204 
FIELD ARTILLERY FIRE. 
5 cartridges of another batch, of the same weight, pre¬ 
viously made up, got mixed up with, those prepared, for 
this practice with the following results : 
15 cartridges gave a mean point of impact 19 yards short 
of the target. 
5 cartridges gave a mean point of impact 158 yards short 
of the target. 
Difference 139 yards or about 13 per cent of the range. 
4. Nature of the ground, as influencing the “ jump ” of the gun. 
It appears then that it would be very unwise to accept any distance, 
however carefully measured, as the correct elevation for the range, but 
this distance must be carefully proved and verified by a system of trial 
shots. 
A leading feature of any system of ranging must be simplicity, not 
only in order that it may be quickly mastered and kept up without 
perpetual rehearsal, but also that it may not break down under the 
stress of practical application in the field. Many schemes have been 
propounded on the Continent, of which a large number have been 
abandoned solely on this ground of complication, though promising 
well in other respects such as rapidity and accuracy. 
The groundwork of all modern systems of ranging is what is termed 
the “ bracket system/'’ The method of application in our service, as 
we find it laid down in “ Field Artillery Drill,” Yol. II., and modified 
by the periodical instructions for practice, is one of great simplicity. 
We will take it as a type, also discuss some of the methods obtaining 
abroad, and deduce the broad principles upon which all the systems 
are founded. 
The ordinary German method and our own are so much alike that 
we may take them together. 
On coming into action all the guns are lpaded with percussion pro¬ 
jectiles and it must be thoroughly understood that this loading is to be 
repeated until it is stopped or changed by order of the 0.0. in order 
that he may not have to think about orders for loading when his mind 
is employed with other matters. 
All the guns are layed at the elevation ordered, that is for the eleva¬ 
tion due to the estimated range. The French vary this slightly, they 
contend that it is easier to start from the observation of a round that 
is short, it is therefore ordered that the first round shall be fired at an 
elevation less by some 200 to 300 metres than the estimated range. 
The Germans order that if the first round is over the elevation of the 
second shall be so reduced that the next round shall fall short. Where 
the observation of rounds over is difficult it certainly appears wise to 
ensure the first round being short, but where a range-finder is used the 
first shell will very possibly fall sufficiently near the target to be ob¬ 
served with ease. 
If the first round is observed short increase the elevation by an 
amount equal to about one-tenth of the range ; that is, if the range is 
