SEMAPHORE.--Time spent, 61 hours: 6 sessions 1/2 hours, 1 session 1 hour, 1 conference 2 hours. It is easy to say "just learn the semaphore," but to learn it quickly and well is another matter. A few suggestions as to the methods followed by others will usually prove helpful. Learn the semaphore by what may be called the "cycle" method, _i.e._, teach and illustrate how the successive letters are formed by moving the arm or arms around the body in a clockwise direction through successive stages. There are a few exceptions to the rule as will be pointed out; but they only serve as a few landmarks and help to fix the whole matter more firmly in mind. FIRST CYCLE.--1 arm. A to G. One arm always at the interval. Be sure to make the "D" with right arm straight overhead--then it is more distinct at a distance. (Plate.) SECOND CYCLE.--2 arms. H to N, inclusive, with exception of J. One arm always in the A position. In making I always be sure that the left hand is at the A position. Some men insist in making this letter wrong by crossing the body with the left hand uppermost. This is very awkward and also very indistinct at a distance. P changes arms but retains same relative position of flags. THIRD CYCLE.--2 arms. T and U. Right arm in position of C. Letter U actually resembles that letter. THIRD CYCLE.--2 arms. O to S. One arm always in B position. In letter O, left arm is in B position; in all others, right arm. FOURTH CYCLE.--2 arms. T and U. Right arm in position of C. Letter U actually resembles that letter. DOUBLES.--L, U, R, N. These letters are keys to many others and should be promptly learned. OPPOSITES.--V and K, O and W, Q and Y, S and M, Z and H, X and I, M follows L in cycle and is opposite of S, S follows E in cycle and is opposite of M, K precedes L in cycle and is opposite of V. Figures are first 10 letters of alphabet, preceded by crossing flags overhead. INSTRUCTING.--This plan of teaching the semaphore will be found very helpful, for it helps to reason out the alphabet for the student. By fixing firmly in mind a few things the student can soon reason out the alphabet for himself by a very logical plan. SECOND STEP.--After the men have been taught the alphabet they should either pair off and one man send to the other, or one man should be selected to send for the entire class. At first only letters should be sent until the men have learned the alphabet thoroughly. In this way the key characters of the alphabet can be fixed in mind, as well as their relation to the other letters. THIRD STEP.--The men should next be paired off and instructed to send simple messages to each other. You should insist that there be no other communication between the men than by means of their flags.