Note
Cleanliness.—It is very important that perfect cleanliness be observed in camp, as it adds much to health and comfort. When you pitch your tent, select a spot a little distance from it, for the refuse. Here dig a deep hole, if your stay is to be long, and into this hole throw the debris, each time covering with some of the earth which you have dug out. By this means you can keep the place clean and sweet.
Clothing.—Both ladies and gentlemen should dress in flannel throughout. One change of under-flannel is enough extra clothes to carry, but be sure to take plenty of stockings. Have your boots well made and with broad soles. For hats, broad-brimmed felt hats are the lightest and coolest.
Soap.—Carry plenty of soap for bathing, for washing dishes, and clothes. Take three or four pounds of baking soda with you to use for bathing purposes; and, if needed, for your mead and cooking.
When it can be obtained take Hecker’s prepared flour, wheat, rye, Indian, or Graham. From this you will always be sure of good bread and griddle-cakes. Salt pork, smoked ham, bologna sausage, eggs, dried beef, salt fish. Game, fresh fish, and fresh meat are supposed to be obtained in the vicinity of camp. Pilot bread, crackers. Canned fruit and vegetables, where fresh cannot be obtained. Potatoes, beans, onions, Indian meal, molasses, sugar, salt, pepper, mustard, vinegar, butter, coffee, tea, chocolate, rice, oat-meal, baking soda, ginger, spice, soap, parafine candles, and kerosene oil.
The Essential Utensils are tin kettles with covers, coffee-pot, spiders with covers, gridiron, pans, basins, tin cups, pails, cans, knives, forks, spoons, lanterns, bags, ropes, strings, thread, needles, matches, shovel, axe, hammer, nails, slicking plaster, Jamaica ginger, fishing tackle, gun and ammunition, towels, stockings, and flannel garments. Each and every one of these articles may be found serviceable. The value of a match, a string, knife, a pin, or a pinch of salt, can never be realized, until in the woods or on the water the need of them has been felt. Parties scorning the idea of bothering with so many things when simply going out to rough it, will find it better to see that every thing is provided before starting; even then, they will find camp life rough enough.