of country where no high 

 mountains are to be dealt with, a plate having the proportions of 

 5 to 8 or 5 to 7 is well suited, as the height desired is much less 

 than the breadth; thus in most cases we find that when seven or 

 eight inches are sufficient for the lateral dimension, five inches give 

 ample margin for sky and foreground. 



On the other hand, if we consider that we get as much and 

 perhaps more enjoyment out of our work by transforming it into 

 lantern slides, and that the shape of a lantern slide gives a better 

 image on the screen when about square, we conclude that the 

 heighth and width of a plate should not differ much, though there 

 should always be a difference in order to allow of horizontal and 

 vertical views. Besides, square pictures are seldom graceful. My 

 observation has led me to believe that the proportions of 5 to 7 or 

 6^4 to 8^ are the proportions which can be adapted most satisfac- 

 torily to any kind of country or view, and are at the same time 

 well proportioned for lantern slides. In the latter case the ends of 

 the negatives can be cut off so as to give the view better shape, as 

 it must be observed here that a lantern slide need not embrace as 



