Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1922-08-03

cheapest form Of recreation and
therefore appeals to those living In
crowded districts and unable to avail
themselves Of the more expensive
amusements. And these people, be
It noted, are Just those the country
Is so anxious to have spread out and
settled in the farming sections. The
hike, indeed, has possibilities as
real starter for the "back to the farm"
movement.
Dough5oy and Boy Scout Lead Way
Just a brief survey of the rolliclling
groups which move off from the out
lying terminals on holidays estab-
fishes a few general types. There Is
the eX-seryice man and his friends
who will hear from him the story
Of more serious excursions on the
muddy roads of France. He tight
ems strap here and another there
on the blanket roll adjustment or the
shelter half" in which the commits
sary Is packed for the midday feast
By the roadside. Expert directions
come from him on the method of
Singing the pack so 1t will not feel
30 heavy or interfere with the free
body movement. He will pass along
the information gained In his army
days, Of how that same pack was
evolved after numerous experiments
to find the easiest way of carrying
the heaviest load With results he
new compliments, but which he char
actas1zed when a doughboy as a
"blSakety-blank total failure"
Then there are the boy scout par
ties, adept at everything pertaining
TO "shanks mare" travelling and wood
craft The ex-service man and the
boy scout are pioneers in the hiking
gene. Listen to one Of them right
OK the train and making ready for
twelve mile jaunt: Get that can.
teen over to the side, Jimmie, and
II won't keep bouncing of your leg
every step. Is it filed? Well, then.
we drink. How about the eats? Let's
check 'em off. You got the spuds,
Bal the bacon Jimmie. Who has the
coffee and the Borden tin cow"
"Right here" announces a .freckled
comrade Of the road. patting his KNAPP
sack. Switched the mocha and the
can OF milk when Sis wasn't looking"
swell then, let's go" snaps the
commander Of the expedition
This party is travelling light for real
distance. Another must expect to
make shorter hitch or else be count
ing greatly on Its power of endur-
ance. Perhaps the camp is not far
of because the group Is equipped for
an overnight stay with heavy blanket
rolls, matches, lanterns, canvas wa
tespails, rubber ponchos, kettles, pots,
new tangled flrestand. etc. etc. The
blankets are laid out for a better
packing Of the bags and cans Of food.
When the party commences to load
no the members bristle all over with
camp tools and equipment
Beck 70 ths Farm
The veteran from the crowded city
tenement has found new territory
to roam and one almost unknown to
hts associates. He Ia Introducing them
10 this newly discovered land and
teaching them how to be Independent
Of any transportation but their own
good legs and Of any subsistence but
what they can carry and prepare.
walk, and cook your own" Is his
motto.
Who will say the leaven thus fer
menting in the city crowds will not
bear fruit in a keener appreciation of
country delights, especially as these
are added to by increased comforts
on the farm. With his radio hitChed
up, the farmer listens in on the best
entertainment the country has to
offer. Modern home devices wipe OUT
many hardships formerly imposed
upon isolated jewellers, There is, in
short, a rapid cutting down of the
differential between farm and city
| life.
In the meantime, knowledge must
precede a true appreciation Of what
the country holds, and this Is what
the hike supplies. There Is more APP
peal in one apple tree in blossom than
In reams Of printed matter put out to
induce the citizen Of the city to
change his abode to the country, The
hikers constitute a growing army
equipped with bacon, spuds coffee
and tin COW for merely days outing
but nevertheless seeing sights that
make them yearn to be among them
all the time. 1t is not too much to
assume that the army may one day
| racruit the onpn Dlacps