Introduction

AMERICAN ARCHERY Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2007 with. funding from Microsoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/americanarcheryvOOelmerich AMERICAN ARCHERY A Fade Mecum of the Art of Shooting with the Long Bow Compiled by DR. ROBERT P. ELMER Published under the auspices of the National Archery Association of the M M United States : : C XV1 PREFACE This book was prepared as an act of the National Archery Association of the United States, and its publication authorized at the annual meeting of that body in 1916. It is made possible by the efforts of its principal author and its editor, both being Dr. Robert P. Elmer, present and for three years past Champion archer of the United States. American and other archers will be grateful to Dr. Elmer, not only for the filling of the great need for any current book at all on the sport, but for the excellence of his own con- tributions and for his diligence and discrim- ination in collecting the remainder of the chapters. Two of the chapters are substantially of matter once published in Forest and Stream. Permission has been given for its reprinting We herein. are grateful The format, the cover, the title page and other artistic requirements of the book have been made as they are by the advice and assistance of Mr. Arthur N. Hosking. We hope they are reasonably to his liking; and to him, also, we are grateful. 344520 4 Preface The medallion used on the cover and title page is from the medal designed by Mr. Cyrus E. Dallin. This beautiful work of art is pronounced by the Secretary of the Ameri- can Numismatic Society to be the best medal ever produced in America. Frequent refer- ence to awards of its replicas as prizes will be found in this book. Acknowledgement is made of the work of the remaining authors. The price of the book will be that necessary to support its publication. The wider currency it is given, the lower the price may be made for succeeding editions. If a profit is made, it will be the property of the National Archery Association of the United States. That profit will be expended for the further- ance of the sport. Therefore all promotion of the sale of this book and the making of gifts of it will work in a pleasing and profitable circle to the good of archery and archers. Verbum sapienti. Samuel G. McMeen. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Author Page I. History of American Archery. Dr. Robert P. Elmer. . 7 II. Study of Correct Archery. Dr. Robert P. Elmer 21 III. Equipment. Dr. Robert P. Elmer 33 IV. Hints to Beginners. Samuel G. McMeen 40 V. Constitution of the National Archery Association of the United States 47 VI. How to Form an Archery Club. Dr. Robert P. Elmer. 63 VII. Highest Official American Scores. Dr. Edward B. Weston 67 VIII. The Best English Scores. Dr. Edward B. Weston. ... 69 IX. Records of the National Archery Association of the United States. Dr. Edward B. Weston 73 X. The Thirty-eighth Annual Tournament of the National Archery Association of the United States. James Duff 85 XI. The Eastern Archery Association. Dr. Robert P. Elmer 103 XII. Best Scores of All Kinds and Feats of Skill. Dr. Robert P. Elmer 114 XIII. The Reddendo Arrows. J. Mark Mauser 152 XIV. Scoring by "Points." Dr. Robert P. Elmer 156 XV. Flight Shooting. Dr. Robert P. Elmer 160 XVI. An American Origin for the Point of Aim. Dr. Robert P. Elmer 171 XVII, Arrowhead, the Archers' Flower. Dr. Robert P. Elmer . 176 XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI. XXII. XXIII. XXIV. XXV. French and Belgian Archery. Dr. Robert P. Elmer. . . 178 Choice of Woods for Bowmaking. James Duff 183 Bows and How to Make Them. J. M. Challiss 192 Yew Bow Making. Dr. Harold G. Goldberg 220 How to Make a Bowstring. L. W. Maxson 244 Notes on Arrow Making. Z. E. Jackson 247 The Composite Bow. Samuel G. McMeen 280 Glossary, Dr. Robert P. Elmer 285 5 CHAPTER I History of American Archery By Dr. Robert P. Elmer IN THE minds of Americans the concepts relating to bows and arrows have two widely different deii nations and yet, in the development of the sport of archery in this country, these sources are so intermingled that it cannot be said which has had the more potent influence. From prehistoric times to the present day the American Indians, though in constantly decreasing numbers, have used bows and arrows as their chief means of procuring food and as valuable weapons in war. Filled with tales of the frontier, boys without number have fashioned primitive imitations of the redman's equipment and have endeavored to emulate his prowess in the hunt and on the war-path. On the other hand the white man inherits legends of the bow from mediaeval Europe, with Robin Hood standing first in his imagination and behind him the archers of Crecy, Agincourt, the Wars of the Roses and the Norman Con- '8" ' American Archery quest, with hosts of others whom his reading of history and romance have furnished. More distant still are the classic bowmen of Greece and of the vanished empires of Africa and Asia. These two streams of inspiration flowed together in the formation of the first archery club in America of which we have any record. "The United Bowmen of Philadelphia" was founded in 1828 by Titian Ramsey Peale. This young man, born in 1800, was a member of the famous family of artists of that name, and to secure drawings of the wild life of our West* he had accompanied, as assistant naturalist, the United States expedition under Major Long which explored the region from the Mississippi to the Rocky Mountains in 1819. From the Indians he had learned a love for the bow which he cherished until, a few years later, it led him to gather together five friends and start the club. To harmonize the sport with the conditions of civilization they were obliged to take as patterns the organizations already existing in England. That "The United Bowmen" was prosper- ous is well proven. Its membership was limited to 25 and, in all the years of its History of American Archery 9 existence a total of 57 had joined. They must have presented a brave appearance as they stood in line, for they shot from under a long pavilion which was supported by 25 poles, from each of which flew the flag of the archer beside it, and they were dressed in frock coats of Lincoln green, ornamented with gold braid, broad straw hats covered with green cloth and turned up with three black ostrich plumes, black belts and white panta- loons. The club published a little book called "The Archer's Manual," copies of which may still be found in public libraries. Its annual competitions were attended by as many as two thousand spectators, and not until 1858 did it stage its last contest. In 1888 the surviving members met for the last time and deposited their trophies and archives with the Pennsylvania Historical Society, where they may now be seen. The trophies are in a showcase which can be opened only by breaking the glass. Chief among them is a superb punch bowl, awarded annually to the champion. His name was engraved on a tag suspended from the rim and he was expected to embellish the outside with a heavy, silver acanthus leaf. Other IO American Archery trophies are a silver goblet for the second man, a smaller goblet for the man who made the hit nearest the center and a brooch for the sixth man. Strangely enough the third, fourth and fifth men received nothing. In 1859 the secretary wrote: "No grounds, no shooting." After that came the stirring events preceding the onset of the Civil War and archery suddenly ceased, to remain in desuetude for twenty years. Its revival then was very similar to its origin, for again a young man hunted among the Indians and afterward introduced the sport to civilization. Maurice Thompson, a young Confederate veteran who, in the closing days of the war, had been wounded in the chest, returned to his home in Georgia only to find it in ruins. Ordered by his doctor to an open air life in a still warmer climate, and too reduced in circumstances to live by other than his own efforts, he and his brother Will H. Thompson journeyed to Florida and there encamped with an Indian guide. Fire-arms were forbidden them because of their recent belligerency, so they made crude bows and arrows. With practice they became excellent shots, game was superabundant, and as their History of American Archery n skill in hunting increased they also learned to fashion better weapons. Fortunately Maurice Thompson was "a writer as well as a fighter" and a few years later, in 1877 and 1878, he published a series of articles in Scribner's Magazine which related, in exquisite prose, his experiences in the woods and which, soon afterwards, were collected in a volume named "The Witchery of Archery." People at that time had no other lawn sport than croquet and they eagerly welcomed this more active exercise. Archery clubs sprang into existence as though by magic all over the United States, armed with anything from Indian weapons to the finest imported English goods. The Chicago Archery Association conceived the idea of coordinating all this energy and so they issued a call for a convention of archery societies to meet at Crawfordsville, Indiana, where Maurice Thompson was then living, to consider the propriety of creating a National Archery Association for the United States of America. The meeting was held on January 23rd, 1879, in the office of the mayor, and was attended by representatives of clubs in eight cities. The organization was duly 12 American Archery effected, with Maurice Thompson as ^presi- dent, and it was voted to hold the first Grand National Tournament at Chicago, for three days in August, 1879. This tournament took place, as ordered, at White Stocking Park, now a part of Grant Park. Archers gathered from far and near, armed with material of every description, to the number of 89, a record of attendance A which still remains unbroken. brass band furnished music, caddies collected the arrows while the luxurious archers sipped refresh- ments, Society, in force, lent the glamor of its presence and about two thousand dollars worth of prizes, in cash, medals and mer- chandise, was competed for. Precedents were established of deciding the Championship by the Double York Round, the Woman's Cham- pionship by the Double Columbia Round, and the Men's Team Championship by the Ameri- can Round. The names of the winners of the chief events in this and the succeeding tournaments can be found in the tables elsewhere. Of the participants the only one who are known to be still shooting are G. F. Henry and Tacitus Hussey, of Des Moines, Will H. Thompson, of Seattle, and Dr. E. B. History of American Archery 13 Weston, of Tropico, California, but until recently of Chicago. Homer S. Taylor, who is still one of the most skillful archers in the country, was present as a spectator. The chief effect of this tournament was the general recognition of the N. A. A. as the center of influence in archery and of its annual tournament as the one preeminent archery event of the year. The next two meetings were held in Buffalo and Brooklyn. They were both very successful but, after that time, interest in the game seemed to become centralized in Chicago, Washington and Cincinnati and the succeed- ing tournaments were held either in those cities or in places which might be considered as tributaries of them. Changes in the program were made as experience widened. In 1881 the ladies began to shoot the Double National Round, as practiced in England, and thenceforward the championship was decided by that, instead of by the Double Columbia Round. Flight shooting was introduced in 1882 and, in the same year, the Team Contest was changed from a single American Round to its present form. The Team Contest for ladies was 72 14 American Archery arrows at 40 yards, in 1882 and 1883 and as at present, thereafter. In 1883 the Double American Round was invented, for the pleasure of those who did not care for the long range shooting, and the winner was recognized as the American Round Champion, although he was always acknowledged to be inferior in rank to the York Round Champion. During the last decade of the nineteenth century the great popularity of tennis, cycling, and other fascinating sports did much to overshadow the lustre of archery, yet clubs continued to flourish, here and there, the annual tournaments were always held and the marksmanship of the contestants at them was almost uniformly meritorious. Until 1902 the chief stars were Maxson, Williams, W. A. Clark and W. H. Thompson among the men and Mrs. Howell and Mrs. Phillips among the ladies. The only records that survive from that period are the Flight Shot of 290 yards, by Maxson, the Single National of 68-398, by Mrs. Howell and the Double National of 132-756, also by her. The year 1903 marks an epoch in archery in that it saw the return to the game of Dr. E. B. Weston, of Chicago. When it was History of American Archery 15 decided that archery should have a place on the program of the Olympic Games, to be held in St. Louis in 1904, it was found that there was no one in the Middle West who was qualified to take the matter in charge. In this predicament Dr. Weston was persuaded to devote his energies to reviving the sport in that part of the country and he set about it with such vigor and persistence that his name is honored by every archer. After a rest of 19 years he shot at the tournament of 1903, at Niagara Falls, with amusing results. He himself delights in telling that out of 72 arrows at 100 yards he made 2-8, thus challenging the record of John Wilkinson who had made 1-9 in the previous year. About this time, partly because of the Olympic Games, the spirit of vitality in archery became renascent and each succeeding year has seen it grow more robust. The 1904 tournament was held in the stadium at St. Louis and the shooting was done in a sea of mud. It had rained for fifteen hours before the contest began, so that it was nec- essary to furnish the archers with planks to stand on. At the end of the four days shooting some were still using them. During these 6 2 1 American Archery two years the future champions Bryant and Richardson first appeared in competition. In 1905 the tournament was held in Chicago, with the largest entrance list since 1889. Numerous archers of former days returned to the sport and new ones of great promise became interested. In 1906 a successful meeting was held at Boston and then for five years the archers mustered at Chicago, mainly for the reason that Dr. Weston was willing to do all the hard work. While all these meetings were on a high plane, in every particular, that of 1910 is chiefly memorable, for there, shooting in a high wind, Harry B. Richardson made the American records of 116-566 for the Single York Round and 231-1111 for the Double York Round. In the Grand National of England this has been exceeded only once, in 1857, when Ford made the world's record of 245-1251. At the end of this quinquennial it became apparent that the increasing number of archers in the East deserved recognition and so 191 saw a highly successful tournament held at Boston, under the presidency of a new and enthusiastic archer, B. P. Gray. The range History of American Archery 17 was laid out on the athletic field of Harvard University and luncheon was served in the adjacent stadium. The shooting was exceptionally good. G. P. Bryant made 230-1094 in the Double York Round, thus getting four figures for the second time in America, and he created the present records for the Single and Double American Rounds with 90-618 and 1 77-1 153. For the first time three contestants got over 1000 in the Double American Round. > In 1913 Boston was the host again. The only noteworthy performance this year was Mrs. Bryant's record flight shot of 251 yards and 2/10 foot. Since 1910 considerable interest in archery had been developing in some of the suburbs of Philadelphia, along the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, so it was voted to accept an invitation from the Merion Cricket Club at Haverford, to hold the 1914 tournament there. The spacious house of this fashionable club offered every convenience to the archers and the velvet lawn, backed by stately trees, made a setting for the targets which has never been excelled in beauty. Although the 8 1 American Archery entry list was unusually large, no important records were broken. The most interesting feature was the Double Columbia Round which was so closely contested that the relative position of the first three ladies depended on the last arrow. Three successive tournaments in the East made it seem advisable to revisit Chicago in 191 5. This meeting was handicapped by A execrable weather. wet chilling wind, such as is only too common in Chicago, swept in continually from the lake and on the last day there suddenly descended a deluge as though the flood gates of heaven had burst. In a few minutes the field was ankle deep with water, making it necessary to strike from the program all the events scheduled for that day. In spite of the bad conditions Miss Wesson made the records of 72-510 for the Single Columbia Round and 144-998 for the Double Columbia Round. She was shooting in such wonderful form that with better weather the national records would undoubtedly have been in serious danger. In archery there is no line between profes- sionals and amateurs, so the members of the N. A. A. were able to express their unanimous History of American Archery 19 choice by electing James Duff, our popular fletcher, to be president for the following year, in which the tournament was held in his home town of Jersey City. The Scottish American Archers and the Clan McLeod took the big event under their canny guidance and the delightful result is fresh in ' the grateful memories of us all. Although the attendance was very satisfactory it would have been much larger had it not been for the appre- hension produced by the great epidemic of infantile paralysis in the neighboring cities of Newark and New York. However, the shooting throughout was of a very high grade. For the second time three men passed the thousand mark in the Double American Round, for the third time the four figures were obtained in the Double York Round and the flight shot was within six inches of the record. The comfort of the archers was pro- vided for in every way, particularly by a long awning for the ladies to stand under while shooting, a feature which recalled the pavilion of the United Bowmen of Philadelphia. At the closing banquet about forty braw Scots appeared in full Highland costume, their bows and arrows replaced by dirk and 20 American Archery skean-dhu. Here good-fellowship reigned supreme until the piper had squeezed the last tune through his chanter and the whole assembly, with arms crossed and hands clasped, had fervently sung "Auld Lang Syne." Study of Correct Archery 21 CHAPTER II Study of Correct Archery By Dr. Robert P. Elmer WHEN Roger Ascham, in 1542, wrote Toxophilus, "this Englishe matter in the Englishe tongue for Englishe men," he set the fashion for all future writers on archery by dividing the act of shooting with the long-bow into five parts, which he called, in the order of their occurrence, Standing, Nocking, Drawing, Holding and Loosing. As each of these is a step which must be mastered separately before the archer can rise to a plane of merit, I will still follow, in this short thesis, the "Scholemaster's" classic lead. At the same time I will try to present to the novice such other directions that he may know what to do from the moment he steps to the Shooting line till the arrow is quivered in its mark. First of all he should study, with great care, the Constitution of the National Archery Association and, so far as possible, conform his shooting to its rules. After that, let us hope he may find what follows a guide to help him in practical shooting. 22 American Archery The six arrows, to be shot at one end, may- be carried on the person, in a quiver or trouser's pocket, or they may be stood on the ground in front of the archer in some kind of recep- tacle. To string the bow, grasp its handle with the left hand, the back of the bow being upper- most, and place the lower end, just above the tip, against the hollow of the left foot. Place the "heel" of the right hand against the upper end of the bow, below the loop of the string, and take the loop lightly between the thumb and forefinger. Then, holding the left hand steady, push hard with the right, letting it slide toward the nock and carrying the loop up till it falls into its groove. All pressure should be exerted on the bow, not on the string. To unstring the bow, bend it in the same way and pick the string out, lightly, with the first finger. The correct stand is very important. In archery one does not toe the mark, he straddles it. The heels should be about nine inches apart in the line the arrow is to follow, the archer, therefore, standing with his left side toward the target. The feet may be either in their natural position or, as taught by Dr. Study of Correct Archery 23 Weston, the left foot may be at right angles to the line of the heels and the right foot point about forty-five degrees backwards. The weight should be borne evenly by both feet. The body should be perfectly erect. The position of the head must vary somewhat with the individual. Classically, it should first be erect, as with a soldier at "Attention," and then turned sharply to the left so that the target is seen over the left shoulder. Yet for some people it is necessary to crane the neck, or tilt the head slightly, in order to provide for two essentials in archery, one, that the nock of the arrow be directly under the right eye, and the other that there be a clear way for the string. Many archers, especially ladies, find that in the orthodox position the string hits the left arm, elbow, shoulder or chest, causing great pain and ruining the shot. Such people must hold the shoulder well down and back and sometimes must even face slightly toward the target, changing the position of the feet accordingly. To nock the arrow, grasp the bow-handle exactly as it will be held in shooting, the hand 24 American Archery being even with the top of the handle, and hold the bow horizontal. Take the arrow by the nock, with the thumb and forefinger, and lay it on the bow, just touching the hand. Then fit it to the string, with the cock feather out, at exactly right angles, remembering that this relation is to the string and not to the bow, which may be crooked. During this operation the arrow may be steadied by the left fore finger, but it is not at all necessary to do so. To draw the bow, hook the first three fingers under the string (the bow still being horizontal), with the arrow between the first and second, so that the string rests on the middle of the pads of the first joints. Then, turning the bow to a vertical position, raise the left arm stiffly, with elbow locked, straight away from the body, like a pump- handle, till the hand is level with the chin. Regarding the grip on the bow-handle there is a difference of opinion. Most authors say to grasp it with all one's strength but, personally, I prefer a very loose grip, the arm, and wrist however, being stiff as steel. The reason is derived from the fact, experimentally proven, that when a bow is held in a vise the Study of Correct Archery 25 arrow will fly far to the left. In shooting by hand an arrow goes straight because it pushes the bow a fraction of an inch to the right and, obviously, this can be done more freely when the grip is loose than when it is tight. After thus elevating the bow proceed, with such quick movements as to save one's strength for the aiming, to draw the string back so that the pile rests on the hand and the nock is directly under the right eye, not necessarily near that organ but somewhere, on the face or neck, in the vertical line dropped from it. At every shot, no matter what distance from the target, the arrow must be drawn to its full length and held there, until loosed, with- out being allowed to creep forward so much as an eighth of an inch. In drawing, keep the elbow free from the body and fully as high as the hand. This allows the powerful muscles of the shoulder and shoulder-blade to do most of the pulling and makes one feel that he "puts his body into the bow," as Bishop Hugh Latimer expressed it. The hand must follow in the line of the arrow, bending sharply from the forearm at the wrist. The arrow must next be aimed, and the majority of archers do this with both eyes 26 American Archery open. There are many, however, who close the left eye. It is probable that in target shooting one way is as good as the other, but in hunting it is quite necessary to use both A eyes in order to judge distance. beginner will often find, to his surprise, when his arrows are missing by wide margins, that he is not sighting with the right eye, as he thinks he is, but, inadvertently, is catching the aim with the left. In such a case he must shut the left eye until his vision be straightened out. The most difficult thing in aiming and, indeed, in all archery, is the control of the nock end of the arrow. The tip can be seen, and its position accurately adjusted, but the rear end, which is just as important, must be controlled entirely by touch. Thus, some archers draw to the angle of the jaw, some to the corner of the mouth, some to a tooth (felt through the lip), some to the Adam's Apple and some to the end of the collar-bone but everyone, who wishes to shoot well, must find some part of his facial or cervical anatomy, in the line below the right eye, to which he can always draw the nock with unfailing precision. Study of Correct Archery 27 The right hand being immovably fixed it follows that all variations in aim must be made by altering the position of the left hand, in either vertical or horizontal direc- tions. This means that one must bear in mind two things, the line to the target, which is easily found by sighting along the shaft, and the elevation of the arrow. " Elevation" means the height of the tip with relation to the nock and is what determines the distance the shaft will fly. Forty-five degrees will give the greatest trajectory but much less is required for ordinary shooting. To get the correct elevation, and have it the same for each succeeding arrow, one must make use of an expedient originated by Horace Ford and called by him "The Point of Aim." The meaning of this term may be explained as follows. When the arrow is fully drawn, and pointed in the line toward the target, the archer raises his left hand as much as his judgment directs and then, sighting over the tip of the pile, notes what his gaze falls on. Perhaps it is a dandelion, a lump of earth, a cloud or some other object. If, when shot from this elevation, the arrow hit the target, the object 28 American Archery which the archer sees over his tip is his point of aim and he can get the correct trajectory for all his subsequent arrows by sighting their tips on that same point. If his arrow go too low, he must take a point of aim farther away, if too high, one nearer to himself. For most archers the point of aim at ioo yards is high in the sky and consequently impossible to find on certain shooting grounds. A special method of aiming, devised for this distance, is to paint a small white or black ring on the arrow, so placed that, when the elevation is right, the ring will be in line between the eye and the target. This is a good way but it requires considerable practice because, while the target is visible to the left eye, it is concealed from the right eye by the bow-hand. If, however, both eyes be kept open and the gaze centered fixedly on the target, there will be produced an optical illusion of looking through the bow-hand, with the ring on the arrow seen vaguely by indirect vision. Authorities differ as to whether, in shooting at the shorter ranges, the gaze should be centered on the target, with the point of aim seen by indirect vision, or whether the Study of Correct Archery 29 latter should be in primary focus and the former seen only vaguely. Probably either way is correct, provided the archer be con- sistent and do not let his eye wander. Holding is really a part of aiming. It refers to the time in which the arrow is held motionless just prior to the instant of flight, when that final coordination of eye and muscle is effected which is the acme of refined technique. Roger Ascham taught that this moment should be so brief as to be " better perceived in the mind than seen with the eye." Nevertheless, I have noticed that all the best shots in this country hold until they are perfectly certain that their aim is accurate and that all else is as it should be. In this connection I would say that a valuable, but difficult, thing to learn is to relax the string, without loosing the arrow, and begin the shot again when one feels that something is wrong. The frequent remark, "I knew that was not right before I shot it," is a reproach to the archer. If the archer has nocked, drawn, aimed and held his arrow precisely as he has been directed to do he is now ready for the final act which frees the shaft from his control 30 American Archery and leaves it to be guided only by the laws of physics. Of all things in the art of shooting loosing is the most important. Without a good loose all that has been done before counts for naught. I emphasize this particularly because most beginners seem to think that the aim is everything, forgetting that the flight of the arrow depends wholly on its position at the moment when it finally quits the string and on the propulsive force behind it, and that both of these factors may be ruined by the slightest side pull or sluggishness in loosing. To secure a good loose remember that the string must be borne on the first pad of each finger, and never hooked in the joint itself. Furthermore, the weight of the pull must be even on each finger. Usually the third finger has a tendency to carry most of the strain and the second much less, while the first finger takes up its share of the burden so reluctantly that it has been nicknamed, by Will Thompson, "The Shirking First." The ideal loose is the one that liberates the string with a minimum of disturbance and retains the full tension of the bow up to the very last. It cannot be obtained by Study of Correct Archery 31 plucking the fingers off the string, as a harper twangs his instrument, because that would disconcert the aim. Neither will it suffice simply to open the fingers and let the string escape, for then the cast of the bow is lessened. The best way is to stiffen the arm still further, by a pull of the muscles that connect the shoulder-blade with the shoulder, as though one were continuing to draw, while the string is allowed to roll, at the same identical moment of time, off the tips of the three fingers. It seems to me that Ascham should have added to his description of shooting a sixth division, which he might have called pausing, for, after the string has left the hand, the archer must stand, for a moment, like a statue, in the exact pose that he held at the instant of loosing. Otherwise he will find it impossible to keep the muscles at precisely the same tension while the arrow is crossing the bow. The left hand must not drop an iota and the right hand must remain resting firmly against the spot it has been drawn to. The best index at this point is the right elbow. If it has not dropped even a small fraction of an inch, the loose will probably have been a good one. 32 American Archery In conclusion I would say that in no sport is the need of exactness in detail greater than it is in archery and, also, that the practice which leads to virtuosity consists not so much in mere frequency of shooting as in the careful study of every shaft that is sped. Equipment 33 CHAPTER III *Equipment By Dr. Robert P. Elmer THE beginner will find the following instructions helpful to him in selecting his equipment, or "Artillery" in the original meaning of the word. Arrows Of all things in the equipment of the archer the most important is the arrow. Unless every shaft be perfect and exactly like its fellows it is impossible to shoot well, no matter how good the rest of the tackle maybe. Arrows may be plain or footed. The former are made of one piece of wood and are fit only for toys. The latter have a shaft of soft wood with a "foot," or piece of hard wood, spliced on the pile end. This foot balances the arrow, so that it has a better -- *Note. It used to be that archery goods made in England were much better than those made in America. Of late years, however, our domestic products have been so much improved that now they fully equal, if they do not even surpass, the foreign makes. 34 American Archery flight, and also makes it much less liable to break. The shaft should be Douglas fir, spruce or Norway Pine. The foot may be of any strong, heavy wood. The pile, or point, of the arrow should be in the shape of a cylinder with a bev- elled end. The nock, or slotted piece for the string, may be of fibre, horn or aluminum. The first two are wedge-shaped and set into the wood. The aluminum nocks are fitted over the end, like ferrules, and may be either tubular, as patented in England by Aldred, or cut from the solid bar, as used in America by Duff. Metal nocks are less apt to be injured when hit by another arrow, than are those of horn or fibre; the solid nocks are stronger than the tubular. The best feathers are from the turkey. They should be stiff and cut to exactly the same shape. White, or brilliantly colored feathers, are better than those of sombre hues because they can be seen more readily in the grass. Men's arrows should be 28 inches long, although a very tall or short man may require an inch more or less than that. They : Equipment 35 should weigh from 300 to 420 grains, in proportion to the strength of the bow. English arrows are marked in shillings; equivalent to 87X grains to the shilling. Women's arrows should be 25 inches long and should weigh from 277 grains to 341 grains. Bow The parts of the bow are named as follows Back, Belly, Upper Limb, Lower Limb, Handle and Nocks. Bows are of two kinds, A self and backed. self bow is made either of one long stave or of two short staves spliced at the handle. Backed bows are made of two or more strips of wood glued together, either continuous or spliced. By this means the back can be made of raw-hide, or more often, of some wood possessing great tensile strength, like hickory or the sap-wood of yew, while the belly is made of a soft wood capable of high resiliency under com- pression stress. Belgian and French bows, which are usually exquisitely made, often have three or even four laminae of wood but English and American bows seldom have more than the two. 36 American Archery Experts agree that the yew bow is the most pleasant to shoot, because of the smoothness of its draw. The relative merits of the self yew and yew-backed yew have been much discussed but the difference, if any exist, is practically negligible. In general it may be said that backed and self bows are equally good, the method of manufacture depending more on the material of which the bow is made than on anything else. Although yew bows are nice to have they are very expensive and will not make a bit better scores than the cheaper lemonwood bows usually found in the shops. Bryant made the N. A. A. record for the American Rpund with a lemonwood bow a.nd Rendtorff made his wonderful practice scores with one. In selecting a bow, one should string it and see that the cord is then parallel to the handle. If this be not the case it means that one limb is too strong for the other. He should then pull the string back about a foot and let it go. If the bow give a big kick in the hand it shows that the two limbs do not return to their normal positions at the same moment. Next he should draw the full distance and note whether the curve of each Equipment 37 limb be regular and whether the bow gives? or bends, in the hand. This latter is a grave fault, because the centre of the bow, for about eight inches, should not bend at all if the bow is to have a good cast. ' Men's bows are six feet long and weigh from 35 to 55 pounds. By " weight," is meant the tractive force necessary to draw a 28 inch arrow to the head. Forty-two pounds is a good weight for the average man. The beginner almost invariably selects too strong a bow, not realizing that it is impossible to shoot accurately with strained muscles. Women's bows are 5 feet 6 inches and weigh from 20 to 35 pounds for a 25 inch arrow. Bracer The bracer, or arm-guard, is a piece of leather laced to the flexor surface of the fore- arm to protect it from the whipping of the A string. very satisfactory kind is made of harness leather furnished with hooks like those on men's shoes. FlNGER-TlPS The most popular protector for the fingers is made by reinforcing the tips of the first 38 American Archery three fingers of an ordinary suede glove with pieces of thin, but stiff, leather. Leather thimbles are preferred by some and are satisfactory if care be taken to get a perfect fit. The best kind has the end left open and the part over the finger nail cut away. Strings Before the war the best strings came from Germany and Belgium. At present it is necessary to use domestic strings, which are manufactured according to the directions given by Maxson elsewhere in this book. Quiver Quivers are almost indispensable for women and are preferred by many men because of their cleanliness. All the patterns usually sold are satisfactory. Many archers prefer to lay their arrows on a stool, or rack, in front of them, or to stand them in a vase. The heavy glass discs, perforated with several holes for holding separate flower stems, serve admirably. The holders made for surf-casting rods do very well. Equipment 39 Target Stands These are simply made of three pieces of one inch by three inch white pine, with a loose bolt, or pintle, through them near the top. The outer staves are 6 feet long and the middle 6 feet 6 inches. They can be spread out to form a tripod to hang the target on. The string is simply thrown over the top, no special hook being necessary. The iron stands sold by most dealers are pernicious in the extreme. They break the arrows almost constantly and should never be used. Target The target must be up to the full size of 4 feet in width and 4 inches in thickness. It should be well tested with the finger to see that the straw is thick and hard at every point, as a target'that is soft, or loosely wrapped, is wholly useless. The face should be painted in dull colors that will not glisten in the sun, and the red and blue rings should be in pale shades so that the arrows can be seen in them easily. 4-0 American Archery CHAPTER IV Hints To Beginners By Samuel G. McMeen THE best one hint to a beginner is: Follow the methods laid down by Dr. Elmer in the chapters in this book on correct archery and equipment. There are a few points not touched upon by the authorities, however, on which one beginner perhaps may best be taught by an- other. It is probably for that reason that this chapter was assigned to the present writer. One of these is the trouble of the arrow falling from the knuckle of the left hand as the latter is lifted to the shooting position and the draw is begun. The advice usually given to the novice on this point by the experienced archer is: "Keep on trying; that trouble will disappear in time. I used to be bothered by it years ago, but not for very long." Probably true, but not of much use to the beginner. The writer's belief is that this falling of the arrow from the left hand is due to the failure Hints to Beginners 41 of the first finger of the right hand to pull hard enough on the string, and to the consequent pressure of that forefinger downward on the arrow when the latter is in the horizontal position. That is, the string tends to pull the drawing fingers of the beginner into V a full with the nock of the arrow at the apex, while the fingers of the trained archer resist the string more fully and hold their portion of it more nearly vertical. The remedy is to force the forefinger of the drawing hand to do its work. An expedi- ent of help while that finger is getting trained, is to place the forefinger on the string a sensible distance from the arrow at the time of nocking, and so to prevent the pinching of the arrow that brings on the trouble of its sliding from the bow-hand knuckle. Make the forefinger do its work. Another trouble of the beginner is that the side of the right forefinger next to the second finger develops soreness and perhaps a blister. To avoid this, consciously set that finger a little distance from the arrow at the time of nocking; use surgical tape on the tender part of the finger; if the will cannot control the muscles, fasten a bit of cork to the glove 42 American Archery between those two fingers so that they must keep a little apart. Also, make the forefinger do its work. Hold the breath during the acts of aiming and loosing. Learn as early as you can what is meant by the "point of aim." It is not an abstruse subject. Some beginners practice it naturally from the outset. The whole subject may be said to be the art of hitting the target better by looking at something else than at the gold. There is for an archer, with given equip- ment, only one distance at which on a calm day the point of the arrow will be directly between his right eye and the gold. That distance is more likely to be eighty yards than any other of the standard target distances. If it be eighty yards, and he shoot correctly in all other particulars, he can soon become a better archer at that distance than he is at a greater or less distance, unless he masters the point of aim. This he may do readily, if he will merely hold the point of the arrow between the right eye and some other object than the gold when shooting at distances other than the single one here assumed. At the greater distances, the point Hints to Beginners 43 of aim of most archers is above the target. At all the distances of the American Round, the point of aim is on the ground in front of the target for all archers who draw to the bottom of the chin or below it. Master the point of aim early in your career. See it by direct vision, and the gold by indirect. See that the arrow lies in the line to both the point of aim and the gold, unless wind-allowance is required. Keep the point of aim directly between you and the gold, unless wind-allowance is being made. If in doubt that you are standing in the right place to meet the last-named caution, hold your bow at arm's length so as to make a plumb-line of the string, and see if the latter cuts both the gold and the point of aim. You will be surprised at the untruths your eyes tell you. Check them up from time to time. When a point of aim is established on a certain day and for a certain set of arrows and a certain bow and the certain state of your nerves and muscles, fix it firmly in mind by reference to surrounding objects so that it may not be lost or mistaken. Have no shame in using an artificial object as a point of aim. Eggshells, gold balls, balls 44 American Archery -- of paper, dandelions, all legitimate. The ideal is a spherical mirror, smaller than a garden gazing-globe and larger than the bulb of a thermometer, as such an object reflects the image of the sun as a practical point, with no real area and with great but not blinding brilliance. Make notes of your points of aim at the several standard distances. Carry a card with marks enabling you to take quick sights with the card at arm's length, instantly establishing the distance between the gold and the point of aim. Watch the first few arrows to see if the point is true under today's conditions. Bows' strengths vary as the temperature rises and falls. Higher points of aim are necessary with the same bow on warmer days. Watch this. To what exact point do you draw the nock end of the arrow? There have been cham- pions who confessed they did not know, but they have no particular pride in that. The nock end of the arrow must be drawn to a point directly below the right eye, but that point may vary considerably in height. Find the one spot where the nature of your anatomy is best suited, and draw always to that spot. Hints to Beginners 45 Decide for yourself, after full and careful trial, whether your form is best when gripping the bow-handle rigidly, or by the lower fingers of the left hand only, the upper part of the hand relaxed. When this is deter- mined, follow the successful method to the complete exclusion of all others. Whatever the nature of the bow-hand grip, keep the left arm rigid at the instant of the loose. Happy is the archer who has trained his left arm so as to make an arm-guard (bracer) unnecessary. Except for deformed anato- mies, that training is possible. If the string touch anything but the nock of the arrow after leaving the fingers, that shot is im- paired. Therefore: String your bow fully, with due caution. Let the bracer, if you must use one, be of thin, firm, smooth leather. Watch its upper edge, that the string does not strike that. Score your shooting and PRESERVE YOUR SCORES. Not many archers can shoot without a glove or tips for the drawing hand. Make your own. A good way is to sew horsehide to the tips of the fingers of a kid glove. The kid need not be heavy. If the combination 46 American Archery of the kid and horsehide is not thick enough, put parchment cut from the edge of your High School diploma between the kid and the horsehide. For the third finger, if it be tender, use a slip of quill instead of the parchment. Pare its edges. Slip in the quill or parchment after sewing all but the lower edge of the tip. Use a round stick as a form inside the glove finger in sewing on the tips. Sew with fine silk thread, using several strands, waxed, taking close, small stitches. Let the horse- hide cover three-fourths of the circumference of the glove finger. National Constitution 47 CHAPTER V Constitution of the National Archery Association of the United States 1. This organization shall be known as the National Archery Association of the United States of America. 2. The objects of the Association shall be to encourage the practice of archery and to arrange, each year, a Tournament to determine the archery championships of the United States. 3. The officers of the Association shall be a President, three Vice-presidents and a Secretary-Treasurer. 4. There shall be an Executive Committee, consisting of the five officers and four other members, of which the President shall be chairman. It shall have full control of the business and property of the Association, except when the Association is assembled in its Annual Business Meeting. 5. The officers, and the other members of the Executive Committee, shall assume 48 American Archery the functions of office within thirty days after their election and shall hold office until the qualification of their successors. 6. All records, fully completed, and the properly audited accounts, together with the funds and all other property of the Association, shall be turned over to the newly elected officers within thirty days after the close of the Annual Tourna- ment. A 7. vacant office may be filled by a vote of a majority of the Executive Com- mittee. 8. Anyone may be admitted to membership in the Association if recommended by a member in good standing and approved by the President and Secretary-Treas- urer. 9. An application for membership must be accompanied by a Membership Fee of three dollars and an Annual Due of two dollars, which will be returned if the applicant be not accepted. 10. A member may be expelled by a vote of a majority of those present at an Annual Business Meeting. National Constitution 49 1 1 Anyone may be elected to Life Member- ship, without dues, by a special vote at an Annual Business Meeting. 12. The Annual Due for each member shall be two dollars. 13. A member shall be suspended at the end of a fiscal year for non-payment of the dues of that year. He may be reinstated at any time by paying either his lapsed dues or the initiation fee, as he may prefer, together with the dues of the year in which his reinstatement occurs. 14. The fiscal year shall end at midnight of the last day of the Annual Tournament. 15. On being originally admitted to member- ship one shall pay a Membership Fee of three dollars. 16. The Association shall hold an Annual Tournament, between the 15th of July and the 15th of September, each Year. This Tournament shall be to determine the Archery championships of the United States and for such other forms of practice and competition in archery as are directed by the Executive Committee. 17. Before a member may participate in an Annual Tournament he must pay a 50 American Archery target fee of three dollars and must be free of all indebtedness to the Association, including the dues for the current year. 18. The Association shall hold an Annual Business Meeting during the Annual Tournament. At this meeting the officers and other members of the Executive Committee for the ensuing year shall be elected, the place for the next Annual Tournament decided upon and any other business transacted. 19. The Annual Tournament shall be under the supervision of the Executive Committee, which shall be represented by a Field-Captain. When possible the Presi- dent shall be Field-Captain, but, if he cannot serve, the Executive Committee shall appoint one of the archers present. 20. The Field-Captain may appoint, to assist him, as many other general field officers as he may deem necessary. 21. At each target one archer shall be appointed by the Field-Captain to be Target Captain and another to be Scorer. 22. The following events for men must be shot at each Annual Tournament: National Constitution 51 The Double York Round, consisting of 144 arrows at 100 yards 96 " " 80 " 48 " " 60 ." The Double American Round, consisting of 60 arrows at 60 yards 60 " " 50 " 60 " " 40 " The Team Round for Men, consisting of 96 arrows at 60 yards. The Flight Shoot for Men, consisting of 3 shots, not necessarily with different arrows. 23. The following events for women must be shot at each Annual Tournament: The Double National Round, consisting of 96 arrows at 60 yards 48 " " 50 " The Double Columbia Round, consisting of 48 arrows at 50 yards 48 U " 40 " 48 " " 30 " The Team Round for Women, consisting of 96 arrows at 50 yards. 52 American Archery The Flight Shoot for Women, consisting of 3 shots, not necessarily with different arrows. 24. Other events may be added at the dis- cretion of the Executive Committee. 25. Any kind of bow, except a cross-bow, and any kind of arrow, may be used in any event. 25. The face of the target shall consist of a central disk, g% inches in diameter, and four concentric rings, each 4%, inches in width, painted, respectively, from within out, gold, red, blue, black and white. 27. The value of the colors shall be: Gold-9, Red-7, Blue-5, Black-3, White-i. 28. If an arrow cut two colors it shall count as having hit the inner one. 29. The targets shall be placed on easels, the center of the gold being four feet from the ground. 30. An arrow must remain in the target until recorded by the scorer. 31. An arrow rebounding from, or passing through, the scoring face of the target shall count as one hit and five in value. National Constitution 53 32. Each archer shall shoot, at one time, six arrows, called an "end." Unless ex- cused by his target captain he shall shoot three, yield place to his target mates and then, in his turn, shoot the other three. 33. The arrows of each archer must bear a distinctive mark. 34. Every arrow leaving the bow shall be deemed as having been shot if the archer, while standing within the line from which he has been shooting, cannot reach it with his bow. This rule is void if either the bow, string or arrow break during the shot. A 35. hit, or hits, made by an archer on a target not assigned to him shall not be counted. 36. All disputes shall be referred to the captain of the target at which they arise. From him an appeal may be taken to the Field-Captain,whosedecision shall befinal. 37. The Champion Archer of the United States shall be the archer who, in an Annual Tournament, has the highest result obtained by adding together the scores and hits of his Double York and 54 American Archery Double American Rounds. In case of a tie the archer with the greatest score wins. In case of a second tie the archer with the greatest score in the York Round wins. 38. Any woman, wishing to compete for the Championship of the United States or for the other titles competed for by the men, may shoot as a man, being subject to all the rules and conditions imposed on the men. 39. No man may compete in the events for women. 40. The Champion Woman Archer of the United States shall be the woman who, in an Annual Tournament, has the highest result obtained by adding together the scores and hits of her Double National and Double Columbia Rounds. In case of a tie the woman with the greatest score wins. In case of a second tie the woman with the greatest score in the Double National Round wins. 41. The word "Champion" shall be applied to none but these two. 42. The Winner of the Double York Round shall be the archer who has the highest National Constitution 55 result obtained by adding together hits and score. In case of a tie the archer with the highest score wins. In case of a second tie the archer with the highest score at 100 yards wins. 43. The Winner of the Double American Round shall be the archer who has the highest score. In case of a tie the archer with the most hits wins. In case of a second tie the archer with the highest score at 60 yards wins. 44. No archer shall be allowed to shoot the first and second rounds of the Double American and Double York upon the same target. 45. The Winning Team of Men shall be the team of four archers, who must have been members of the same archery club for at least one month, which has the greatest aggregate score in the Team Contest. Three men may shoot as a team but their scores must count against those made by the four-men teams if any such compete. In case of a tie the team with the most hits wins. In case of a second tie the honors are divided. 56 American Archery 46. The Winner of the Flight Shoot for Men shall be the man, or woman, who shoots an arrow the greatest distance. In case of a tie another arrow shall be shot. 47. The Winner of the Double National Round shall be the woman who has the highest result obtained by adding to- gether hits and score. In case of a tie the woman with the highest score wins. In case of a second tie the woman with the highest score at 60 yards wins. 48. The Winner of the Double Columbia Round shall be the woman who has the highest score. In case of a tie the woman with the most hits wins. In case of a second tie the woman with the highest score at 50 yards wins. 49. The Winning Team of Women shall be the team of four women, who must have been members of the same archery club for at least one month, which has the greatest aggregate score in the Team Contest. Three women may shoot as a team but their scores must count against those made by the four-women teams if any such compete. In case of a tie the National Constitution 57 team with the most hits wins. In case of a second tie the honors are divided. 50. The Winner of the Flight Shoot for Women shall be the woman who shoots an arrow the greatest distance. In case of a tie another arrow shall be shot. 51. All prizes that are competed for at an Annual Tournament shall be awarded at an Annual Business Meeting or at an adjournment thereof. Those prizes that are the permanent property of the Asso- ciation may be kept by their winners until 15 days before the next Annual Tournament, at which time they must be returned to the Secretary-Treasurer. 52. The Prizes for Men which are the per- manent property of the Association shall be awarded as follows: The York Medal to the Winner of the Double York Round. The American Medal to the Winner of the Double American Round. The 100 Yard Range Medal for the greatest score at 100 yards, barring the Champion and the Winners of the Double York and Double American Rounds. The 80 Yard Range Medal for the great- 58 American Archery est score at 80 yards, barring the Champion, the Winners of the Double York and Double American Rounds and the Winner of the 100 Yard Range Medal. The 60 Yard Range Medal for the great- est gross score at 60 yards in the Double York, the Double American and the Team Rounds, barring the Champion, the Winners of the Double York and Double American Rounds and the Win- ners of the medals for the longer ranges. The 50 Yard Range Medal for the greatest score at 50 yards, barring the Champion, the Winners of the Double York and Double American Rounds and the Winners of the medals for the longer ranges. The 40 Yard Range Medal for the greatest score at 40 yards, barring the Champion, the winners of the Double York and Double American Rounds and the Win- ners of the medals for the longer ranges. The Maurice Thompson Medal for the greatest score at 100 yards. The Spalding Medal for Men for the most Golds in the Double York Round. The Potomac Medal for the greatest National Constitution 59 score in the Team Round, whether the archer be a member of a team or not. The Pearsall Bugle to the Winning Team of Men. The DufT Arrow to the man, in his first National Tournament, who makes the greatest score in the Double American Round. The Ovington Beaker to the Winner of the Flight Shoot. The Jiles Cup to the man whose total obtained by adding together the hits and scores of his Double York and Double American Rounds shall show the greatest improvement over his similar total at the last National Tournament in which he took part. No scores more than 2 years old shall be counted. The Clan McLeod Cup to the Winner of any Novelty Shoot that the Executive Committee may place on the program. The Elmer Wooden Spoon to the man who, having shot through the whole of the Double York and Double American Rounds, shall have the lowest score in them. : 60 American Archery 53. The Prizes for Women which are the permanent property of the Association shall be awarded as follows The National Medal to the Winner of the Double National Round. The Columbia Medal to the Winner of the Double Columbia Round. The 60 Yard Range Medal for the greatest score at 60 yards, barring the Champion and the Winners of the Double National and Double Columbia Rounds. The 50 Yard Range Medal for the greatest score at 50 yards in the Double National, Double Columbia and Team Rounds, barring the Champion, the Winners of the Double National and Double Columbia Rounds and the Winner of the 60 yard Range Medal. The 40 Yard Range Medal for the greatest score at 40 yards, barring the Champion, the Winners of the Double National and Double Columbia Rounds and the Winners of the medals for the longer ranges. The 30 Yard Range Medal for the greatest score at 30 yards, barring the Champion, the Winners of the Double Na- National Constitution 61 tional and Double Columbia Rounds and the Winners of the medals for the longer ranges. The Spalding Medal for Women for the most Golds in the Double National Round. The Peacock Cup to the Winning Team of Women. The Maid Marian Arrow to the Archer, in her first National Tournament, who makes the greatest score in the Double Columbia Round. The Sidway Medal to the Winner of the Flight Shoot. The Jessop Trophy to the Winner of the Wand Shoot. The C. C. Beach Junior Brooch to the girl under 18 who makes the greatest score in the Double Columbia Round. If no archer fulfills these requirements it shall be awarded to the youngest woman present, no matter what her score may be. 54. The Dallin Medal in Gold shall be given outright to the two Champions but to no one else. 55. The Dallin Medal in Silver or Bronze may be given outright to the Winners 62 American Archery of such conditions or events as may have been announced by the Executive Com- mittee before the beginning of the Tournament. 56. * Special Prizes may be awarded at the discretion of the Executive Committee. 56. All previous constitutions are hereby revoked. 57. This constitution may be altered or amended only at an Annual Business Meeting of the Association, and by a two-thirds majority of those present. -- *Note. The only special prize now in possession of the Associa- tion (June, 1917) is the Weston Trophy, which is not numbered among the permanent prizes because it becomes the property of the archer who wins it three times in succession. It is awarded as follows: The Weston Trophy shall be awarded to the archer, of either sex, who makes the most Golds at any one end of six arrows during the Tournament. All claims must be accompanied by a record of string measurement from the pin-center to the inner edge of each arrow. How to Form an Archery Club 63 CHAPTER VI How to Form an Archery Club By Dr. Robert P. ElmBr THOSE veteran archers who are supposed to be authorities on toxophilitic subjects are continually asked the question, "How can one form an archery club?" Taking their experience as a guide, the answer to this simple query may be outlined as fol- lows. The person who wishes to start the club is usually one who, for some reason or other, has become an enthusiastic archer. In course of time he tires of shooting alone and plans to create an organization, both for the pleasure of companionship and to promote his beloved sport. How shall he secure active members for it? This is the one great problem. Archery is a sport in which it is so difficult to become proficient that, of those who essay a beginning only a small proportion persist until they acquire enough skill to make shooting a real pleasure. 64 American Archery It is well, therefore, for him to interest as many beginners as he can and, to do this, no way is so effective as to fit them out and let them shoot with equipment loaned for the occasion. Some are sure to be fascinated sufficiently to wish to continue and, with a nucleus of three or four such neophytes, a club may safely be started. After thus securing the archers a permanent range must be found. It may be on the grounds of a country club, on the lawn of a member or in any available field. Of course the more agreeable the surroundings the easier it is to lengthen the roll of members. Preferably the range should be at least 120 yards long, so that the York Round may be shot, but, in many cases, it is not possible to get more than the 80 yards required for the American and National Rounds. Nearby there should be a place where targets can be stored. Not more than two officers are necessary, a President, who acts ex officio as Field Captain, and a Secretary-Treasurer. The actual shooting should follow the rules laid down in the Constitution of the National Archery Association, except that in small How to Form an Archery Club 65 matches several archers usually toe the line simultaneously and use all six arrows at once, instead of three, in order to save time. Dues should be sufficient to provide for the purchase of new targets each year, and to pay for keeping up the range. Small entrance fees for stated matches and tournaments will furnish money for prizes. To maintain interest there is nothing better than the holding of frequent matches between the individuals of the club and, when possible, with teams from other clubs. The contests for individuals may be scratch events when the archers are fairly equal in skill but, as a general rule, more fun can be had by handi- capping each one according to his ability. Various methods of arranging handicaps are in use. Some clubs take as a basis the last score, some strike an average of three or more recent performances and some handicap on the best mark the archer has ever made. In the last case most of the cards handed in will be minus, but the incentive to do one's best is constant and there is no chance for an individual to win merely because he has had a recent slump. 66 American Archery Of course, as in any other undertaking, many problems of a local nature will arise which must be decided by one's own judg- ment but, if the founder of the club will be guided by these hints and, more particularly, by the Constitution of the National Archery Association he will probably be able to start a successful and permanent organization. Highest American Records 67 CHAPTER VII Highest Official American Records Made in Annual Tournaments of the National Archery Association By Dr. Edward B. Weston Single York Round Hits-Score Place Date H. B. Richardson Double York Round 116- 566 H. B. Richardson Single American Round 231-1111 G. P. Bryant 90- 618 Double American Round G. P. Bryant Men's Team Round 177-1153 Individual G. P. Bryant Team of 4 Men 92- SS6 Chicago Archery Association, A. E. Spink H. S. Taylor W. H. Thompson C. C. Beach 87- 461 89- 417 89- 413