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 ^i WOMAN'S RECREATIONS J.^f^ .' This section of Every Woman's Encyclopedia gives instruction and practical information on every kind of recreation The, Chief AhV-orilies on all such subjects have been consulted, and will contribute exhaustive articles every fortnight, so that when the Encyclopaedia is completed, the section will form a standard reference library on woman's recreation. PASTIMES: Cafd Games Palmistry Fortune Telling by Cards HOLIDAYS: Caravanning Camping Travelling Cycling, etc., etc. SPORTS : HOBBIES: Golf Photography Lawn 'Tennis Chip Carving Hunting Bent Iron Work Winter Sports Paintitig on Satin Basket Ball Painting on Pottery Archery Poker Work Motoring Fretwork Rowifig, etc. Cane Basket Work, etc HOCKEY FOR GIRLS By PERCY LONGHURST l^.-P. Xat'tonal Amateur Wrestling Association, Author of " Wrestling," "/iit /itstt.^^ Official Referee, Olympic Games, rqoS. Hockey as a Game [or Girls — Its Increasing Popularity — The Necessary Outfit and Clothes — Some of the Rules — The Hockey Association game has exercised a, very beneficial influence upon the health of the womanhood of the country. pOR those enjoying good health and pos- sessed of fairly robust physique there are many delightful out-of-door pastimes, but of them all hockey is far the most popular — and deservedly so. Ft provides the most healthy and enjoyable exercise, and combines these with all the benefits to be derived from team play. It is a valu- able exercise for girls and an exhilarating recreation, but, because it is a strenuous game, the above reservation is desirable. In the women's colleges in America hockey is very largely played, but no student is permitted 'to en^'r a team until she has been medically certified as fit. In 1898 there vveie fifty-seven ladies' hockey clubs affiliated to 'the governing body ; six years later there were 300, an incontestable proof of the extraordinary grip on public favour the game has obtained. These latter figures do not include the countless girls' school hockey clubs. Viewed solely as an exercise, hockey is of the greatest value ; it tends to invigorate the circulation, develop increased lung power, strengthen the heart, and, by strengthening the muscles of the back, to aid in the acquiring of that graceful carriage of the body which is never associated w^th physical weakness. Bevond all doubt is it that the THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT There are now so many ladies' hockey clubs that introduction for membership is a matter of no great difficulty, but before discussing the game, and how it is played, it is well to consider the requisites for playing. A suitable stick is of great importance. Be- tween the stick in use when the game was introduced and that of to-day there is a world of difference. One matter must be guarded against — the purchasing of a stick of inconvenient length and weight. Except these be suitable one's play wdll inevitably suffer. Each stick must be no thicker than will enable it to pass through a two-inch ring, and its weight must not exceed twenty-eight ounces. Except a player be of more than average physical strength, a lighter stick than the permitted maximum is advisable. Jn the matter of price one can pay anything up to 15s. or 2TS., but half-a-guinea will buy a stick of quite as good quality as any playci needs to have. Sticks — the blades at least — will wear out, and though a leather boot or shoe may be used, no one will be content