Tolling the Stake.—Hitting the turning stake at the proper time; one of the steps on the grand round.
Tour of Play.—The tour of a player or right to play, following the order of the colors on the stake, and continuing as long as he makes a point.
Turning Stake.—The stake to be tolled, opposite to the starting stake.
CHAPTER II
THE GROUND AND CROQUETERIE
The most important requisite for a croquet ground is smoothness of surface. Very good sport may be had on a ground slightly inclined; indeed a little practice will enable the players to make allowance for the inclination, so as to play with as much accuracy as if the surface were horizontal. But if the turf presents small inequalities, the direction and force of the stroke can never be accurately estimated. If the stroke is gentle, the ball may fall short or be turned aside. If the stroke is forcible, the ball will bound along the ground, and may jump entirely over another ball which it was intended to roquet. A croquet ground can always be brought to the requisite degree of smoothness by having the surface beaten with a spade after a rain; or, better still, thoroughly rammed with a paver's mallet. Rolling is not so effective, unless the ground is very soft or the roller very heavy. The size and shape of the ground is a matter of much less importance. The boundaries within which a ball can be placed should be traced or agreed upon; still better permanently defined by a ditch or slight embankment; and should, if possible, form a parallelogram of eighty feet by fifty. The turf within them should be kept as short as possible. The best arrangement of bridges for the four-ball game is that given in Figure I. For the six or eight-ball game Figure II. is preferable. A ball meets with two kinds of obstructions in making the "grand round"—it is obliged to pass through all the bridges, and again it may be croquetted and driven out of its course by an enemy. In the six or eight ball game, the dangers being much increased, it is well to diminish the difficulties, or the contest may be tediously protracted. This is accomplished by removing the central bridge and straightening the course. The channel is less tortuous, but "roving" privateers, clothed with "belligerent rights," are more frequently met, and the risks and excitement of the passage are equalized in both cases.
No. I. Four Ball Arrangement.