regard to the enemies’ activities during the period of occupancy. In addition, the relieving officer has the trench diary showing all the information covering every minute detail of the happenings during that company’s stay in the trenches. This diary is a continuous record of that particular sector and remains with the occupying company until it is relieved and then passes into the possession of the relieving half company, and so on, forming a continuous running record of the policy applying to the upkeep and methods employed therein. This diary, unless it is buried to avoid falling into the hands of the enemy, will continue until the end of the war. So every half company inherits one from his predecessor in the line upon its assuming the obligations previously assumed by its fore-runner, thus preventing a duplication of work and assuring continuity of endeavor. There are certain obvious requirements that have to become rules. When required to fill sandbags, always look for the nearest excavation being made and fill from there, if distance permits. As a matter of fact, in every trench there is a continuous revetting, widening of communications or control trenches, or driving of a tunnel to a listening post. [Illustration: _A--Parapet Traverse_ _B--Parados Traverse_ _TRAVERSED & RECESSED TRENCH._] Inasmuch as the time for filling sandbags is never ending, if work is being done and the earth is not absolutely needed for parapet or parados, the earth, if dry, should be put in sandbags, and, if necessary, stored until it is needed. The repair work that is most necessary takes precedent and is about as follows: Any damage to parados or traverses should be immediately attended to. During the night any damage to the wire entanglements must be repaired. Drainage comes next in order of importance, and this involves the digging of sumps and deepening of the drainage bottom. These are the repairs, but improvements must continually be made in the dugouts and communication trenches. The ultimate design of a fire-trench depends upon its closeness to the enemy. When the latter are within 150 yards, the traversed fire-trench shown in sketch should be employed, as it provides adequate accommodation and protection for men who may at any moment be called upon to make use of bomb, bayonet and bullet; but if the enemy trenches are more than 150 yards distant, the ultimate design would depend upon the number of machine guns and automatic rifles available. Each of these guns has a firing capacity of about 25 rifles. Each gun therefore gives a reduction in the number of men required to hold the line, and in consequence reduces the amount of trench needed to protect these men.