FRANCE. 71 



practice ; moreover, at the Artillery School of Application at 

 Fontaiiiebleau this subject naturally receives considerable 

 attention both theoretically and practically (the school has 

 its own polygon) ; but besides these establishments there sits 

 at Poitiers a board for testing artillery, which is charged with 

 examining the best methods to employ in the fire of field, 

 siege, and seacoast artillery. At the same place, and using 

 in part the personnel of this board, is established the practi- 

 cal course in artillery fire whose object is to exercise captains 

 of artillery (chiefly seniors) in the rigid application of the 

 accepted methods of fire of their arm, and also to give them, 

 as far as is possible, on the polygon of Bourges, instrnction 

 in the methods in use for siege and seacoast artillery fire. 



There are three courses during the year, each two months 

 in length, as follows: From February 15 to April 15, from 

 April 16 to June 16, and from September 15 to November 15. 

 The student oflicers are sent in classes of 20 or 30, and remain 

 for two months. For the second month of each course a cer- 

 tain number of field officers are sent to the school to be exer- 

 cised in organizing, directing, and criticising the conduct of 

 target practice of several batteries united. 



The instructors of these courses consist of a director (colonel 

 or lieutenant colonel) and three field officers or captains ; there 

 is permanently attached to the institution one foot battery ; 

 a field battery from the garrison of Poitiers is available when 

 needed. 



CLASSIFICATION OF GUNNERS. RECOMPENSES. 



At the conclusion of the preparatory exercises, and before 

 the actual target practice begins, the captain holds a competi- 

 tion, first, among men already qualified as first-class gunners 

 (maitres pointeurs) ; second, among the rest of the men for 

 the class of gunner (pointeur).* 



* Since the above was written a new regulation has been published on 

 the subject of classification and recompenses for gunners in the field 

 artillery. It prescribes that each year, when the instruction has been 

 completed, and before or during the annual target practice, according to 

 circumstances, the colonel will appoint a board to hold a competition in 

 aiming among the batteries of the regiment. 



Each captain selects a gun detachment commanded by a sergeant. Men 

 •who are already first-class gunners are not selected. 



The same piece is used by all detachments. 



Three tests are given to each detachment. Time and accuracy form 

 the basis of the marks. The tests are prescribed with great detail, but 



