The first point to consider in regard to a range is its safety, and too much pains cannot be taken in the selection of the ground in order to protect the public from danger, as well as to prevent unnecessary expense in the erecting of butts, etc. While it is impossible to lay down precise rules for every feature of a country, the following suggestions will be found sufficient under ordinary circumstances. No ground is to be selected which does not afford a range of at least 3oo yards, and it is most important that the ground behind the targets should be thoroughly com manded from certain points sufficiently' clear of the line of fire to insure safety to the look-out men who are to be placed there in order that the fire may be easily stopped when necessary; hence a range down hill is generally to be preferred, as being more easily commanded to one uphill. The targets upon a rang,e should, where the ground permits, be established by pairs, with an interval not less than to yards between each target, and with a margin of at least 4o yards at the sides: the minimum breadth of ground for a pair of targets should be 90 yards, and all the targets should be on the same line. When, however, the number to be exer cised in rifle practice is large, and the breadth of ground limited, a number of targets may be established, with an interval of to yards between each, to be used as if for a pair, a margin being- left at the sides of the outer targets of at least 4o yards. In these cases the number of each target should be conspicuously placed ^ upon the butt in rear of it so as to be plainly seen from the firing point, and the firing should be stopped at all the targ,ets whenever the danger signal is shown at any targ,et within 40 yards. The breadth of g,round in rear of the targ-et at
i nature of the background. If the range be on a plain, the regulation size of the i butts is from 35 to 4o feet high, provided the distance behind the target is les; than 1,50o yards. Under ordinary circumstances, however, the height of the butt I need not be more than 20 feet, and when firing, toward water a butt of 12 feet in height will be sufficient. On some ground there are found natural butts for the targets to rest against. To be of use in stopping, stray bullets and thereby insure he safety of the public, the hill should incline 45 degrees, at least; if a smaller P't 0.ngle than this, it would, instead of acting as a stop, incur the chance of a rico
chet, and therefore be unsafe. A few furrows from a plough will requently lessen the chances of ricochets. The length of the butt for a pair of targets should not be less than 45 feet, measured along the top. They are far inferior to natural obstacles, and are expensive to erect and keep in repair. The number of each tar get should be placed on the butt directly over it in large figures, so as to be con spicuous from the firing points. Where there are a number of targets these num bers should be painted red and black alternately. At long ranges Roman figures, made by laying rails on the butt, arc more easily discerned than numerals. In crowded localities, where the range is short, and the danger of injury to the pub lic great, a series of shields or screens may be thrown across the practice ,ground at different distances containing apertures of such a height and width as to per mit the passage of all properly directed bullets, and to arrest random shots. These are sometimes high arches of cast-iron, and sometimes upright barriers of stout plank. Two or three sheds with plank roofs, made to slope toward the target, form a cheap and convenient screen, provided the ground between them is fur rowed so as to prevent the ricocheting of the bullets which strike the sheds and glance downwards. In the longer ranges, these shields are objectionable. not only because the high trajectory of the bullet makes it difficult to place them properly, but because they confine the firing to a single distance, and render the appearance of the targ,ret as visible through the apertures so different from what it presents in the "open" as to deprive those using them of many of the advantages that should be derived from targ,et practice, and particularly from acquiring a practical knowl edge of distance. If care be taken that none be allowed to practice with ball who have not been through a course of "position and aiming drill,- the danger of ran dom firing will be reduced to a minimum, and the prescribed butt be found amply sufficient for all practical purposes. Every range is to be carefully and accurateb", measured, and the distances defined by a line of small pe.::,Ys, at intervals of 50 yards, commencing at too yards from the target, and continuing to 9oo yards, or to the extent of the ground, if under that distance. These pegs also serve as g,uides to prevent firing, on a wrong target—a fruitful source of accidents. To avoid the sun. the targets must he placed at the northern end of the range; or if that is not practicable, at the eastern. In using the ranges the firing parties coni inence their practice close tn the targets and p.sradually retire. Consequently, as there is not likely to be as much practice at the extremely long,: ranges as at the shorter ones. a piece of ground, of a triangular shape may be selected for an ex tensive range, the targets being- placed at the hroadest part, and the firing points beinl.z reduced as the distance is increased. Several flag-staffs should be placed in such positions upon the range as to make the danger signal conspicuous.