Soldiers Field Improvements.

The Soldiers Field of the future will probably be three or four times as large as the Soldiers Field originally planned. What may be called Soldiers Field proper is that part included in Major Higginson's gift, on which are the baseball and football fields, the track, the Locker Building, and the Lodge. But on the north and west, between this tract and the river is a large extent of reclaimed land known as the Longfellow meadow. This land has been in the possession of the University for many years, but until lately it was regarded as practically useless. A process of draining and filling in, however, has resulted in reclaiming it completely. As soon as more gravel is thrown on and about a foot of loam on top of the gravel, grass seed will be planted and the whole area will become as well adapted to athletics as Soldiers Field proper is now.

This newly acquired space will probably be used for extensive tennis courts, a large skating rink, and a rifle range, with enough room left for any other needs that may arise.

The field will be further improved in a short time by prolonging the Harvard street fence from the Newell Gate along the river driveway to the line of the south football grandstand, and along behind the grandstand to join the other end of the Harvard street fence.

Norway maples, shrubs, and grass have been planted along the inside of the Harvard street fence and about the new Lodge. On the opposite side of the field, along the river bank, a double row of willows has been planted to serve as a wind break.

Among projected improvements are a swimming tank in the Locker Building and the erection of permanent iron-frame grandstands for football and baseball. The swimming tank is planned for the open court of the Locker Building. The wall of the part connecting the two wings of the building will be knocked out, a tank 44x25 feet built, and the whole space roofed with glass.

The money for the improvements already made on Soldiers Field, with the exception of the Carey and Locker Buildings, has come from gate receipts.