PROGRESS OF THE CREWS.

The University crew squad of thirty men has now been working for over six weeks on the machines in the University boathouse, under the direction of Coach Colson. The course of development has been, in general, from individual practice in the new stroke, by small squads, to the combined work of the present arbitrary crews of eight; and from a very slow stroke of seven to the minute, allowing the men to master the details of the new method, to the present normal pace of twenty to the minute. The practice has been entirely on the machines, as the heavy work in the tank tends to hinder the development of the easy stroke desired.

The chief faults of the old stroke are to be found in the mode of recovery, which is to reach with hands and body before sliding forward. Partly as the cause and partly as the result of this method, was developed a hurried, laborious, jarring, recovery. The new stroke, it is hoped, will avoid these drawbacks by means of a recovery in which hands, body, and slide all shoot forward, approach full reach, and turn back as nearly in unison as possible, the body reaching forward a little farther than formerly and finishing only slightly back of the perpendicular. A generally simpler, easier, and more deliberate recovery is the expected result. The body, moving forward upon the knees, acts as a spring gradually to hold back the slide, thus preventing to a certain extent rushing and the consequent stopping of the shell. This, moreover, proves to be a more restful mode of recovery, as well as easier, and of smooth and delicate execution, so that the momentum is not shaken from the boat.

Although there was at one time, some thought of postponing the transfer to the water until May 1, regardless of the river, the men have made sufficient progress with the new stroke on the machines to warrant going on the water as soon as possible; and it is believed that "with continued interest and perseverance, at least a good practical understanding of the new stroke will be had by the close of this year's rowing season."

The river is rapidly clearing, and the crews have been hindered from going on the water only by an ice jam in front of the University boathouse. Men have been at work breaking this up during the past week, so that the floats will probably be put in place early next week. At the Weld, where the bridge offers shelter from the ice, the floats will be put down probably today. Until the river is entirely clear the rowing will be done in barges.

The University crew training table will begin at the Union a week from next Monday.

The first class crews, as soon as the river is clear, will be divided between the two boathouses as follows: Seniors and Sophomores, at the Weld: Juniors and Freshmen, at the Newell. As some of the Freshman squad have never rowed before, the coaches have decided to give them some practice in watermanship before going on the river. Accordingly they received their first coaching in the tank yesterday afternoon. For convenience, solely, the squad was divided into four divisions of eight men each, no attempt at grading having been made.