A MODERN KITE AND THE GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENTS. 43
posed, Keema believed they would have jungle, carrying baskets to bring back
time to return to the village and tell of the longed-for meat for the great feast
their good fortune and get back with it would provide. Yet with all their
men enough to carve and carry home haste the young moon had slipped away
the game before night. The young and the stars shone bravely down be-
hunter had that wonderful instinct of fore, with torches and singing, they
finding his way to a known point brought their loaded baskets home.
through the densest forest, and so after “You see,” said Robard to Keema on
measuring the brutes and cutting off the way, “there was no evil spirit in
the tails they made directly for the Ilunga, as you call him, or if there was
village. From forefoot to shoulder the it was very easily gotten rid of.”
larger measured ten feet eight inches, “That was the rogue elephant Ilunga
and Ilunga about a foot less; the tusks, without a doubt. I have seen the old
too, of the leader were superb and un- fellow many a time stealing in the
usually well matched. plantations, but I did him a wrong—
The news of their good luck flew like he could not have been a Moloki, the
wildfire among the natives and most of evil one, and if I had known that, I
the population of the village started should have tried to kill him long ago.”
immediately on hearing of it into the (To be concluded in our next.)
Modern Kite and the
government H. Chadwick Hunter
experiments
L
ITTLE or nothing is really known soldiers accepted the appearance of the
of the origin of kites except their light, which seemed like a new star, as
antiquity. an auspicious omen and renewed the
When Kao Tsu, a general com- struggle with increased energy. An-
manding the armies of Liu Pang some other story is told of a Korean general
time during the second century, chas- who bridged an otherwise impassable
tised Chin He, Han Sin, founder of the stream by the flying of a kite, which
Han Dynasty, planned to make a kite lodged in a tree. He pulled a strong
and send it up to measure the distance cord across by means of the kite string,
of the palace. This tradition would in- and continued the process until a bridge
dicate a very remote origin of the kite. was constructed.
Some attribute the origin or invention In Japan, U1 Shosetsu, who tried to
of the kite to practical purposes. The overthrow the Tokugawa government
best authorities, however, regard it as in the seventeenth century, made a
of ceremonial or religious significance. large kite on which he ascended to
The kite is seen in Asia to retain sug- overlook the castle of Yedo. The fa-
gestions of its original significance as mous robber Ishikawa Goemon, in the
the over-soul, a conception akin to that sixteenth century, attempted to steal the
of the use of the kite-bird as the em- gold from the fish on the castle of
blem of the soul in Ancient Egypt. Nagoya by mounting on a kite.
According to Mr. Stewart Culin, Di- Simple kite-flying in Korea is quite
rector of the Museum of Archaeology secondary to kite-fighting. Kite-flying
and Paleontology, University of Penn- is practiced chiefly with this in view,
sylvania, the Koreans attribute the in- the silk strings being prepared their
vention of the kite to a general in entire length by dipping them in glue
the war with Japan four hundred to which powdered glass or porcelain
years ago. His soldiers were dispirited has been added. The moment that two
by reverses, and at last altogether dis- kite-strings are crossed the owners
couraged by the appearance of falling must play out their lines, or they are
stars in the sky. He then made a kite, immediately cut through.
to which he attached a small lantern, Of all kites, there are few more in-
and sent it up on a dark night. The teresting and diversified than those of
44 OUTING FOR APRIL.
Malay. The Sultan of Johore sent to tion, and considerable interest is cent-
the Columbian Exposition at Chicago ered in the result of its work.
no less than fifteen varieties of Malayan Though the weather experts do not
kites. This collection is now in the hope to produce a full-fledged flying ma-
Museum of Archæology of the Univer- chine, no one can say what their pre-
sity of Pennsylvania. liminary work may result in.
no. 1.
Much investigation is now going on in Prof. C. F. Marvin, Professor of
the United States, having for its object Meteorology, who has been assigned
the scientific development of the kite. the directorship of this new work, will
Most of us have commonly regarded surely contribute largely to the task
the kite as an instrument of innocent devolving upon him of devising kites
no. 2.
sport and of no practical value, particu- of such forms as will be suitable for use
larly from a scientific point of view. in the intended exploration of the upper
The United States Weather Bureau air. The object of developing the kite
at Washington is experimenting in this scientifically is the attainment of knowl-
comparatively new field of investiga- edge of the temperature, the moisture,
A MODERN KITE AND THE GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENTS. 45
wind velocity and other general in- effectiveness of the other? (c) What
teresting meteorological conditions per- length, fore and aft, is the most effectual
tinent to weather work, in altitudes of a for the sustaining surfaces? (d) What
thousand feet or more. is the most appropriate form and ar-
A pamphlet just issued, entitled rangement of the bridle, not only to se-
“Kite Experiments at the Weather cure the most satisfactory action of the
Bureau,” by Prof. Marvin, reviews the kite under winds of variable force, but
course to be pursued and invites the in- to likewise distribute the strain upon
terest and co-operation of the public in the framework, so that lightness, but
the development of the kite. What is yet not corresponding weakness, of the
the hunter folding winged kite.
desired can best be stated in Prof. Mar- construction may obtain? (3d) In gen-
vin’s words: To ascertain “(1st) What eral, for any kite, what is the best
is the relative lifting power in a given angle of incidence? (4th) What is the
wind, square foot or square foot, of loss due to the pervious structure of the
single-plane kites as compared with the cloth, as compared with paper, or bal-
cellular kites? (2d) In cellular kites (a) loon fabric, etc.?” In his analysis, Prof.
How near can the lifting surfaces be to Marvin explains the principles involved
each other without detrimental inter- in the uses of the kite from a scientific
ference? (b) How short a distance standpoint.
may exist between the forward and Mr. W. A. Eddy, of Bayonne, N. J., is
after cell without the one impairing the well known to those interested in kites,
46 OUTING FOR APRIL.
and has, with a modified form of the its mainstay the employment of the
Malay kite, popularly known as the cellular kite.
“Eddy” kite, accomplished in New Mr. S. A. Potter has devised a marked
York city some wonderful results in modification of the Hargrave kite, and
the way of what we may characterize was one of the first Americans to fly the
as altitudinous photography. cellular kite, which is regarded by some
The flying of kites, aside from any investigators as unsuccessful. Mr. Pot-
scientific importance which may be at- ter is one of the weather sharps at the
tached, is really a very fascinating out- Weather Bureau, and under the direc-
of-door diversion. There is hardly one tion of Professor Marvin has constructed
of us who does not remember with and flown successfully many kites of
pleasure earlier periods of life, when cellular form. One of his particular de-
we were engaged in flying kites con- signs is known as the diamond cellular
structed of paper stretched upon two kite.
or three sticks according to form de- Interesting myself in the kite work of
sired. Whether we adopted these pro- the Weather Bureau, I produced what
pensities from the Chinese, who are, is known as the Hunter folding winged
or were, inveterate kite-flyers, will not kite, using the Potter one as a base,
be discussed here. It suffices to say with the idea of having a kite which,
that kite-flying at one time enjoyed when not in use, could be carefully laid
among us a greater popularity than at aside, and not require a barn to store it
present. This condition may be due to in; also, by the wing attachments, to
the awkward and unreliable kite with offer greater sail area, or sustaining
long, cumbersome tail attachment for- surface, with a considerably smaller
merly known to us. ratio of increased weight per square foot
All this is now entirely obviated. The area. In the Weather Bureau work this
current of progress has produced new kite attained the highest angular eleva-
forms of kites having no tails, and fly- tion of all tested at that stage of the
able under certain wind conditions of experiments.
about fifteen miles an hour. One of the noteworthy features of this
It is exceedingly interesting to fly kite is the facility with which it is folded
one of our modern tailless kites of cel- for storing, shipping, or conveniently
lular form, and those who have a desire carrying it to a desirable location for
for easy, out-of-door amusement, may flying. Ordinarily, most of us who are
indulge and gratify themselves to a employed in large cities do not possess
large extent in the making and flying a suburban residence, hence, any sport-
of a good kite, and through the concep- ive proclivities we may possess in the
tion and development of their ideas line of desiring to fly kites cannot be
may produce new and novel features indulged. We are thereby handicapped
leading eventually to the production of to some extent. The construction of
a flying machine. This thing will surely the diamond cell winged kite precludes
come, and too many experimenters can- all this inconvenience, and we are en-
not be occupied at once at what prom- abled to roll up a kite of an area of
ises, in its accomplishment, honor and twenty-five or thirty square feet, strap
fortune (the latter, if not for the invent- it to a bicycle or carry it in the hand,
or, for some one else, as is usually the and in a few minutes are beyond the
case). city limits. With a good breeze our kite
According to Professor Marvin, kite- is on high. We are beyond the restric-
flying is an engineering problem. The tions of certain police regulations per-
success of the flying machine is surely taining to kites and their uses, and also
so. What, then, is more natural than away from the telegraph wires.
that man should fly through the devel- These conveniences cannot be had
opment and evolution of the kite. The even in the use of some other of our
successful feats of flight by Lilienthal modern kites, not to mention the old-
were accomplished with a machine of style tail kites.
great magnitude not unlike in principle As the winged kite weighs, according
a multi-plane kite. to construction, but from one to two
Mr. Lawrence Hargrave, of Sydney, pounds, it can be seen that lightness is
N. S. W., Australia, has invented a flying also one of its features. Its height is
machine of great promise, which has for four feet and it is seven and a half feet
A MODERN KITE AND THE GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENTS 47
wide; when folded it makes a roll four the eye in elevation, as is also the case
feet long by about three or four inches with the struts “e,” “f,” and “g”;
in diameter. There are other kites that the idea being to offer the narrowest
will fold but not so conveniently, I be- edges of the sticks to the wind.
lieve. The struts “e,” “f,” and “g” are pro-
While in flight this kite presents to vided with bifurcated or forked ends,
the eye, lineaments that are very pleas- and the pieces “k” are not taken into
ing, and is of attractive and imposing account in the measurements given.
form-so much so that interest will be The detail, Figure 2, illustrates the
excited and an impetus be given to an ends of the struts “e,” “f,” and “g.”
outdoor amusement. A little inquiry The little circles indicate the position
will develop many forms which may of the brads. The jaws “k” must be
possibly aid in the advancement and securely attached. They project beyond
development of aerial flight. the ends of the struts about three-fourths
On December 22, 1896, a bill to pro- of an inch, and taper toward their lips
mote aerial navigation was introduced as shown.
in Congress, which proposes to appro- Assuming the wings to be twenty-
priate seventy thousand dollars to be five inches wide, the device or hook
distributed to three investigators for “l,” fully shown in Figure 3, is placed
conducting experiments. twenty-five inches plus the greatest di-
The following is a complete descrip- ameter of the uprights “c” and “d”—
tion of the winged kite. The accom- three-quarters of an inch—from the
panying drawings, prepared by the extreme ends “i” of wing supports.
writer, are in true linear perspective in The device “l” engages with the uprights
order to clearly show all parts of frame, “c” and “d” in the manner and for the
and are intended to thoroughly instruct same purpose as the jaw “k” in the
in the construction of the kite. Some strut “g.”
other writers have endeavored in their Preferably the short strut “f” is first
articles to explain the construction of placed into position in the lower cell,
their kites, but their descriptions are followed by the long strut in the same
generally inadequate. If this descrip- cell. The strut “e” is next inserted
tion is accurately followed no mistake in the upper or top cell. The wing sup
is possible. ports are now thrust through from the
The two uprights “a” and “b” may inside into the apertures in the cloth
be one-fourth by three-fourths of an band, causing the device “l” to engage
inch in their diameters, tapering toward with the uprights as shown. The wing
their ends as shown; the uprights “c” supports, to which the blocks “m” are
and “d” of same diameters, and taper- affixed in order that the ends “j” of
ing from the middle of the portions supports abut against the block, are now
within the cells as shown. This form pressed down, first, however, causing
considerably lightens these sticks, par- one stick to abut against block “m”
ticularly “c” and “d,” which in the affixed to opposite stick. The free stick
parts without the cells are about one- is then pressed into position, bearing
fourth of an inch in each diameter and against its opposing block. On the stick
serve mainly to connect the two cells. opposite the block “m,” is provided the
All uprights are four feet long. wire device “n,” shown in Figure 4,
The short struts “e” and “f” are which is thrown into position around
fifteen inches long, and are one-fourth the end of stick “j,” which is notched to
by one-half of an inch in their diameters. receive it. This firmly locks the wing
The long strut “g” in the lower cell may supports together, thus forming the
be one-fourth by five-eighths of an inch strut “h” in top cell. If one is not
in its diameters. The long strut “h” in clever enough to make this device “n,”
the top cell is formed by the combina- a strong piece of twine permanently
tion of the wing supports. These pieces affixed will serve, but it is absolutely
tapes toward their extreme ends and are necessary that the wing supports be
three-eighths of an inch in diameter at tightly held together. At the points
“i.” The diameters of the ends “j” or where the struts intersect, they may be
the ends within the cells may be one-half tied firmly together, or small blocks
by five-eighths of an inch. The broad- forming jaws be secured to struts “e”
est sides of these sticks are offered to and “f” to receive long struts.
48 OUTING FOR APRIL.
The proper lengths of long struts can- sockets of metal, about one-quarter of
not be definitely stated on account of an inch in diameter, having a screw to
the unknown tension of the cloth bands, pass through eyelets in wing tins, thence
but they are approximately thirty-seven into sockets. Some other method may
inches. They may be more or less, but be more conveniently employed, but this
certainly of sufficient length to properly is very handy.
distend cells. The devices “l” are there- The wings are sewed to the uprights
fore located thirty-seven inches apart, “c” and “d” throughout their lengths,
more or less, when wing supports are and remain so when kite is folded or
locked together, or of the same distance rolled. It requires but a minute or two
apart as the length of long strut in lower to erect or knock-down kite.
cell, Make the wing supports about sixty The cloth cells are formed of an end-
inches long, affix the hooks “l” as al- less band eighty inches long and fifteen
ready stated, place the two sticks to- inches wide when their edges have been
gether, or side by side as they will be hemmed, and are drawn tightly over
finally, so that the hooks “l” will be frame and tacked with about sixteen
thirty-seven inches apart, and then affix tacks to a cell. The materials of which
blocks “m,” abutting against ends of the bands for cells are formed may be
sticks. The wing supports pierce the of, and in this order of preference: silk,
cloth band seven and one-half inches nainsook, cambric, or muslin.
from either edge, or exactly in its center The frame may be made of white
of width. The extreme ends “i” of pine, or clear spruce. The given dimen-
wing supports may be provided with sions for frame insure safe construction,
and the frame is calculated to stand a
heavy strain, but it may be made a little
lighter throughout if desired.
The bridle “p” is about thirty-six
inches long and is attached as shown.
The flying string which is of cable-laid
hemp thread, obtainable at or through a
hardware store, is about one-twentieth
of an inch in diameter, and is attached
to bridle at a point at right angles to
the perpendicular of the kite, or about
sixteen inches from the point of the
bridle attachment at top cell. Consider-
able latitude is admitted in the matter
of the bridle; it may be longer or shorter
than stated and the flying line may be
shifted up or down an inch or two in
order to attain a proper line of flight.
In scientific kite-flying such a bridle is
desired as will admit of the kite auto-
matically adjusting itself into the wind
so as to cause a continuous ascension
and maintain as perpendicular a flying
string as possible, in other words, to
have the kite fly nearly or directly over-
head. Here is a problem not yet solved
and it affords a chance for some one.
A suitable reel is shown in Figure 5,
but the usual form of winding string on
a stick is about as convenient. About
two thousand feet of string will yield
plenty of amusement.
The tie wires “o” diagonally connect-
ing the uprights “a” and “b” must be
carefully inserted. They are intended
my flying grounds by the washington to draw together tightly the uprights
monument. into the jaws of the short struts.
GOOSE-SHOOTING ON CASCUMPEC BAY. 49
The uprights may be placed within In closing, a word on how to fly a
the jaws or ends of the short struts, and large cell kite might be of interest.
the whole secured firmly on the top of Having attached the flying string,
your bench, table, or floor by the use of everything else being ready, the kite is
cleats arranged in a true rectangle to ac- removed, preferably by a second person,
commodate the frame. While the frame to a distance of about one or two hun-
is held in this position the wires may dred feet; if the wind be very light
be inserted and fastened under con- it may be necessary to carry it away
siderable tension, to be equal in both five hundred feet or more. All things
wires. in readiness, the kite is tossed into the
The above-described kite contains an air and the person flying takes a few
area of about twenty-five square feet. rapid steps backward—don’t run—and
This area may be proportionally in- the kite ascends. In a strong wind the
creased for kites of desired larger di- kite may be started immediately at the
mensions. Two or more kites may be hand, though care must be exercised
flown tandem with considerable facility that you pay out line rapidly and evenly
and pleasure, and this is easily done. to prevent “dodging,” as may happen in
The first kite to be added is flown on the best-regulated kite; and even when
an independent string of about two or the kite is very high, should a strong
three hundred feet in length. The end gust of wind overtake it. Experience
of the string is then tied to the main line. will teach you how to govern the kite
Each successive kite is attached in a when it is aloft, but if it should “dodge,”
similar manner, and with the whole which is not likely, you must immedi-
aloft an interesting condition is pre- ately give slack string, recovering slowly
sented. so as not to allow string to snap; kite
The first view shows the position of will right up at once and ascend gradu-
the kite in flight, which is about hori- ally. The kite does not “work” into
zontal. This view is not obtained by the wind as tail kites generally do, but
the person flying the kite, but by a casual soars in a direct line toward the zenith.
observer stationed to one side. View In landing the same care is neces-
No. 2 shows the kite complete and ready sary as in launching, and when very
for flight, elevated to a position a few near the ground you must govern kite
feet above the ground. so as to land it gently.
Goose-Shooting on
Cascumpec Bay
R.R. Fitzgerald
“W HERE away
to-morrow,
Robert?” I
“I think you are right,” answered the
man addressed. “I would advise you
and Sam to take the two tubs and sink
asked the as close to the edge of Goose Harbor
genial proprietor a s y o u c a n . With twenty wooden
of the shooting- decoys and seven live birds you can
lodge at the “Black make a good set-out; that’s about as
Banks,” on the much as you can haul.”
evening of the 12th He referred to a piece of open water
April last, as we about two miles distant in a straight
sat round the fire, line across the ice toward Cascumpec.
chatting and smok- “I’m with you,” said Sam, a young
ing; ever and man of nineteen, who had all the sport-
anon pausing to ing instincts of his father, the last
listen to the storm speaker.
outside as it shook our habitation to its Our shooting-lodge was on the north
centre. Continuing, I added, “I am for side of Prince Edward Island, nestled in
the big opening if the storm abates. a small clearance on the shore-front
The geese will be driven in to-night, and of a forest some six or eight miles
will make for the first water they can square. We were not within sound of
find; that’s my opinion.” human habitation. An occasional wild-