I cannot leave the kites proper without mentioning the dragon kites. They are a series of plain surface kites. The Chinaman devised a set of harness to make a lot of single kites pull together. They are not compounded, and not in tandem, but belong in a class by themselves. The connecting string, traces, or whatever they may be called, at the top and side and sometimes at the bottom should all be the same length between kites, so that when the head is tipped to the proper angle, all the sections of the body will be inclined the same amount. The Chinese dragon kite has discs for the body kites, but a very successful plan was adopted last year by using tailless kites throughout. The head can be some larger with the lower part of the covering (best of cloth) left loose and longer than the kite, like an apron, which blows back in the breeze like a beard. For this reason it is cut in irregular shapes. Very light splinters of bamboo with tassels of tissue paper on the ends, extending a few inches to the outside of the kites, can be used as balancers. These should be very carefully spaced. A dragon kite with a 3 ft. head and 2 ft. body kites, will prove very satisfactory. All the way from 6 to 15 body kites may be used with about 2 1/2 ft. spacing between kites. The tail piece may consist of a rod about the width of the body kite, with streamers floating out behind. It will require a sturdy boy or two to operate such a monster. See the "American Boy's Handy Book" for the Chinese dragon kite.

The centipede kite is about the same in construction.

The drawings of reels should require no special direction. A broomstick makes a very good rod, but it is not large enough in diameter for the drum, so this must be built up.

The signaling and experiments in photography have been well set forth in articles given in the bibliography. Two photographs here presented, Figs. N and O, show what was accomplished' by a lad twelve years old with a kodak on a kite string.

Fig. N.

Fig. 0.

The "Yacht Race in the Clouds," by Nugent in St. Nicholas for October, 1900, should inspire any boy to work hard to win success, but it is no easy matter to make a successful yacht. We used a little different mechanism last year for our yachts, but there is still room for improvement. This year we used a beam for the yacht and a wire nail bent into the shape of a hook for the release of the sail. Some of the boys have attached light elastic, so that when the sail is released it will •be pulled down quickly, thus expediting the return.

The tournament of 1907 was recorded in the Manual Training Magazine of December, 1907. The tournament of 1908 was a much greater success. Fully five thousand people were present, and the exhibition was worth going to see. All the participants were not registered, but 39 schools were represented, and 216 registrations were made. The air seemed full of kites - big and little, strong and curious. It was a sight to be remembered.

Much might be said about the streamers, messengers, wireless operation, etc., but we will close with just a word on the purpose and plan of the work.

The kite undertaking is encouraged through the schools, but is a home occupation. The construction is not carried on in the manual training shop, but is used as a supplement to shopwork.

The boy uses his knowledge developed in a manual training course in working out his own problems by himself. Mimeograph sheets were posted in each school with drawings similar to those presented here, for use as suggestions. The boys got their ideas, and worked them out during what would otherwise be idle hours. Many mothers have expressed their approval of the undertaking, and many teachers have been able to reach boys through this sport, that they were not able to understand before. The kite problem is seasonal. The tournament is brought about for the purpose of recognizing the efforts and success of the home occupation. There are many similar projects having as great variety as this one, that might be used in a similar way.