Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

FURNITURE FOR FIXED CAMPS 55The first and fourth of these cots differ only insize and weight. The second folds so compactlythat it can be stowed in a short chest or steamertrunk. The third opens like a lazy-tongs, can beset up in less than a minute, and is unusually highand roomy for its weight.The wider the cot, the more comfortable it willbe, especially in cold weather. On a very narrowcot the sleeper's body raises the covering free fromthe bed on both sides, leaving gaps through whichcold air draws upward between mattress and blanket,chiUing the sleeper, no matter how much coveringhe may pile on. Sleeping-bags obviate this.The cotton pad mattresses made for camp cots areneedlessly bulky and heavy, hard to lie on, and hardto keep dry in the moist forest air. Much betteris a folded comforter stuffed with wool instead ofcotton. It can be kept dry and sweet by hanging itout in the sun like a blanket.Wool stays fluffy andspringy, but cotton batting mats down and getslumpy, besides retaining moisture.To be secure against insect pests is as essential topeace and comfort in camp as a dry roof overhead, ifnot more so.If the tent itself is not thoroughly screenedagainst flies and mosquitoes, then by all means getfrom the outfitter a cot frame and netting (Fig. 23),or, as a makeshift, rig for yourself a pyramidalhead-screen of netting or cheesecloth, to be hungby a string above the bed, with the edges of threesides tucked under the mattress after you turn in.Camp Chairs.—• Folding stools without backsare by no mean? comfortable. Far better is a chairin which you can recline and rest the whole body.The pattern show^n in Fig. 24 folds as easily as anumbrella, to a size 3 ft. long by 3 in. square, and,when opened, adjusts itself perfectly to the body. Itweighs 4^ pounds. A larger size, high enough torest the head, weighs 6% pounds.The armchair, Fig. 25, knocks down into six parts