RUSSIA. 135 



(combatant or iioncombataut), 150 rounds of ball and 15 of 

 blank ammunition yearly. The total of the rounds allowed 

 for noncommissioned officers and men is expended as follows: 

 Fifteen rounds a man for noncombatants; 125 ball and 15 

 blank cartridges for each man firing the course for the first 

 time; 105 rounds of ball cartridges for each man firing the 

 course for the second or subsequent times. The remainder is 

 at the disposal of the commander of the unit for field-firing 

 exercises on a larger scale, shooting in winter, extra rounds 

 for bad shots, inspections, and prize firing. 



After completing the eleventh practice, the combatants are 

 divided into two classes, the first comprising those who in 

 their first year have 33 hits out of 55 shots, or in subsequent 

 years 21 hits out of 35 shots, the second class, all the others. 



Those who for two years running have been in the first 

 class receive badges. Prizes of from 1 to 2^ rubles are 

 given, after a competition at 200 paces, to the best 10 shots 

 of each company. Five rounds are fired for accuracy at a 

 ring target, and 10 rounds in thirty seconds for rapidity. 

 Prizes (weapons) are also given for good shooting among offi- 

 cers. In each regiment or independent battalion a certain 

 number of men of vigorous constitution and good eyesight, 

 and who are good shots, are chosen as scouts (okhotniki) and 

 placed under a selected officer. A principal feature of their 

 training is the hunting of wild animals, for which in a regi- 

 ment, 500, and, in an independent battalion, 200 rubles are 

 once and for all allowed for the purchase of rifles, dogs, etc., 

 these being afterwards kept up by the sale of the game shot. 



The object is to have specially trained men for difficult or 

 dangerous duties in war. The number so trained should 

 never be less than four per company. 



TARGET PRACTICE FOR CAVALRY. 



In March, target practice begins, and by the 1st of May 

 recruits and old soldiers should have finished not less than 

 six of the practices of the course (see below). 



For target practice eight days per squadron, and six per 

 regiment, are reserved. 



For estimating distances four days per squadron. 



