1S6G.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
339 
Xhc Oaine oi*diecb:er!>!tor I>rauglits. 
POSITION NO. 6. — White to play and mn. 
Willie. 
GAME NO. 6.— DYKE OPENING. {*) 
Black, 
' I— U to 15 
WhUe, 
>1 to 17 , 16- 
3—10 
4-12 
5—8 
6-4 
7—11 
19 
19 
19 
U 
24 
23 
25 
White. 
13 to 6 
■-'5 
(«).i 
2^ 
10 
Black. 
- 6 to 10 
15 ; 17— 2 " 9 
16 I IS— 10 " 15 '.'S " l!l 
22 19— 1 " d 17 " ]:: 
23 20— 6 *• 10 13 '* 6 
16 I 21— 15 " 19 24 " 15 
25 22— li» " 2e 27 ** 2U 
27 23-26 " 30 6 " 2 
13 ! 24—30 " 25 23 " 18 
23 J25— 16 '* 19 2 " 7 
17 26—19 "23 7 •' 1] 
24 27-- 23 *' -JO II " 15 
15 1 28— 5 " 9 22 " IT 
23 J2<J— 9 " 13 17 " 14 
15—12 " lG(e) 32 " 23 ' —Drawn. 
(•) Is so callC'l from ils fancied resemblance lo a 
" Dyke.'' (Scotcli— A f'-nce nr stone wall) for, at various 
stages ()f the game the pieces form striiight lines. 
(a) 30 to 25, draws, 22 to 18. Bl.ack wins, {h) 9 lo 14, 
ilraws. (c) 23 to IS, or 28 to 24, lllack wins, {d) 7 to 11 
White wins, (c) 9 to 14, or 6 to 10 draws. 
Solution to Position .Vo. 6. (See May No,, page 191.) 
Black. Wlutf. Black, White. 
1—22 to 26 10 to 17 1 3— 26 to 31 17 to 26 
2—18 *' 82 27 " 18 14—31 " 15 and wins. 
9—10 
10— 3 
11— 8 
12— 7 
]3-l.^ " 19 
14—10 ** 26 
23 
29 
31 
17 
7(i) 26 
12 (c)21 
10(rfJ 28 
24 
30 
IIo'\T to Play Base Stall. 
The game of Base Ball may now be fairly called a na- 
tional one in this country, just as Cricket is the great out- 
door game in England, and Curling in Scotland. Almost 
every city and village has its clubs, and it is becoming a 
cuslom we desire to see more popular, for men to join the 
-^SC 
^c. 
1^L.F. 
il C. P. 
each side, is first marked out. At the corners of tliis 
square are tlie "Bases." H.B., home base , 1 B., first 
base ; 2 B., 2nd base ; and 3 B., 3d base, each of these 
occupies the space of a square foot ; on well regulated 
grounds, tlie 1st. 2nd, and 3d bases, are marked by 
stout canvas bags, paintetl white, and filled with sand or 
sawdust. At the home base is a circular plate of iioii 
painted white. A line drawn through tlie center of the 
home base and extending 3 feet on each side of it, marks 
the position of the striker. 
The pitcher's position, P, is marked by two lines par- 
allel lo the striker's line, each 12 feet long, tlie first one 
45 feet, the other 48 feet, from the center of the home 
base. These lines may all be permanently fixed by a 
plank set edgewise into the ground. This size of the 
squaie and the distance for the pitcher are intended for 
men ; boys may reduce the distances about one-sixth. 
The catcher takes liis place at C, at such a distance be- 
hind Ihe striker, as he may find most convenient to catch 
t:ie ball. The umpire is stationed at V, or, if the striker 
be lefthandeJ, he moves to a point directly opposite, 
where he can have the best view of the whole game. 
The scorer, S, should be near the umpire so as to readily 
hear and record liis decisions. The letters R.F, C.F, 
and L.F, sigTufy right field, center field, and left field; 
S.S, is for short stop — these points are occupied by the 
'* fielders," whose duties will be noted hereafier. 
A full game is played by nine on a side, the leader on 
each side being styled Captain. A larger or smaller 
number, however, can conduct the game. In playing, 
one side takes the bat, tlie other the field ; the fii st choice 
is decided by lot between the Captains. The fielders, 
are the pitcher (P), catcher (C), 1st baseman (1 B), 2nd 
baseman (2 B), 3J baseman {SB), short stop (S.5.), 
right, center, and left fieldsmen (it.F., 6'.F., and L.F.). 
If more are in the game, they are stationed by the Cap- 
lain where he judges they can do best service in catching 
the balls. The balsmen or strikers, who have the "in- 
nings" take their regular tuins upon the home base (//. 
B.), or striker's line, and the play begins. Having now- 
stationed tlie players, we will next tell them what to do. 
boys in tliis vigorous pastime, which Is admirably calcu- 
lated to promote health while affording exciting, but in- 
nocent amusement. Presuming that all our readers who 
are Interested in the matter would be pleased to know 
how to play ihe game well, we propose to give the prin- 
cipal rules and suggestions made by the best ball players. 
If possible, select for the ground a perfectly level, open 
field, 500 to 600 feet square, which should be covered with 
close, smooth turf. Where there are many players meet- 
ing frequently, it is well to have the ground kept in order 
by frequent ndling. The diagram shows the form and 
dimensions of the space immediately occupied by the 
players during a game. A square, measurins SO yards on 
A Liittle Koy^s Experience, 
jl;)ri/3rf.— This is my birthday. I am twelve years old. 
Mother says I ought to keep a diary. I asked father 
about it, and he smiled and said it would be a fine thing — 
for a v^eek. I suppose he meant I would get tired of it 
in a week. Perhaps I shall, but I am going to try and 
keep on after 1 get tired, for mother says that is the w ay 
to get things done. I wish I had written something about 
what happened every week last year. I can remember 
a good many things. My little btother Freddy was born ; 
grandmother died; Mr. AVilkins's barn was struck by 
lightning and burned down; father bi»ught the wood lot 
on the hill ; I caught a big pickerel in VVeems's pond ; 
my cousin George came from New York, and staid three 
weeks, etc. I know a good many things happened that 
I would like lo think about again, if I could only remem- 
ber them. Once in a while something comes to mind 
that had been forgotten for along lirae, and it is almost 
as pleasant as meeting an old friend. Now if I can keep 
a diary for a whole year, then I may call all such friends 
back again, just when I please. They will be like my 
kite, which sometimes goes away almost up out of siylit, 
but I can always pull it in, if the line don't break. 
I wander what father will give nie for a birthday pres- 
ent. Last year he gave me my dog Jumper. He's a real 
wide-awake, lively fellow, and knows more than any 
other anitpal on the farm. He's a full blooded New- 
foundland. There, he is barking now— he's found some- 
thing, and wants me, I'm sure. I hope its the wood, 
chuck I saw in the clover lot yesterday. Jumper oame 
near running him into the wall then, but he dodged into 
liis burrow. I'll go and see, and perhaps write some 
more to-night, if I get time and am not too sleepy. 
April 4th. — I was too tired and sleepy to write last 
night. Jumper had the woodchuck in the wail. I took 
away a few stones. Jumper dove into tlie hole, gave a 
bite and a few shakes, and that w as the end of Mr. Wood- 
chuck. I'll tan his skin to make a whip lash of, — Father 
gave me a pair of young calves ft)r my birthday present. 
He says I may have them for oxen and break them my- 
self. He will keep Ihem for the work they will do, until 
they are six years old, and then I may have what they 
will bring. Then I can buy a gun and a w atch, and make 
mother a handsome present, and get some idee books. 
I helped father plow the oat field yesterday. I drove 
the oxen. It's not very hard work, but there's so much 
of it lo do in a day, that it makes me tired. I mean to 
break my steers so they will plow without any driver. I 
received a letter from cousin George, yesterday. He 
says he is ciphering in Rule of Three. I got almost to 
it last winter, but I don't believe I can remember those 
hard fractions all summer. George is just my age. but I 
am stronger tlian he is. I hone he will come and see me 
again this summer. There goes the breakfast bell, 
and after breakfast I must go and practice gee-kan>~ 
graphy with the Jxen all day again 1 suppose. 
An In^euioii!< ]?Ionlcoy. 
An English gentleman relates the following trick of a 
pet monkey, that was kept chained in his yard. About 
three feet beyond his reach, stood a trough in which a 
pig was fed. The monkey was very fond of the barley 
meal which was frequently given to the pig. but how lo 
get it. while thus fastened, might puzzle even a wiser ani- 
mal. The monkey, liowever, hit upim the following plan. 
While the pig was feeding, the monkey seizetl the tall of 
the porker and gave it a sharp pull ; the latter turned 
quickly to return a bile, and in so doing let fall a mouth- 
ful of the deyred barley meal, whicli his cunning tormen- 
tur immediately appropriated ; he repealed the experi- 
ment with great satisfaction, until the meal was finished. 
Answers to Problem:*) and Puzzler. 
The following are answers lo the puzzles, etc., in Ihe 
May number, page 191 : 
No. 206. £/i(5ma.— Pen-knife. One sends us the 
answer, "buttermilk;" another, "bread-pan," both of 
v\liich meet the conditions of the question.... No. 207. 
JUusfrated Rebus. — B backward in naught hut s a two x I 
in the x p d n c atid f ik c o fall ewer under ta kings, or : 
Be backward in naught, but essay to excel in the expedi- 
ence and efficacy of all your undertakings No. 208, 
Connndrnms.~\. When they make a league, 2. When 
he steels a knife in the day-time. 3, Because they have 
long studded {studied) the heavens No. 209. Supply 
the letter E, and it will read: Persevere ye perfect men ; 
ever keep these prece|>ts ten. 
The following have sent correct answers up to May 7 : 
Alanson Hey, "W. Lewis, A. Jackson, Edwin Andrews, 
Ruthanna Stratton, John F. Stratton. Luman F. Pamienter, 
Amanda E. Still, Madison E, Gustin, J, K, Hallock, A, Mc- 
Donald, Henry Krell, Daniel Bolton, James E, Eshlenian.R. 
Ellis, Wilson J, Spink, Chas. H. Deatrich, Jennie Lucas, 
Daniel Frohman, Rudolph Halifax, Doe, Henry E. Mann, 
Sophie E, Mann, Louie Lorillard, L. J. Barton, C. L. Clark, 
Eden Reider, " Diamond," Ellen A. Carpenter, Emily J. 
Gregg, M. M. Rand, Thomas H, McMullin. 
>e^v pMzzles to l>e Ans^vered. 
No. 210. Illustraf'-d Rebus. — Good advice for the young. 
UCK 
TUT 
No. 211. Illustrated French Rctus.— For students. 
ILEEM! 
No. 212. Illustrated Keius.— Much in little space. 
No, 213. Mathematical 
Problem.— X. squirrel car- 
ried away nine ears of 
corn from a box. taking 
three ears away each 
time. IIow many times 
did he go to the box ? 
No, 214. Eniffma.—I 
am composed of 21 let- 
ters. My 4, I. 6, 10,5, 16, 
6, 'it is cultivated and 
flourishes In China. My 3, 
II, 7 occurs on the 
BELOW 
No. 112. 
ocean. Mv 18, 15. V2. 2. 15, 19, 9 is a very siul expression. 
My 14, 20, 13, 19 leads men to my 5, 14, 1. 6, 10, 15, 9, 13, 
10, 3, 8, 18, 21. My whole is celebrated in HisKiry, 
