GRADED CREWS.

It is an extraordinary fact that from the nine crews that took part in the bumping races, enough men cannot be brought together to form at least four graded crews, two from each boathouse. Surely the inducement to take part in rowing now is greater than earlier in the fall. The only explanation, which seems to hold water, is that most of the men in the dormitory crews took up rowing as an experiment, have had their fill, and now give it up as uninteresting and unprofitable. That rowing is not intrinsically worth while cannot be the case, for many men, who are members of no organized crew, are out continually while the river is open.

If it is assumed that rowing is worth while for pleasure and exercise, the graded crews should receive more active support than the dormitory eights. These latter are at most poorly balanced, for no building can show eight men of the same high ability as some one or two. Development in such a boat is uncertain. The graded crews by their very nature are composed of men of much the same calibre, and it is in such an eight that a developing oarsman comes to light. The pleasure of rowing is also more real and tangible when each man can do his own share of the work. Incidentally there are boat club insignia to be awarded. With these reasons in favor of the graded crews, their popularity should be assured, and the inconsistency of their non-support deserves at least an explanation by those who cause it.