THE PERFECT HORSE. 455 



HOW TO LAY OUT A MILE TRACK. 



Select a level field of 42 acres : draw through the centre 

 of it a straight line of 440 yards (a quarter of a mile). On 

 each side of this line, and at an exact distance of 140 yards 

 from it, draw parallel lines of equal length, so that the space 

 between the two outer lines will be 280 yards. This being 

 done, drive a stake at each end of the centre line ; fasten a 

 cord thereto ; extend the cord at right angles for 140 yards 

 until it touches the end of the outer line, and then describe 

 with the extreme end of the cord an outer curve or semi- 

 circle between the ends of the two outer lines. You will 

 then have the shape you want ; the continuous outer line 

 describing it being exactly a mile (1,760 yards) in length, 

 divided into four sections of a quarter-mile (440 yards) each, 

 and enclosing 42 acres of ground. From this outer line, or 

 track, set the fence of the course three feet back on the 

 straight sides and curves. In this way an exact mile (as 

 near as may be) is preserved for the actual foot-track of all 

 the horses. In brief, then, mark out for your course a paral- 

 lelogram of 440 yards long, and 280 yards wide, with curves 

 thrown out at the ends, of equal length with the sides, and 

 you have the course you want. The first distance-post is 

 placed 60 yards from the judges' stand ; the second at 240 

 yards ; and the start is 60 yards before entering the turn. 

 The track should be graded round the turns like the track 

 of a railroad or circus, the outer portion highest, so that a 

 horse can extend himself at full speed as well around the 

 turns as on thQ straight sides. 



