work, the position of the balls gets shifted after every hoop, and during the excitement of the break one is apt to forget the commanding ball; and even if it is remembered that part of the break upon which the next player bears down is likely to be played nervously.

The ground may also be commanded by two balls placed close together, one in front of the other, after the roquet, so that on the partner's turn coming, a hard rushing roquet will send the front ball well into the play. This combination is most dangerous to the adversary, and should always be disturbed as soon as possible.

On some grounds, if the balls are left touching, it is considered that the roquet is taken on the turn coming round. In order to

о

B

avoid the loss of a rushing roquet on this score, it is only necessary, where such rule prevails, to croquet the partner's ball very, very slightly away.

To carry the principle still further, it may be laid down as a rule, not only to put a stop at once to such commands or combinations as those mentioned, but invariably to leave the next player as little to get at as possible, or still better, nothing at all, not even a long shot. This point is constantly lost sight of. By most players it is thought sufficient to leave the next player a long distance off. But, in addition, a place should, if possible, be chosen where hoops or sticks

intervene, or are likely to intervene. When once stated, this is so obvious as not to require a diagram.

Failing to put a peg or wire in the way, the next point in safety is to leave the balls in a line, so that there is only one to shoot at; and where this is impracticable, the balls should be left at such intervals.

о

о

that a well-directed long shot at one ball is not likely to fluke on to another. Thus, A has to go to the ball B, but wishes to be on the far side of it (see diagram, p. 348). Y has to play next. A should not go to A', as that leaves Ytwo balls to shoot at; but rather to A".

At this distance B is sure to hit A, and Y has only one ball to aim at, as a good stroke in the direction of B cannot fluke on to A.

When several balls lie in a nest, the striker should not let fly at random into the midst of them, if there is room to go between, but should pick out one ball, and aim at that, generally the nearest ball. There is, however, an exception to the rule of aiming at the nearest, and that is when the balls lie as in the diagram, p. 349, the ball to be played with having to come in the direction of the arrow, and being so far off that at the best the shot is uncertain. The game is then to aim at the middle ball, although it is furthest off, as a slight error in direction gives a chance of a fluke on either side.

The same applies to the position in the second diagram, p. 349, where the middle ball, though not the nearest, is not the furthest.

In arranging a combination with the partner's ball, it is as a rule advisable for the striker to go to his own hoop, as the combination effected there is more advantageous than elsewhere. But if the hoop is guarded, as by having an adversary near it, or by being in the adversary's line of play (i.e., by being a hoop the adversary is likely soon to run), the striker must find some other venue. This should be, of course, in a direction not in the adversary's line of play, and so far off that it may be a question with the adversary whether he will run. down and disturb the combination next time, or will pursue his own game. A long shot at the adversary should not be attempted as a rule, if such shot brings the ball into the opponent's line of play. Much better play the ball right away towards the far part of the ground, so that partner may come and combine there at his next turn. The place selected for combination should not be close to the boundary of the ground, as in that case it is a certainty to the adversary, on taking one off with a hard blow, to get within easy hitting distance, as will be obvious to all who are acquainted with the rough rule for taking one off detailed in the previous part. (See "The Science of Croquet," Part I., in the July number.)

There is an exception to the rule of keeping both balls together, and that is when one or both are rovers. Then, if the adversary has a chance of getting in, it is dangerous to play one, very dangerous to play both balls near the stick. For the adversary, if he does get in, takes one off, and roquets one of the two that are near together, then goes behind the other, rushes it up to the stick, and puts it out. If two rovers are near together by the stick, and the adversaries can get the break next time, it not unfrequently happens that it is the game to take a long shot at the opponents, instead of remaining near the stick. For example: A has already roqueted his partner B, and has

in

rolled him up to the stick; but has failed to put him out. If A, accordance with the general rule, goes to B, it is almost certain loss of the game. For Y takes one off Z to A B, and having two balls A has another shot, to play upon, is almost sure to put one out.

О

D

Y Z

B

о

and his best use of it is to fire at YZ. If he fails to hit them, he is no worse off; or, indeed, rather better off than if near B.

It follows, that if the stick is doubtful, as we will suppose it was in A's case, A should not have played for it at all. He should have taken one off to Y Z, have sent Y(the next player) away, and have rolled Z and himself back to B.

The two principles, combine with your partner and scatter your enemies, are the key to the whole game. The principles which follow are all, more or less, dependent on these primary ones, as will appear in the concluding part.

"CAVENDISH."

PIGS TO WIT.

BIT of good Pig Racing," said a country philosopher to us, "is worth all yon horse-running business. It's twice the fun sure-ly, and nobbut one hundredth part of the expense. It taks up a yale afternoon, and t' Leger don't tak four minnits." It would have been hopeless to meet such an argument, especially when propounded by a brawny mason, in his Sunday best, with unkempt hair, and collars up to his cheek-bones, and a visage absolutely beaming with the proud recollection of how "old sow wan." The turfite, who feebly suggested that he didn't see the great difference, as an owner could now eat his horse if he didn't run well, was at once suspected of "chaffing" (which countrymen hate of all things), and received a broadside, in unshackled Doric, such as our "steel pen"-whatever Col. Penn's might do-would despair of reproducing. The fact is, that pig racing, alias pig showing, is a very solemn British institution. Go into a local agricultural show in Lancashire and the West Riding of Yorkshire, and the vast majority of the rustics never get beyond the pigs, the poultry, and the washing machines. Booth and Bates cows are wholly lost on them, and Lady Derwent and the hunters are a drug in their eyes, except when they are "asked a question" over the hurdles.

No town in those vast hives of industry is more devoted to its agricultural show than Keighley. It is the high festival of the year, and on one occasion every window was illuminated. Choice quintets from the Brauches, Townley, and Warlaby herds have met for the cup in its ring. Sheep-dogs and rabbits are not kept back from honour, and the owner of the donkey in the best condition is rewarded with a sovereign. The "neddies" step out very differently since this stimulus was applied, when they

"Gang for the coals i' the morning,"

and "prods" will soon be a thing of the past. Still Keighley reserves its highest sympathies for the pig, and 30%. is given in "labouring men's classes" alone. For this, forty to fifty pigs, of about 300/. value, and nearly all of the middle breed, compete.