of ranging, may be done either by the battery commander himself or by a
special "observing" party. In either case the shooting is carefully
observed throughout, and corrections ordered at any time, whether during
the process of ranging or during fire for effect. The difficulties of
observation vary considerably with the ground, &c., for instance, the
light may be so bad that the target can hardly be seen, or again, if
there be a hollow in front of the target, a shell may burst in it so far
below that the smoke appears thin, the round being then judged "over"
instead of "short." On the other hand, a hollow behind the target may
cause a round to be lost altogether. Ranging with time shrapnel has the
merit of avoiding most of these "traps." The "French system of fire
discipline," referred to below, has this method as the usual procedure.