. Yachts are the most
graceful of water-craft, but the old dory is not to be despised. One of
the marines which took a prize last year was entitled, "Stranded." It
was the picture of a once handsome yacht, which had been driven ashore
by a storm, and was lying partly on its side on the beach. The cloud
effects in this picture were very good, and added much to the beauty of
the picture. The picture was well taken, and the subject a rather
uncommon one for a photograph.

Another marine sent in last year was a picture of a lighthouse, built on
jagged-looking rocks, taken when the tide was just coming in. Still
another, which was not strictly a marine, was a view of a long line of
vessels drawn up at the dock. The picture had the effect of a street of
ships instead of houses.

The prizes offered for marine and landscape views are less than those
offered for figure studies, as marines or landscapes are usually much
easier pictures to make than figures.

The entry for "Marines" closes on October 15th, for after that date
there is usually little opportunity for making successful water
pictures. Be sure and get your pictures in at least a week before this
date. Take special pains with the finishing and mounting, as technical
excellence is one of the points for which the pictures are to be marked.

SIR KNIGHT JOHN H. CHAMBERS says that his last batch of negatives
were so black that he could get no prints, and asks if there is
any way to remedy them. The plates were developed too long and are
too dense. This can be reduced by the following process: Cyanide
of potassium, 1/2 oz.; water, 10 oz. Dissolve and add 2 drachms of
bromine water. Soak the plate in clear water for a few minutes
till the film is softened, and then immerse in this solution for a
few seconds. Take out and wash, and if the negative is still too
dense immerse it again. Repeat the process till the film is
reduced sufficiently. Label the bottle "Poison," and keep it
carefully locked up when not in use. One should have a plate
lifter, or use rubber finger-tips when handling the plates with
this solution. Sir John also says that the gelatine gets black
first on the side next to the plate when developing. If the tray
is kept gently rocking during development the development should
be from the top downward. When the image is seen from the back of
the plate it is supposed that deve