COMMENDED ESSAY, 1892 . 
643 
for direct laying is found ample for indirect, the picket being, of 
course, previously put out. 
The regulations at present in force recognise and reward one layer 
per sub-division, and prescribe the training of two more. This num¬ 
ber is not sufficient. Our home batteries are at best peace cadres, and 
the reservists that join on mobilisation will certainly not be layers ; 
but any how the proportion is far too small, for even were a battery in 
action reduced by casualties to the minimum number by which it could 
still be worked—-two per gun—one of them, at least, should be a 
trained layer. It would seem desirable, therefore, to encourage the 
training of a far larger percentage of layers. The unpaid specialist 
plays, however, a lone hand, and his qualifications procure for him 
merely extra toil and no corresponding advantage. Would it not be 
possible to encourage qualified layers by the granting of a worsted 
badge ? The cost would be inconsiderable, and there would still be 
ample distinction between the proud winner of the golden L and 
pound and the humbler worsted-wearing brethren of the craft. An 
additional advantage would be the ease with which trained layers 
might be recognised in the height of action should casualties disable 
those already laying the guns. 
Whatever means be adopted to train and encourage layers, they are 
indubitably specialists, and their training should continue the whole 
year through irrespective of the stage the battery instruction is in. 
This, however, should in no wise absolve them from the obligation to 
take part and qualify in all other subjects. 
Ranging. 
Judging by the small number of pages devoted to the subject in the 
drill manual, it might almost be supposed that the ranging of' a battery 
and the regulation of the length of fuze are simple matters, requiring 
but little previous practice, and needing’ merely the observance of a 
couple of well-known rules. This is far from being the case. The 
multiplicity of natures of target, the conditions under which the bat¬ 
tery attacks them, the variety of sights (including the clinometer), the 
errors of the day, the various projectiles used, the casualties probable 
on service and the errors likely to occur in observation of fire, all 
tend to render the task of the regulation of the fire of a battery a 
most complicated one, needing much practice and absolute familiarity 
with the rules and range table. 
No case should be able to present itself which has not already been 
anticipated and thoroughly studied, and the fact that modern Fire 
Discipline centres all control in the Battery Commander’s hands makes 
it all the more incumbent upon him to thoroughly study and master 
every possible phase of the problem. Ranging, however, with the 
kindred subjects of fuze regulation and change of fire from one target 
to another, does not require to be studied in its more elementary stages 
with the whole of the personnel of the battery, and great benefit may 
be derived from the practice of ranging-drill in the lecture-room. 
For this are necessary an officer to conduct the instruction and one 
to act as Battery Commander, as well as non-commissioned officers to 
