8 TARGET PRACTICE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



gallery practice, and drill in estimating distances. The 

 instruction is progressive throughout, and each subject or 

 exercise is to be understood before passing to the next. 



Men are expected to estimate distances up to 600 paces 

 with reasonable correctness; officers, noncommissioned offi- 

 cers, and skilled privates, distances up to the limit of vision. 

 Men who show special aptitude in estimating distances are 

 trained in the use of the range finder and in observing the 

 ground with field glasses. The details of the course are very- 

 similar to our own, units of length being fixed in the mind 

 by pacing and by frequent exercise and observation in all 

 conditions of light and ground, advantage being taken of 

 opportunities to note known distances on drill or parade 

 grounds, etc. 



FIRING AT KNOWN DISTANCES. 



The object of this practice is to enable the soldier to attain 

 as high a degree of skill as possible in the use of the rifle, and 

 to prepare him for field practice. 



It is divided into preliminary and regular firing, the pre- 

 liminary firing being intended to familiarize the man with 

 the principles of firing and the peculiarities of his rifle. The 

 school target is used for this practice. The men are divided 

 into three classes, the first — the lowest — of men in their first 

 year of service, or of longer service who have not fulfilled 

 the conditions of their class; the second class consists of the 

 men who, in tlie regular practice and authorized repetitions, 

 have made at least 40 per cent of hits ; the third class (marks- 

 men) are those who, in the regular practice in the second 

 class, have made 50 per cent of hits. 



Soldiers are not to engage in target practice until they have 

 the necessary preparatory instruction. Those who are not 

 armed with rifles should, in their first year, go through the 

 course of the lowest class, and in their second and third years 

 should fire at least IG shots (four of the exercises). 



Men of more than one year's service begin target practice 

 in October, and continue during the winter in favorable 

 weather. For recruits such weather should always be se- 

 lected, and their shooting should not be preceded by fatiguing 

 drill or marching, or be conducted at the same time as that of 

 the older soldiers. In very cold or hot weather no practice 

 should be held, and in warm or cool conditions of weather 

 it should not be prolonged beyond two hours. 



