676 
TRAINING OF “ POINTEURS *’ FOR ARTILLERY. 
The great advantage of employing the target with a moveable disc 
is that the “pointeur” can actually see his errors. The main objection 
to its use is that it affords no criterion of laying capabilities at long 
ranges, and at objects such as one would meet with on service; but, 
happily, the system admits of ready development in this respect. 
8. All that is required is a large pane of glass in place of the target, 
and an iron cross instead of the disc. 
The method pursued would be as follows :— 
(а) Lay The gun on the distant object. 
(б) Bring the glass target into the line of sight at a distance of 
about 100 yards from the gun. 
(c) Raise * the tangent scale and alter the deflection. 
(< d ) Bring the cross into the line joining the tangent scale notch 
and the object. 
(< e ) Mark the position of the cross on the glass target. (This can 
easily be done with a pen and a piece of soap.) 
(f) Move the cross to any new position. 
Keep on repeating (d), {e) 3 and (f) till the required number of 
marks are obtained on the glass target. 
9. Speaking generally, the Prussian system, of which there is a 
translation by Major T. Yan Straubenzee, R.A., resembles the French. 
Would it not be advisable for us to modify our drill, and to make 
the duties of laying independent of rank; and would it not be a bene¬ 
ficial reform to abolish the preliminary paper t examination in our 
annual competition, substituting in its place a practical examination, 
conducted on the general principles described in paras. 2 and 8 of this 
paper ? 
* This is necessary, as otherwise the fore-sight would be of assistance in the subsequent operation, 
f This examination might be retained as a qualification for promotion, or for an independent 
prize. 
