There should be encouragement of skating on the part of every community by the maintenance of skating ponds and rinks. No better exercise can be provided for by any city or town. It is almost a universal pastime in all northern climes and would be even more popular than it is if facilities for its enjoyment were increased.

Deep lakes and ponds require from three to five inches of ice to be safe for any considerable crowds. It is better to flood tennis courts or parade grounds than to wait for continued cold weather to furnish sufficient ice for the sport. Even a small area, no larger than a couple of tennis courts, will provide sufficient space for a dozen people skating the largest of the school figures or for several pairs of skaters.

In localities where it is not often below 15° F., flooding the surface is not wise. It is better to spray from the hose after nightfall or just as the severe cold spell arrives. Bad spots and cracks should be cut into and a putty made of snow and hot water should be laid in them. Snow ice, or shell ice, should be broken with the foot or shovel and putty of snow and water pounded into the holes. When snow falls sweep it off at once and make it into an embankment at the sides of the rink. Strong sun melts thin ice much quicker than thick ice. By keeping track of the weather reports splendid skating can often be obtained by very little attention to the skating pond. A large watering pot is sometimes a sufficient implement with which to renew the surface of a badly cut skating area.

Ponds and small lakes should be swept occasionally by the skaters themselves if paid help is not available. Drift of dust and dirt spoils skating and sticks or chips from hockey sticks or old wood often cause the worst of falls. Sweep the snow toward the lower end of the pond so that if rain comes there will be a bank to hold the water and form a new surface of ice. Set off a small portion of the lake for figure skating if hockey is being played.

Encourage games and races and figure skating competition. Get up moonlight skating parties on the ice. String lanterns about and have a costume skating carnival. If the circumstances permit make a gigantic bonfire and provide hot coffee and other refreshments. In some parts of northern Europe large parties of young people skate great distances on the rivers, stopping at various towns for lunch and dinner and returning by train.