6.0 _AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. [February 
[COPYRIGHT SECURED.] 
AN ICE-BOAT REGATTA. — Drawn and Engraved for the American Agriculturist. 
are not allowed to get loose in the stable or to 
frolic in the yard. Most of the blemishes which 
have injured horses either for use or in value 
have happened at tins season, and from the 
above causes. In case a horse should be kicked 
with a sharpened shoe, a deep gash is made, 
which should be immediately stitched with a 
curved surgeon’s needle, making one stitch in a 
place, and tying the ends of the thread, and 
cutting them off before passing to another. If 
swelling occurs, bathe with cold water to reduce 
it before putting in the stitches. Prevention 
will save much needless trouble and expense. 
Ice-Boats. 
Ice-boat sailing is the most delightful of out¬ 
door sports in the winter season. It combines 
all the excitement derived from the rapid and 
easy-gliding motion of skating, without the 
severe muscular exercise incident to that sport, 
with the quieter but not less agreeable pleasure 
of a sleigh-ride. Wrapped in warm robes and 
muffled in furs, one can sail with a good ice¬ 
boat and on good ice, with plenty of sea room , 
at the rate ©f fifty miles an hour, with no re¬ 
sulting fatigue to detract from the pleasure. 
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., on the Hudson River, is 
the head-quarters of a fleet of ice-boats, which 
are fitted up in most exquisite style. During 
the present season there are boats in use built 
of walnut and other polished and ornamental 
woods, with hollow masts and spars, built ex¬ 
pressly for lightness and strength, with nickel- 
plated wire rigging and mountings. With 
warm rugs and cushioned seats, and all other 
possible comforts, these boats furnish the means 
of the most luxurious sailing. But we have en¬ 
joyed a sail on a boat built of pine scantlings 
and rough seats quite as much as we could pos- 
sibly'enjoy one with the most costly turn-out 
that could be devised. If built on correct prin¬ 
ciples, and with ordinary means of comfort, the 
plainest boat will sail as well and as pleasantly 
as the most finished. An ice-boat consists of a 
triangular frame of wood; plank or scantlings 
will answer equally well. The apex of the 
triangle is the head of the boat, and the base 
the stern. The base should have a sufficient 
spread to resist any tendency to capsize when 
sailing with a beam wind—about equal to half 
the length is a good proportion, eight feet in a 
sixteen-foot boat for instance. A floor is laid 
on this frame, on which scats may be built to 
accommodate the passengers, who may be as 
numerous as possible, the “ more the merrier ” 
being the general rule in loading. Beneath the 
frame there are three runners, one at the head, 
which is fixed on a swivel, so that it can be 
turned by the steersman, who sits at the front 
and guides the boat by this movable runner, 
and one under each corner at the stern. A 
mast and bowsprit are rigged in a similar man¬ 
ner to those of a sloop, and the sails are a jib 
and a main-sail, either with or without a boom, 
to which the sheet is attached as is usual with 
such sails. Some experience in managing sails 
is necessary before very swift sailing should be 
attempted, as the velocity attained is so great 
that au upset might be dangerous. The steers¬ 
man should be cautious and experienced, as 
on him depends in the greatest degree the safety 
of the passengers. It is well to have the run¬ 
ners grooved, or bluntly angular on the under 
surface, to gain a hold on the ice that will resist 
lateral movement. A boy’s boat may be made 
with a small frame mounted on three boys’- 
sleds, the one in front is so arranged that 
it can be turned with the feet or with two 
strings, as is seen in the picture. A mast 
and one small sail is all that is required. 
