The National tribune., 1902-07-10
A CHAT ABOUT CAMPING.
Suggestions as to Preparations for a
Sojourn in Forest or by Stream.
EDWIN p. sANDYs IN OUTING.

EDW 1N J.. SANDS IN OJilNt
A useful preparation for camping out
ing would be careful reading of the best
| works by our masters of forest lore. This
| should prove Il pleasant task, and will
give the reader the advantage of knowing
something of what the writers knew, be
| fore attempting the real thing. Camping
may be made expensive or done chedply,
as best suits ones purse. 1t also offers
variety of methods. which include the
hunting, fishing, or trapping camp. the
permanent camp, the family and holiday
camp, for rest mainly, and the shifting
camp, where lot OF moving from point
to point is contemplated. The hunting
camp need not be dwelt upon. 1t almost
| invariably is i'll charge of some plainsman
or mountaineer, who furnishes tents, pack
horses, wagons, and other essentials, and
| tells by letter exactly what each indi-
vidual should take il addition to arms and
| clothes.
The permanent camp is more of Il
| house than camp. and may be roughly
built of large logs and after the fashion
of an ordinary log house; or of handsome
| selected materials to form Il rustic cot
| tage; or OF lumber hauled in, or designed
| upon some collapsible plan which admits
of its being carried by train or boat and
easily erected upon the chosen site. This
style of camp is excellent and most com
Portable. Inside it is arranged like
simply planned house, fixed or movable
partitions affording privacy when desired.
Such a camp has a kitchen and cook stove
and its proper management is merely a
question of housekeeping, which anyone
accustomed to living in a private house
will understand. yns
For family party contemplating
sOJourn under canvas, two or more wall
tents (wall about three feet high are the
best. Thanks to American brains, we
now have camp cooking outfits which ac-
tually will do what is required. These
are compact, aid contain all needful cook
ing utensils, stoves that will cook, and
tableware of rational design. Some of
the best of these outfits pack into a space
no larger than a dress suit case. and
weigh from 30 to 30 pounds, while the
box into which an outfit packs is designed
to serve as the camp table. 1t is a wise
plan to have small tent or other snug
shelter to serve as kitchen. Cooking in
the open air, even when a good camp
stove is used, is pleasant only in fair
weather. Do not forget Il small ak, a
few nails, ball of strong cord, needles
and thread.
The location of the camp must be duly
considered while choosing the outfit. If
there be but short carry from some
steamboat landing, heavy packs are no
great IL you are SoiilS ny ldll
or wagon the question of bulk and room
is not so important as il becomes when
skiffs or canoes are to De depended on.
tramping party will, of course. travel
in light marching order. Most camp out
fits are too cumbersome. There is no
sense in Juggling about a lot of stuff which
is not really necessary. 1t is eXasperating
to handle and not infreQuently difficult to
stow.
The provisions to be taken from town
will include sugar, coffee, tea, oatmeal,
crackers, bacon. salt pork, lard. pepper,
salt, mustard; these, with the other sup
plies from the farm, helped out by fish
and game, will afford enough variety.
From two and a half to three pounds of
all sorts of fare day is a fair allowance
for each camper. n heavy supply of
liquor is not necessary. You are not sup
posed TO be going on debauch, and if
you have been accustomed to a too free
use of hard stuff, the change should do
you good. If you really can't get along
without town ration Of irewater, you
will not enjoy any part of camping, for
the only visible bars are busy keeping
cattle where they belong
Sensible clothing includes two suits of
woolen underwear of proper weight; two
pairs of stout woOlen socks, or stockings
II Knockers are worn; flannel shirt, Il
sweater, a coat, knickers or trousers of
any material stout enough to withstand
rough usage An old business or bicycle
suit will admirably serve. Gray and
brown are the best colOrs for outer garb
and sweater. A soft felt hat, or cloth
cap to match suit, is the best headgear
l have worn coat, knickers and cap of
corduroy, and found it workmanlike and
seryiceable, but it dries slowly after being
thoroughly wet, and this sometimes is a
nuisance. Good tweed is as desirable as
anything.
The fOotgear should fit, for man on
a tramp. like horse, is only as good as
his feet. Too large a boot tires the feet,
while, of course, a tight boot is unfit for
wear anywhere. Light rubber boots
the sort which may be drawn well up the
thigh, or turned down below the knee-are
first rate for actual work IN the stream
and during rainy spell.
The poncho is very useful article,
either for rainy days or sleeping, and it
also makes tirst-rate shelter tent for an
emergency. A small pocket glass and
a good sun glass are worth carrying Old
soft silk handkerchiefs are always use
full, and a few yards of Swiss null are
desirable when insects prove troublesome.
A box of pills and some cholera drops Oc-
cupy but corner, yet they may be
wanted. so they are worth consideration.
AS good fly dope" as any contains three
ounces Of pine tar, one ounce oil Of penny
royal, and two ounces castor oil, sim |
mered together over slow fire and bot
tied i'll small vials, one for each member
of the party. Throughout the early sea
son, and until near the end of July, the |
insect pests of our best trout waters are |
not to be scoffed at, but this mixture will |
prove effective.
In selecting the camp site remember the
object of the outing. If it be fishing, the
good site nearest to the water will com
mend itself, while a shooting party will
have broader field. OF course, the ad-
vantage of spring of sweet water will
not be overlooked. II walking tours from
a fixed headquarters are desired, pitch the
tent short distance from roads and
trails. Tramps and casual pedestrains