The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-01-01
WHY RISK WET FEET.
Bureau Of Chemistry. U. 5. Depart.
mcnt Of Agriculture, Gives Recipes
for Waterproolng Footwear That
VIII Make 1t Weather Resistant in
Mildly Bad Weather.


-
Nothing is much more uncomfort-
able than going about with wet shoes
yet even the most fOrehanded are
caught occasionally in a storm with
out rubbers and wet feet Is their por-
ton, as with those who dislike and
seldom wear overshoes. Although
rubbers overshoes and boots Will
keep water out. they also keep the
pefspiration in, Moreover they are
cold in winter and hot in summer.
For these reasons, as well as because
OF their excessive weight, rubber foot
wear Is objectionable to many peo-
pie; but dependence for keeping the
feet dry must be placed on rubber
ovcrshoes and boots or waterproofed
leather shoes and boots. The bureau
Of chemistry, United States depart
ment of agriculture. has recently COM
pleted series Of experiments on the
care and use of leather and recon.
mends waterprOofing the shoes that
are worn in the winter and spring
Not Wholly Water-Tight.
3 Leather shoes and boots, as they
are made nowadays, when treated to
make them water resistant, allow the
entrance OF some. water owing prin-
cipaily TO the difficulty OF completely
wnterproofing the seams Such foot.
wear can not be expected to keep the
feet perfectly dry If worn for long
time in wet weather. nor will It take
the place Of rubber shoes or boots
for walking in water slushy snow,
or very soft mud. They are very
however, for protecting
the feet during rain or snowstorms
and for use on wet pavements or
wet ground. They also keep the
preparation In, but are not as objec-
tionable as rubber in this respect.
The application Of oil or grease to
lishf- -colored or russet leather dark
ems 1t, more or less, and also makes
any leather more. difficult to polish.
Where this Is objectionable, only the
sofes OF the shoes should be water
proofed. The uppers can be made
quito x-nter resistant by the frequent
application OF GOOD wax polish
. The occasional use OF castor oil on
shoe uppsrs viii increase their wa.
ter resistance, as we'll as their flexi-
hiiity and durability, without great
iy interfering with their being polish
ed. II. the oil is applied lightly to
the clean. dry shoes and rubbed In
until the leather IL dry, they may be
poiished- immediately. although it lis
better to wait until,Hhe following day
II the oil is applied too. heavily, it VIII
be difficult to polish the shoes and
the shine will not last very long.
In summer the grease used for. wa
terprooflng shoes and boots rould be
harder than that used in winter.
Since heavily grensed shoes have a
tendency TO cause the feet 70 porspire
and swell In hot weather, and there is
also less need for the water resistant
shoes In summer than in winter and
spring, II is rarely advisable to put
as much grease on the shoes at
that time OF the year, In summer,
the quantity OF grease used should
not exceed the amount that the leath-
on will take up without leaving It's
surface greasy. In. winter. especially
" H. is desired to get the greatest
water resistance. a mixture OF grease
and oils that is not too hard when
cod is required: more OF this grease
TRAN the leather Will absorb may be
used. An excess will do no harm
and will make the leather more wa
ie, rcsitant. ..t
WaterproofnS Formulas.
For waterproofing boots and shoes,
nothing better than the following
simple formula is known to the de-
partmcnt OF agriculture. While the
department believes that those formu-
las do not infringe on any existing
patent or pending applications for
patents, it can assume no responsible.
ity. N.
Formula l.: ounces OF neutral
wool crease. 4 ounce dark petrola.
tuni and ounces paraffin wax.
Formula 2: pound petrolatum, 2
ounces teeswax.
Formula g.: 8 ounces petrolatum,
ounces parafiin wax, ounces wool
grease, and 2 OUNCES crude turpentine
gum (gum thus).
Formula 4: II ounces tallow and
4 ounces cod OIL
Shonld be Melted Together.
In each case the ingredients of the
mixture should be melted together by
warming them carefully and stirring
thoroughly. Better penetration is OBJ
tained if the grease il applied warm
tut it should mover be hotter than
the hand can bear.
Grease thoroughly the edge OF the
sole and the welt, as this is where
shoes leak most. The sole should also
be thoroughly impregnated with the
grease, thereby increasing It's water
resistance, durability, and pliability
The sole can be most conveniently
waterproof ed by letting the shoe stand
for about Is minue snasha nm n
dor about Is minutes in shallow
pan containing enough Of the melted
waterproofing material to cover the
entire sole. Rubber heels, however
should not be allowed to stand in the
grease, as 1t softens the rubber.