Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-06-14
HOMEMAKERS COLUMN.
q topics Of innsrese 10th ladls.
COIUnN, oxford Democrat Paris. Haaas.

when no flrst talked Of camping
everyone said Il would cost too much, %
We proceeded 70 estimate the cost OF an
expedition TO be conducted on the CO.
operative plan.
There are four main considerations 10
arranging such On excursion, place not
too distant where there IL . good water
supply and stream for boating, means
OF conveyance, tents and food.
Concerning the place, we questioned
everyone we knew about different loca-
lions. For Q conveyance We planned to
hire man to take our goods and our
selves at the same time, on hayrack.
We also arranged to have one horse and
a wagon with Us for foraging excursions
when food supplies might run short.
One committee was appointed to hire
tents, another WAS chosen to secure e.
Inmates on necessary food supplies.
As result Of our Investigations we
discovered beautiful spot about twenty
miles away, well shaded and near river
with good bathing and fishing, and boats
which could be hired by the week for
moderate price. A small sum was paid
for the use of the grounds rs long ~ We
might wish to stay. By going half mile
we could secure excellent drinking water
and be free from the dangers OF Impure
water, which 60 many campers dis
regard.
We found a man who agreed to drive
our party and outfit to the camp ground,
sud to come for US when We were ready
TO return, for o., and this We consider
ed very reasonable.
We found that tents could be hired for
e. so week. For q party Of twenty or
txeuty-five, two tents will be needed, or
three IL an extra one can be afforded for
cooking, etc. The one for the girls
should be about 14xl6 feet or larger;
and for the boys one l0xl2 will probably
be large enough. We fastened large
piece OF heavy cotton ticking between
the end Of the girls tent and some trees.
thus making plxce for the stove and
boxes If canned goods. We took large
tin coffee and and tea boxes In which TO
keep bread, cookies and cake.
Each family furnished rs many loaves
Of fresh bread rs possible, and also
cookies, doughnuts, cakes, canned and
fresh fruits and vegetables, and whatever
could be spared from the home supplies.
Eggs can be taken IL carefully packed I;
aud enough milk to last two days, u kept
In cool place In the stream. Whatever
sours can be used for griddle cakes.
Then canned meats, fruits, condensed
milk (for often milk cannot be obtained
near the camp baking powder, sods,
spice, chocolate, cocoa, tea, coffee, fsv-
oripg, cheese, crackers, ham. bacon, lard,
dried beef, butter az more Is needed than
can be taken from each home) sugar.
salt, pepper, rice, beans, pickles, toma-
toes, potatoes, or other vegetables liked,
and Whatever else any one may want,
can be bought by committee on sup
plies. Many Of the small items mention
ed can be taken from home bv different
members Of the party. IL IL well for
each one to make list OF what he or
she will furnish, and what will be need
ed, and give to the committee several
DAYS before time Ia purchase.
We had n three burner gasoline stove,
and We always took this and It's oven on
camping expeditions. Thus we could
bake biscuit, cakes or pies when we
wanted = change. A Ave gallon can OF
"a soline WAS usually sufficient for the
ten or twelve days We spent 10 camp.
The dish and wash water was heated In
large iron kettles by the camp DIRE. Each
person or fsmily takes knives, forks,
spoons, plates, cups, ssucers, sauce and
vegetable dishes, enough for themselves
and extras for visitors; also steel cut
lery and tin aud iron ware for cooking
utensils. Be sure that there are three or
four large spiders and kettles, with COW
ers large and small tin cups, dippers,
spoons, and several water buckets aud
dish pans. A good supply Of dish cloths
aud towels must be taken, for three or
four towels will be needed for each dish
washing.
As TO the clothes needed each girl
should take an old wooden skirt, rather
short, for trsmping and general wear.
and one or two better ones for dress up
occasions; and several shirt waists. IL
there Is a good place for bathing, an old
waist aud skirt will do for this, II one
has no bathing suit. In the girls tent, q
rope was tied through the centre OF the
tent, and fastened to each centre end
pole, and the clothes hung upon this.
Trunks take up much room; and a
ss,chel or shawl strap or small box is
more easily managed. Do not forget
books and magazines and fancy work TO
while away leisure hours.
One especially appreciated piece OF
furniture was the hammock. made OF
barrel slaves and rope, with plenty.of
comforts and pillows. This was quite
long and strong, and many time all the
young folk gathered 10 and around 1t for
merry time, talking, singing or read
ing. One or two small rocking chairs
and camp chairs can easily be packed
upon the smaller wagon, and are accept
able additions, especially for the chsper-
ons. At night two or three lanterns will
be needed. and oil must be taken for
these; Chinese lanterns and candles can
be used on special occasions.
Very important are the axes, spades,
ha,chets, nails, ropes, etc, when pitch
ing the tents, and cutting wood for the
campfire.
The mornings and evenings are often
cool, and each one should take heavy
wrap Of some kind, and macintosh,
rubbers and umbrella should be provid-
ed In case Of rain.
| Each person should take one or two
comforts, blankets and pillows. Straw
can easily be obtained from some farm
near the camp, and this Is spread along
each side of the tents for the beds, leav-
ing space In the centre, over which q
long piece of carpet can be spread to
walk upon. Every morning the blankets
are carried out into sunny place, when
the grass IL dry, and thoroughly aired
aud summed. Then the sides OF the tent
are raised, letting in the warm air on the
straw, which is raked around and the
beds remade before the ground grows
damp.
In dividing the expenses, 1t Is best for
some one to keep list Of those In camp
each day, and when the total expense
of the trip Is known, find the cost Tor
one person for one day and then each
ones share can easily be found. What
ever supplies are left can usually be dis
posed Of among members Of the party,
and the amount obtained therefrom de-
Quoted from the total expense before
dividing
A day or two before starting for camp
as much Of the baggage as possible
should be taken to one house-that near
est the starting point-and II 1t is posi-
BILE to have the wagon taken there the
day before, most Of the packing can be
done the night before, leaving little to
do In the morning. II the distance to
travel Is some eighteen or twenty miles,