*Balloon Company.* Though aeronautical in character, the kite balloon service is actually a branch of the artillery, to which it is directly attached. A balloon company accordingly consists of twelve to twenty artillery officers of varying ranks and about 120 to 130 men. Of the officers, six to eight are artillery lieutenants or captains and go aloft as observers, this number being necessary because the strain of watching constantly is very great and the observers must be relieved at frequent intervals, the balloon otherwise being kept up continuously, both day and night. There are also a number of sergeants, each of whom is in charge of a different branch of the work, such as the inflation, transport, telephone service, and winding machine. No less than fifteen 3-ton to 5-ton motor trucks are necessary for each balloon company besides two or more motorcycle messengers, the care of the machines usually being entrusted to the corporals of the company. The remainder of the company are practically laborers, whose chief duties are to attach the ballast bags to the ropes when it is intended to hold the balloon on the ground for any length of time and to utilize their own weight for the same purpose when the balloon is about to go aloft or is only on the ground temporarily. In addition, every company has its surgeon and assistants, quartermaster, cooks, company clerk, and other attaches necessary to complete its organization, since a balloon company serves as an independent unit. *Equipment.* The paraphernalia required is quite as elaborate as that necessary to keep several aeroplanes aloft, though naturally of a different nature. It must all be readily portable, for a balloon company has to change camp more or less frequently, or as often as the enemy artillery happens to discover its range. To secure mobility is the purpose of the great number of motor trucks employed. One of these is equipped with a hoisting winch and a large drum capable of holding 3,000 or 4,000 feet of about 3/8-inch steel cable. The winch is driven by the same engine that propels the truck, and in case of emergency the engine may be applied to the two purposes alternately within a short space of time. For instance, in case of attack either by shrapnel from an enemy battery or by a hostile aviator, it may be used to quickly haul in or let out cable to change the altitude of the balloon, or it may be employed to drive the truck to another and more favorable location with the balloon in tow.