Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

i6oCAVfplNG AND WOODrRAFTone's " back hair," or chin if need be, holds the haton in a wind.A stiff rim is suitable only for mounted men ; inthe woods it is a plaything for brush and lowbranches.A flannel sweat-band absorbs perspiration insteadof holding it back like a leather one. (The Jaegerstores have them in stock.) It also helps to hold thehat on. In attaching, do not sew through the hatbut through the narrow band under original sweatband,otherwise the hat will leak.A cap is of no account in the rain, and its crownistoo low to protect one's head from the sun rays.Head Nets.— A head net and gauntlets are theonly adequate protection against insects when theseare at their worst. The best net is of Brussels silkveiling of fine mesh, black, because that isthe easiestcolor to see through. A net that tears easily isizseless.Gloves.— Buckskin gloves are needed in mountainclimbing and in a region where thorns andbriers are common. Buy the regular army ones:they are real buck, and dry out soft. Cavalry gauntletsare better for horseback trips. By folding thehand of a gauntlet back against its cuff the latterserves as a drinking cup.For " fly time " Dillon Wallace recommends" old loose kid gloves with the fingers cut off andfarmer's satin elbow sleeves to fit under the wristbandsof the outer shirt."Waterproofs.— Rubber tears easily. Oilskinsare superior, regular weight for the saddle and theduck blind, " feather-weight " for fishing and thelike. A slicker should be quite roomy, to admit a?much air as possible. Oilskin overalls are gooc?things, at a fixed camp, to wear of a morning whendews are heavy and where the brush is thick.On a hike there is no need of rubber or oilskinsIf you wear cravenetted or lanolined clothing; butone usually carries a light poncho as a ground-sheet