There are two essential points that must be remembered by initiates
into the cross word puzzlers’ fraternity. First, the numbers in the
squares refer to the definitions; secondly, there should be but one
letter to each white square.
Figure 1 shows a cross word puzzle challenging each and every one of us
to solve it. Looking the puzzle over we find that 1 horizontal calls
for a seven letter word meaning “disparage.” That is not so easy, so we
leave it temporarily. We go on to the next one, which is a three letter
word meaning “a cereal grass.” What else could it be but OAT? Therefore
we ink in OAT in the proper squares. “Vice Admiral.” That most
assuredly must be VA. We place that into position. The ninth, tenth and
eleventh do not come to our minds immediately, so we pass them up. We
will catch them on the cross check. Twelve is familiar, however, and
with a little thought we place LO in the vacant squares. The rest do
not come to us, so we leave them also, and turn to the verticals.