Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

144 CAMPING AND WOODCRAFTTrousers.— Khaki, of standard army grade, isgood for summer wear, as it is cool and can be'*washed. Duxbak," or other closely woven cravanettedcotton, is better late in the season, since itsheds a good deal of wet and keeps out wind. Bothof these materials dry readily. They are too noisyfor still-hunting.For cold weather the army trousers of olive-tanwool are good, unless one goes out for very roughtravel. The woolen cloth called kersey is firstchoice in a cool, rainy climate, or wherever muchwading is to be done. It is the favorite amongthose most practical of men. the log-drivers and lumberjacksgenerally.Woolen trousers do not wear so well as firmlywoven cotton ones. They " pick out " in brush,*'snag," and collect burs. What has been said ofcotton drawers applies also to trousers. Best of alltrouser material, for rough service, is genuine Englishmoleskin, which is a very strong, tough, twilledcotton cloth, with a fine pile or nap, the surface of*'Ivhich is shaved " before dyeing. It wears likeiron, is wind-proof, dries out quickly, and is comfortablein either warm or cold weather. Cheapmoleskin is worthless.Corduroy is easily torn, heavy, likely to chafe one,and it is notoriously hard to dry after a wetting.When wearing corduroy trousers there is a swishswashat every stride that game can hear at a greatdistance.Trousers should not be lined ; it makes them stiffand hard to dry.To wear with leggings the " foot breeches " of ourinfantry, which lace or button in front below thekne€, fit better than trousers that must be lappedover; but for wilderness wear I prefer commontrousers cut off about six inches below the knee:they are easier to put on and they dry out quicker.Riding breeches are best for the saddle. Theyare cut too tight at the knee for foot travel, espe-