THE scratch-races last Saturday were a mere repetition of those we have witnessed during the past few years. Perhaps they were a little worse than usual. There was a series of fouls in the six-oared race, although there were two stake-boats. In the four-oared race the rowing was only tolerable. The fact is that the whole system of conducting scratch-races is bad, and we can never hope for anything better until it is changed. The crews, by some plan or other, ought to be chosen at least a week before the race. Even if the regular club crews entered, it would seem desirable, although it has been objected that then all interest would be centred in the scratch and not in the spring races. Having got the crews together, the race could be started on time. This is the object to be aimed at; for then the crews could row in heats, and thus with two stake-boats all chances of fouling one another would be removed.