FOREST AND STREAM. 



89 



''roquet croquet" to the rover. While these authors were 

 discussing this question, the American players very practi- 

 cally decided it for themselves in a manner that leaves no 

 occasion for controversy, not believing that it added to the 

 interests of the game to restrict the best and most scientific 

 stroke to a few of the Tiest players, or to a shot time at the 

 close of a game. 



During these years efforts were made to assemble a Cro- 

 quet Congress, but to no purpose. Then a committee of 

 expert players, numbering among its members men of lit- 

 erary and judicial ability, was? formed, to compile and ar- 

 range a code of laws for the game. Their aim was to 

 adopt a few leading principles of the game, and thereon to 

 build a consistent and systematic method of play — a method 

 which should he at ouce simple and scientific. 



Having adopted the rules and put them on paper, they 

 were tested and amended for a whole season, and after- 

 «ards published with the title — "Croquet: its principles 

 and rules; by Prof . A. Rover." A great number of un- 

 necessary terms and phrases, imported from England, were 

 omitted, and the game, as set forth, was thoroughly Amer- 

 ican. Although having very decided and unanimous im- 

 pressions on some points, this committee did not dure to 

 presume on the public indulgence too much in the way of 

 radical changes, and hence in the first edition they adopted 

 the booby, and inflicted a penalty for the flinch; but they 

 strenuously claimed the roquet-croquet for all the players, 

 and offered a solution of the question of double points and 

 the right to waive a step that was entirely original. 



The first edition was received with so much favor that 

 in succeeding editions they became bold enough to express 

 opinions regarding the booby and flinch. Neither of these 

 changes had, we believe, ever been suggested when first 

 published in "Croquet-, its principles and rules," for It. 

 Fellow does not hint at, the possibility of such a thing in 

 his new edition of 1868, which he says is based on tire 

 latest English decisions, and in the fifth edition of 

 "Croquet,: its principles and rules," of the same year, both 

 are fully advocated. These two changes seem very mate- 

 rially to simplify the whole game, both in theory and prac- 

 tice, and yet do not detract in the least from its interest, 

 but rather add strength to it. Therefore we have been led 

 to adopt this manual as our authority, and recommend it 

 to American players. Having at some length explained 

 the reasons for our choice of authority, we wish in a few 

 words to correct some common errors in playing that seem 

 to have come from home made and hearsay rules, as they 

 are not authorized by any recognized code of laws. 



One of the most common errors is in relation to the fol- 

 lowing rule: — "A ball having roqueted another ball, is at 

 liberty to croquet, or roquet-croquet or proceed on its 

 round: providing that the playing ball has not already in 

 that tour roqueted that same ball since making a step on 

 the round." 



It is very generally understood as it would read if the 

 words "in that tour" were stricken out, and although these 

 three words are printed in bold face type, to give them 

 special prominence, people are so accustomed to their own 

 ways Of playing that, they will not believe the rule when 

 they see it, hut persist in writing to authors and editors for 

 decisions in the case- 

 On probably one half the grounds in this country the 

 premium of an extra stroke is allowed for making two 

 steps. This is another purely home made rule, as we know 

 of no authority for such playing. If a player makes two 

 steps at one stroke he is entitled to take position up to one 

 mallet's length in any direction, etc., and this is the only 

 premium or privilege ever allowed, and even that, was for- 

 merly denied by some English authorities; but it is univer- 

 sally allowed in this country, although on some grounds it 

 is not generally practiced. 



Another common question in dispute is regarding a dea'd 

 tall. Although the rule reads thus — "A ball, after it has 

 run all the bridges, may hit the starting post either by a 

 blow from its owner's mallet, by roquet, roquet-croquet, 

 croquet or concussion, and is then a dead bail, and must be 

 immediately removed from the field"— yet players repeated- 

 ly write to know "if in case you roquet a rover against 

 the starting slake, can you croquet him and continue play? 

 If, when the rover's ball strikes the starting stake, it is 

 dead, and must be itnmedurtely removed from the ground, 

 how can the croquet be executed? That seems plain 

 enough; but the great, trouble often is that this one promi- 

 nent principle is not understood. 



"The continuance of play is gained by virtue of the 

 roquet, and not of the croquet. The croquet is merely a 

 privilege consequent upon the roquet. Therefore, to waive 

 a croquet does not terminate the play. This principle once 

 fixed in the mind will avoid much confusion in under- 

 standing and interpreting the rules." 



The much vexed question of double points is intimately 

 connected with this same principle. The distinction be- 

 tween a point and a step should be understood and remem- 

 bered. The definition of a point is — "A player makes a 

 point by running a bridge or tolling a post, or by roquet- 

 ing a ball that he has not previously roqueted during the 

 lour since making a step— or in other words, by roqueting 

 a ball under such circumstances as woidd entitle him to 

 the privilege of the croquet"— while a step is "running a 

 bridge, or tolling the turning post." 



A player may waive any privilege gained— as, for in- 

 stance, the right to croquet — but a step once made cannot 

 be ignored or cancelled. Hence, when a player makes a 

 bridge, or hits a stroke in course, it must count, and also 

 any other points made at the same blow. These are only 

 a few of the many points which need not be disputed if 



only a common authority could be adopted; then the play- 

 ers would read that authority with the same degree of in- 

 telligence as they employ in the ordinary business of life. 

 *■»• , 



THE "NATIONAL SPORTSMEN'S ASSO- 

 CIATION." 



A CONVENTION of sportsmen and others interested 

 in the protection of game and the unification of con- 

 flicting game laws, assembled at Niagara Falls on the !)lh 

 instant, pursuant to a call emanating from the New York 

 State Association for the Protection of Game, at its late 

 meeting at Oswego. The call is worded as follows:— 



A Call Ton A National SronT»,-,n:a's Association.— The "New 

 York state Association for the Protection of Fi-b and rjhune," believing 

 that the time had arrived when public sentiment was in fsivor or tanning 

 a Orand National Organization for the Protection of Fish and Game, 



did, in Convention assembled at Oswego, N. Y., on June 23, 1874, adopt 

 the following:— 



"Resolved, Tliat this Association, in Convention assembled, do in- 

 dorse the call for a National Association, Issned in she American /Sports- 

 man of February 81, 1874." having for its obi, ct the procurement of "in- 

 tellieent and eliiricnl. legislation for the protection of (tame Birds and 

 Fish," and did name the Oth d iv of September. is. I. and Via -am KiilN 

 N. V., as the proper lime and place for holding such convention, and did 

 appoint us as delegates to -aid Convention, now 



Tha-tfore. We do issue this coil to all State Sportsmen's Associations 

 and Local Organizations whete no Suite Associations exisi, and "Oiulc- 

 men sportsmen where no local clubs exist, to lake the matter in band and 

 send Delegations to said Convention, and make the meeting one worthy 

 or American gentlemen-sportsmen. 



A. C. Mattook, Oswean, N. Y. 



S. T. Muhkay. Niagara Palls, X. V. 



N. Rom:. We-t Trov. N Y. 



Geo. W. Flower, Waterton, X Y. 



W, J. Babcock, Rochester, N. Y. 

 Eighty-six delegates were present representing the fol- 

 lowing sixteen States and the District of Columbia:— 



New York— W. J. Babcock, A. B. Lambertou, J. A. Hnckstra, Henry 

 Walzer, Rochestci : II. Silsbv. seueca Falls; H.-nrv Kn ipp. Palmyra; A. 

 C. JIattoon, H. L. Davis. S. M. Allen. Osweco: ijresu Smith, Peter-born; 

 Frank Harrb-on. Long Island: Robert Newell, Buffalo; F. B. Klock, 

 Syracuse; S. T Murray, Hon William Poole, Jam, - T, Fulton, Jr.. 

 Cyrus E. Davis. Wm. Sannvavs. Niagara Falls; H. G. Jackson. Bing- 

 hamton; E. Garrison. Syracuse. L, J. Peck, Loekport; II. C. Tanner, 

 Oswego: CUas. Haliorl; of For.EST and Stukam: Col. F. li. Skinner of 

 Turf, Field and Farm: li. D. Sane. E S. Phelps, S, W.-i-liclI, E. II. C. 



liriilin, J II. Flrowu, Koche-ler; li. s. Fit/so is. N.-w York; \lfn-d 



Millard, J. A. Dibble, All, ion. 



Ohio— A. T. Brinsrnade, li. H. Brown. Frank Rnrkafeller. C. F. Wheal, 

 Dr. E. Starling, C. D. Bishop. Cleveland: I' \ ,1 mi is, ' incinnati; John 

 B. Wilkinson, Willinm.-port; Jas. Moore, Toledo: W: ram Chmlm , i'o.- 

 lege Corner; M.J. Farrar, Cleveland; Wade Liickett, M. Langdon, Cin- 



Michigan— C. C. Cadman. Dr. Wm. Brodie. W. C. Colburu, Juo. E. 

 Long, Georffe Doty, Detroit; J. Eugene Fuller, ( .ioem :1b-; E. T. Holmes. 

 Grand Eapids, 



New Java/— Genrm- II, iiaehe, Morristoivn; Miles Johnson, Trenton. 



//«rfi<iH«— N. H. Church, Potoka; A. R. Wade. South Uriel, 



District of Columbia— CoL O. M-. Alexander, James N. Sands, Wasli- 



'.-•' 3M. Hudson, llano, rd: "it. O Cllenei Jiuiiohe- 

 v Haven; C. S. Cheney, T. F. Pltinkett. Munches 



. W. 



/ .....-.■■ -.,■;,- W. 8, Davie, OleM Centre; J. Kridcr, Philadelphia. 



II l-xi nan — II. M. Sherman, Beloit. 



'■'.-■ ' - -■ -Jno. Boydou. Worcester. 



Florida — Peter Jones, Jacksonville. 



(Riiw-lTin, B. Hauworth, Onincy; Aimer Price, T. J. HigL'ius, 

 lloiui-N Baldwin. S. T. Whitman, .1. J Kleounan . S, M. Tuna-ll, T. 

 Abbey, Thos. Stagg, W. T. Johnson, D. T. Eliston, 1!. li. Clark, J. Feni- 

 roore Welsh, Chicago. 



The principal support of the Convention, it will be seen, 

 came from the States of New York, Ohio, Illinois, and 

 Michigan. 



The meeting was organized at S o'clock in the evening, 

 by calling Ex-Gov. Allen T. Brinsrnade, of Ohio to the 

 chair, who, in assuming his office, spoke with much 

 earnestness and at considerable length upon the con- 

 dition of the country in the rapid extirpation of game, the 

 incongruity of the laws, the difference in seasons appointed 

 in contiguous districts, and the impossibility of working 

 against the force of public indifference, all which facts the 

 Forest and Stream has earnestly pressed upon the atten- 

 tion of its readers, while it has also endeavored to point 

 out a practicable remedy. 



H. L. Davis, of Oswego, and Wm. Humphreys, of Con- 

 necticut were then appointed Secretaries. 



On motion, gentlemen present who were not delegates 

 from any club, were invited to hand in their names and 

 assist- in the proceedings. While the committee on creden- 

 tials were conferring in the next room, a general discussion 

 was held upon the best means that should be taken to pro- 

 tect game, and prevent the gradual decrease of fish that has 

 been observed in our streams. 



The. following committee on constitution, by-laws and 

 permanent organization was then appointed: — Hon. A. C. 

 Mattoon, of Oswego; H. L.IDavis, of New York City; A. G. 

 Dole, of Manchester, N. H. ; Dr. W. M. Hudson, of Hart- 

 ford, Ct.; W. J. Farrar, of Cleveland, Ohio; Abner Price, 

 of Chicago, 111. They retired and shortly after reported a 

 constitution and code of by-laws, which were adopted sec- 

 tion by section, the name and style of the organization be- 

 ing the "National Sportsman's Association," as above. Ex- 

 ception was made that this did not correctly designate the 

 objects for which the association was formed, namely, the 

 protection of game; but the title as adopted seemed to meet 

 almost unanimous favor. 



A motion was then made and debated to adjourn until 

 the following evening at 8 o'clock, in order to accommo- 

 date sundry members of tho Convention who wished to 

 shoot off the ties that, they had drawn in the pigeon matches, 

 of the morning and afternoon previous; but the motion was 

 lost and the Convention adjourned until 10 o'clock on the 

 morning of the next day, September 10th The conse- 

 quence was that when the Convention met pursuant to ad- 

 journment, the ranks of the delegates was greatly deci- 

 mated, so much so, that when the ballot was taken for 

 President, only thirty-two votes were cast. Mr. Brinsrnade 

 was in the chair. 



The Committee on permanent organization reported a 

 list of nominations for permanent officers. Hon. A. C. 



Mattoon, of Oswego, and A. T. Brinsrnade, of Cleveland, 

 received an equal number of votes from the committee, 

 and were both nominated; the other nomination:', wore 

 unanimous. The formal ballot was then taken for Presi- 

 dent.. Kesult. 

 A. T. Briosraade r. 



A, 0. Mattoon } 



On motion of Mr. Mattoon, the vole WW made unani- 

 mous. A formal ballot for Vice President was taken, and 

 gave 0. Shaler Smith, of St. Louis, twenty -three votes; A. 



B. Lamberton, of Rochester, seven. Smith's election was 

 made- unanimous. Mr, C. Fitch Bissel then moved that the 

 Secretary east the unanimous ballot of the Convention for 

 the balance of the candidates as nominated-. Carried. 



The complete list, of officers of the Association is as fol- 

 lows: — 

 President— A. T. Brfnsmude, Cleveland, Ohio. 

 1st! Vice President- c. Sliatei Smith, St. bonis. 

 id Vice P I MiomaaA Logon, Cincinnati, O|t!o, 



i :-... i,- v, .-,■::. i 

 i i om. Detroit, Mich. 

 Cor. Hecretary-W F. Parker, West Meridcn, Ct. 

 Colonel Bissel then offered the following, which was ad- 



Resolved, That the thanks of this Convention be tendered to Hon. A. 

 O. Mnttoon, late picsidentof the New York Association lor the Piotee- 

 liou of Fish and Cain-, for his ludelattaable and successful efforts in the 

 promotion and inauguration of the National Sportsmen's Association. 



Mr. Maiiooii moved that the next meeting ol' the Asso- 

 ciation be in Cleveland on the second Tuesday in June, 

 1875. Carried, after some discussion. 



A committee, consisting of Messrs. Johnson, Bissell, 

 Lamberton, Clark, and Dole, was appointed to prepare res- 

 olutions which would constitute the "platform" of the 

 Association, and report at the evening session." The 

 meeting then adjourned until evening. 



EYEKmCi SESSION. 



The Association convened in the parloi of the Interna- 

 tional at 9 o'clock, the attendance still being good. The 

 President appointed as Committee on Finance, H. L. Davis, 

 ..I \ •■■■:. W.ik, 8, H. Turrell, of Illinois, YV. M. Corn- 

 ing, of Wisconsin, Charles S. Westcott, of Pennsylvania, 

 and Newton Dexter, of Rhode Island. On By-Laws, Hon. 

 A C. Mnttoon, ol New York, Thos. H. 'Manning, of 

 Kentucky, and A.G. Dole, of New Hampshire. On Laws, 

 J. S. Johnson, of Missouri, Wm. Humphreys, of Connecti- 

 cut, Robert P. Toms, of Michigan, Col. S. A Harris, of 

 Ohio, and W. J. Babcock, of New York. 



The following resolutions were then read and adopted: — 



c and ash In 

 each State, 



I the bleed- 

 ing and 



nof t 



rtain 



us. prohih- 



:als;proriibitiiU'[]m 



mi red, Tb- 



be and are solicited to be- 



< I'.o'ui a . I ibis association, so that by unity Ol action tnron-notu 

 laud wo mav accomplish and perpetuate the ttreat reform designed 



Alter the adoption of the resolutions a general discussion 

 of subjects pertaining to the protection and propagation of 

 game was indulged in by members from the different 

 Slates represented. The information imparted in a miscel- 

 laneous change of views exhibited the very best evidence 

 of the good which will ultimately result from the organi- 

 zation. 



On motion it was resolved that woodcock should not be 

 shot before the fifteenth day of September in the following 

 Stales:— New England, New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl- 

 vania, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa. Wisconsin and Minnesota. 



A resolution was also adopted authorizing the Executive 

 Committee to change the time of the next meeting to any 

 day in June should they deem it advisable. 



Adjourned sine die. 



♦♦* 



When Quaii, may bis Shot.— Quail can be shot in 

 Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont from September 1st 

 to January 1st; in Massachusetts and Connecticut from 

 October 1st to January 1st; in Rhode Island from October 

 16th to "February 1st; in New York from October 30th to 

 January 1st; in New Jersey and Pennsylvania from No- 

 vember lht to January 1st; in Maryland from October 20th 

 to January 13th; iu Missouri from October 1st to Fehruary 

 1st; in Kentucky from September 1st to March 1st; in Illi- 

 nois, town, and Michigan from October 1st to January 1st, 

 in Minnesota: from September 1st to December 1st; in Wis- 

 consin from September loth to January 1st; in Ohio 

 (amended law) from October 15th to January 1st; in Kan- 

 sas from October 1st to March 1st; iu California from Sep- 

 tember I5lli In March 15th. 



Probably no better- evidence of the confusion that exists 

 in our game laws, and the necessity for their revision, can 

 be presented than the foregoing comparative table affords. 



