ATHLETIC TRACKS.

As the same track in New York is not always selected for the meets of the Inter-collegiate Athletic Association, a description of the different tracks used, and their advantages, is given in the last number of the Amateur A-athlete. The track where the games were held, previous to the spring of '82, was the oldest in New York, that of the N. Y. A. C., at Mott Haven. From the number of years the games were held there, and the uniqueness of the name, the annual meets are still called by many the Mott Haven games.

"Unfortunately for itself, it is too far out of town to be well patronized at present. It is one-fifth of a mile in circuit, and when especially prepared is one of the finest tracks, in the world for a walk or a run of 300 yards or more. It is almost unequalled for a quarter, as the start is at the head of the straight and, after a circuit, finish at the end of the home-stretch. The great trouble with it is the sand, which comes from underneath and moxes with the cinders, making the track brittle. Some of the best performances have been done on this course. With one exception, all of the championship games were held there, and most of t enter-collegiate."

In 1882 and 1883, the games were held on the Polo Grounds, as being more convenient and likely to draw larger audiences. They are situated on 110th street and Fifth avenue. "The path is one-third of a mile in circuit, and in its best days was a fine track. As it is surrendered a almost exclusively to base-ball, the track is almost entirely neglected. At the time Myers ran his wonderful 600 and 1,000 year races on it, the course was well kept. Since then, it has 'gone to the dogs; ' for running, poor, and for walking, abominable. The American A. C. must not expect fast time at their games this spring. In proper condition, it is the best track in the country for a quarter mile, as the start is at the head of the long 120-yard back stretch, and after turning a sweeping curve, finish at the end of the long home-stretch."

The nearest track is that of the Manhatten A. c., on 86the street and 8th avenue. It is there that the inter-collegiate games will be held this spring. "this should be called the prince of cinder paths, and we will explainwhy. It is a quarter mile in circuit, and down one side runs a 220-yard straightway. It was built last spring, and with a season's frost, should, by May 24th, with proper care, be in splendid condition. Its sides are 150 yards straight, and its curves 70 yards. This latter is the only drawback. But the straight do a great deal to offset this. The 220 yard straight is about the best part of the grounds, as, when two champions meet on the scratch, there will be no argument of unequal terms brought to bear, and records will be remorselessly cut."