Last year it was the 24th of February that the 'varsity crew began work upon the river, and after that, lost only two or three days work on account of bad weather or floating ice. There is always a great desire to get into a boat as early as possible of course, because practice on the water is always too limited before the New London race. However, there seems to be a good deal that can be learned and taught to better advantage in the tank than upon the river. The coach has many advantages as has also the learner. This year, the tank is thought to be more useful than ever before. Of course the real value of this work as compared with that of other years can only be estimated correctly when the crew has been put into a boat and worked for a while upon the water. The work has been pursued upon different theories and by different methods than heretofore. The plans of work here have been carefully thought over, and those in charge have high hopes of success. If these changes are successful, probably more changes along the same lines will be made next year. Before this year the tank seemed to be of very little or no use to the crews. Perhaps this may have been in part due to not understanding what could be learned by the men, and therefore not attempting to teach the things only which could be learned in a tank in such a condition. At least it did not approach the expectations of its usefulness.

This year changes have been made in the tank, reducing the volume of water to be moved; changing the shape of oars, improving the facilities for coaching, and making little changes for the convenience and comfort of the men. The exertion required of the men to row even at a very slow stroke has always been a great obstacle to a successful use of the tank. The volume of water is now much reduced and is considered a great improvement. The size and shape of the oar blade has been experimented upon till the management has seen fit to get a set of new oars which they think are the best that they have had for this use. This last improvement together with the smaller volume of water make the work a great deal lighter and seemingly more profitable than before. There has always been great great difficulty in hearing the coach when the men are rowing. The voice echoes as do the other sounds. This caused much delay in the work. Now a platform for the coach has been so placed as to enable him to be nearly over the man he is talking to. Thus the coach can teach his man without stopping the rowing. Some lesser devices enable the coach and men to save time at their work.

The crew men have the room next to the tank on the south side of the building exclusively to themselves. This is a great convenience to the men by which they enjoy greater comforts and are enabled to do better work. Their clothes are always dried and every man knows always where he is to find his own clothing. This has never been the case before.

The crews are rowing now as they have been for some time except Kelton and Rantoul have changed places to 7 and 5 respectively.

It is quite unfortunate that Acton M. S., is sick. He rowed only one day after he had recovered from the injury to his knee. Monday evening he was taken suddenly ill with grip. At present Ninde and Slade are doing a little work on the river in a pair-oar with Perkins to coach. Several changes will be made in the rowing order of the men this week.