June, 1 913 



AMERICAN HOMES AND GARDENS 



215 



become familiar with the 

 handling of a canoe will find 

 it difficult to again enjoy a 

 rowboat. Where, as is very 

 frequently the case, a num- 

 ber of canoes are owned 

 among the same circle of ac- 

 quaintances, none of the Sum- 

 mer's little social affairs are 

 more enjoyable than the canoe 

 picnics which, whether taken 

 upon some mossy pasture 

 knoll near the stream's edge, 

 or upon the water itself, fur- 

 nish an ideal way of enjoying 

 the close of a Summer's day. 

 And then, that other most 

 pleasurable social art, sing- 

 ing, is never attempted under 



the world of Nature is at its 

 best of life, or towards the 

 close of day when shadows 

 are beginning to lengthen 

 again across the tranquil 

 glossy surface of the water, 

 you glide swiftly and silently 

 to the spot you wish in the 

 reeded banks, to keep out of 

 sight, or, skirting the water's 

 edge where the purple blos- 

 somed arrow head or the 

 buoyant lily pads lie and not 

 too great a depth of water 

 indicates that your chances 

 of success are good, you can- 

 not ihelp but contrast your 

 means of conveyance with 

 the noisy row-boat. Further- 



A canoe fully equipped is easily launched by fair hands 



more ideal conditions than out upon the glassy surface of more, it will make readily accessible to you places you could 



a lake under the softeyed Summer stars, or a silver moon. never reach in a row-boat or on foot, or by any other 



If a feature of unusual novelty and excitement is wanted method or exercise. 

 for some water fete, here is a programme that will secure it. A word or two, as to the general care of canoes may not 

 Two "tribes" of three men each, dressed in bathing-suits, be amiss. It is a common practice during the Summer 

 war-paint and feathers, set forth, with suitable yells and season when the craft will be in almost daily use, to keep 

 war-whoops, from not very distant points on the shore, it lying upon its side upon the bank or shore. A much 

 Two men in each canoe paddle; the third is armed with a better method and one for which the preparation will re- 

 long pole, on the end of which is securely fastened a pad quire only fifteen or twenty minutes work with four short 

 about ten inches in diameter. These "weapons" may be posts and a couple of pieces of board is to arrange the latter 

 easily made by cutting out two circular pieces of oak board a foot or two above the ground in a horizontal position so 

 an inch in thickness, and taking them to a harness maker's that the ends of the canoe may be laid over them, holding 

 or upholsterer's, and having the cushions put on and stuffed, it clear of soil or grass and completely inverted. It is very 

 They may be covered with light leather or stout canvas, much better, however, if at all possible, to keep the canoe 

 For handles a couple of rake handles can be used, care being under cover when not in use. Even with the best of care 

 taken to fasten them very securely into the pieces of wood, the paint will in time begin to crack and chip, and the bot- 

 As the two canoes come withing reach the opponents, stand- torn is likely to receive numerous scratches from stones and 

 ing up, strive to upset each other into the water, and the other obstructions; therefore as often as is required the 

 ensuing battle is usually highly entertaining and spectacular, outside coat of paint should be smoothed down with glass 



Nor is the canoe to be over-looked as a most desirable and sand paper, after which it should be repainted. Re- 

 part of the equipment of him who takes pleasure in fresh pair any holes or scratches which may have been received 

 water fishing. Personally I have given over this game, with a piece of canvas of suitable size, if possible inserting 

 with the companion one of hunting, as I find very much it under the regular covering of the canoe and saturating 

 moie enjoyment in watching the ever-interesting protegees it thoroughly with marine glue; and there is a kind specially 

 of Nature in their enjoyment of life than in killing them prepared for mending canoes. 



for the mere sake of the killing when they are not par- Personally, however, it is for the peace, the charm, the 

 ticularly required as food. But there is a nicety and an quiet of a little afternoon family trip, with possibly a friend 

 added excitement in fishing or in gunning either for that along, that I most enjoy canoeing. No other motion — 

 matter from a canoe which to me always enhances the pas- unless it be that of flying, which I have never had the op- 

 time considerably. Through the early morning mists when portunity to try — is comparable to it, at the right season. 



A small, quaintly-bridged river amid woodland glories, is an ideal canoeing course 



