directions for each month 105

VIII. CARPENTERING. 115
Uses of the various Tools:--Plane, Chisel Gimlet,
Mallet, Hammer, Files and Nails. 116
Stuff and Labour 121

IX. KEEPING POULTRY. 123
Nature and Situation of Fowl-House 124
The Various Breeds of Fowl 126
Choice of Stock 128
Food and Feeding 128
Laying 129
Preservation of Eggs 129
Hatching Chickens 130

X. BEES. 131
Queen Bee.--Drone.--Construction of Nests.--How
to get a Stock of Bees.--Hiving 134

PREFACE.

The prime object of this book is to induce and to teach boys and girls
to spend their hours out of school in such a manner, as to gain innocent
enjoyment while they promote their own health and bodily strength. The
Author has never lost sight of this object, considering it to be what
properly belongs to a Book of Sports.

He has, however, in many instances, had in view, in a subordinate
degree, the intellectual improvement of his young readers. He hopes that
several of the games, now described in print for the first time, will be
found, if not "royal roads," at least delightful ones, to the knowledge
of many scientific facts. There seems to be no good reason why the
_utile_ (considered intellectually as well as bodily) should not find
its place in the sports of young people, if it be so skilfully combined
with the _dulce_ as not to convert pleasure into toil.

To those who assent to what has been stated, the introduction of a
chapter on gardening will need no apology.

PART I.

GAMES WITH MARBLES.

One of the best games with marbles is

RING TAW.

[Illustration]

This is played in the following manner:--A circle should be drawn about
four feet in diameter, and an inner circle of about six inches being
also marked out in its centre, into this each boy puts a marble. "Now
then, boys, knuckle down at the offing, which is in any part of the
outer circle. Now, whoever shoots a marble out of th