Croquet can be made more difficult by using narrow arches or wickets.  Hard rubber balls are more satisfactory than wood and also much more expensive.

As a rule the colours played in order are red, white, blue and black.  According to the rules any kind of a mallet may be used, depending upon the individual preference of the player.

CURLING

An ancient Scotch game played on the ice, in which the contestants slide large flat stones, called curling stones, from one point to another.  These points or marks are called “tees.”  In playing, an opportunity for skill is shown in knocking an opponent out of the way, and also in using a broom ahead of the stone as it slides along to influence its rate of speed.

At the present time the greatest curling country is Canada.  Curling is one of the few outdoor games that are played without a ball of some kind.

DIXIE’S LAND

This game is also called “Tommy Tiddler’s Land.”  It is a game of tag in which a certain portion of the playground is marked off as the “land.”  The one who is “it” endeavours to catch the others as they invade his land.  When a player is tagged he also becomes “it,” and so on until the game ends because all the invaders are captured.  The game is especially interesting because of the variety of verses and rhymes used in various parts of the country to taunt the one who is “it” as they come on his land.

DUCK ON A ROCK

This game is also called “Boulder Up.”  It is not customary to “count out” to decide it.  For this game usually some one suggests, “Let’s play Duck on a Rock,” and then every one scurries around to find an appropriate stone, or “duck.”  As fast as they are found the fact is announced by the cry, “My one duck,” “My two duck,” etc.  The last boy to find a stone is “drake,” or “it.”

The drake is larger than the ducks and is placed on an elevated position such as a boulder.  Then from a specified distance ducks attempt to hit the drake and to knock him from his position.  If they miss they are in danger of being tagged by the drake, as it is his privilege to tag any player who is not in possession of his duck.  If, however, the drake is knocked from his perch, the ducks have the privilege of rushing in and recovering their stones, but unless they do so before the drake replaces his stone on the rock they may be tagged.  The first one tagged becomes “it” and the drake becomes a duck.

FAT