Arizona Republican

YACHTING ON DRY LAND.
A Sport that is Popular in the South and West.
To the seeker after rest and recreation land yachting offers the charm of novelty combined with many and varied pleasures of camp life. It offers an outdoor existence without the restrictions of a fixed abode. It affords a knowledge at least a view of the country in any desired direction. It enables one to study nature, not in a limited field, but wherever fancy may suggest and time permit. It offers the artist a continual variety of scene, the finny sport, the hunter a change of game, and the ordinary family a prolonged picnic, subsequent good health, happiness and sun browned skins which will be the envy of beholders. In Georgia, Florida and other southern states yachting is more popular than in any other part of the country. After trimming the orange trees in April the growers have nothing to do until September. Vegetable gardeners are at liberty by July and join the orange growers in their outing. Each family has its yacht-a sturdy wagon drawn by mules. In it they embark, leaving house, orchard and garden to shift alone during the lazy months, and the round of visiting begins. Families who have friends or relatives in distant parts of the state or in states adjoining journey slowly thither to spend a few days in pleasant reunion. Others wander without any destination in view, scraping acquaintances with other yachters and managing in a hundred ways to have an enjoyable time. Land yachting has not yet been attempted on an extensive scale in the north. There is no reason, however, why it should not in time become as popular as canoeing or Adirondack camping. The best land yacht is built, so far as shape is concerned, to somewhat resemble the old fashioned prairie schooner. The length is from sixteen to twenty-two feet. The width is six feet or more at the top of the wagon bed, which is twenty-four to thirty inches deep. Berths are arranged in two ways. Springy boards, three and a half feet wide, are sometimes laid across the top of the wagon. On these the bedding is placed, the one at the rear being made up first, and so on forward. Curtains strung across the top separate the beds. Air is admitted through the flaps in the canvas, one at the head and one at the foot of each berth. In another arrangement the boards run lengthwise along the sides of the wagon, supported by iron brackets. Boards, brackets and all are removed in the daytime and stowed snugly away. In some yachts the problem is solved by swinging hammocks across the wagon, the side poles being made especially strong for that purpose. If the party is a large one a small tent and camp beds are generally included in the outfit. Along both sides of the wagon bed are arranged lockers in which to keep dishes, bedding, table linen, clothing and other necessary articles. An ice box under the driver's seat extends the width of the wagon. In it are kept meats, milk, butter and the like. A good supply of towels is necessary to every outfit. Bathing suits, too, are important. A mirror hanging in the rear of the wagon is in a position to catch the light, and a swinging bookcase in the corner affords a place for summer literature. A camp stove is almost a necessity. Camp chairs and a folding table occupy little room and add much to the comfort of the outing. It is quite possible in a twenty foot wagon to stow away all the belongings of six or eight persons and still have room to spare. Mules are considered the best team because of their great strength and sureness of foot. A single team is enough, unless the country traversed is exceedingly mountainous. Even in that case an additional team is easily hired when needed, from a convenient farmer. Amusements include all those recognized as belonging to the open air-fishing, hunting and kindred enjoyments for persons of active tastes, while for lazy members of the party hammocking, reading and occasional strolls help to pass the time. The yacht's course may be so shaped as to pass near the homes of friends, and the interchange of visits will add to the outing's pleasure. In the starlit evenings music and dancing on the green are very enjoyable. Land yachting is inexpensive when compared with other forms of summer living. A wagon, new and of excellent make, can be bought and fitted up for $200. A like sum will buy a team of mules, and not infrequently a good team will be found for $50 less. $40 more for double harness makes the full rigged yacht cost $440, two-thirds of which can be realized by the sale of the outfit in the fall.-New York Herald.