Billiards is not necessarily purely a winter pastime. Time was when there was an accepted close season, but times have changed with various sports. Football encroaches into the summer season rather more than it used to do; lawn tennis is played all the year round; and the same can be said about billiards, even though the professional players are inclined to take a well earned rest or else go abroad and complete a strenuous year's work. Actually there is no apparent reason why the indoor pastime should not be an all-the-year-round affair. Many people play as much in the summer as they do in the winter, and the tendency is to start the season as soon as possible, and to continue until the summer is well advanced. With those who strictly observe the seasons, it is usually noticeable that there is a decided falling off in form. Billiards is a very exacting game. It calls for much practice, and continuous practice. Those who wish to retain their form are well advised to play a little during the summer to keep the hand and eye in.