Camping and woodcraft - Scoutmastercg.com

TENTS FOR SHIFTING CAMPS 71rial is closely woven. What is known in this countryas " green waterproof " has gone through thecupro-ammonium process and then is lightly waxedbesides, making it quite waterproof but more pliableand slower burning than plain waxed stuff.The mills produce many grades of light clothsuitable for tenting. Each tent-maker chooses forhimself, and generally does his own waterproofing.In comparing samples, count the number of threadsto the inch with a magnifying glass, then note weightper square yard, and strength.Cloth proofed with linseed or other drying oil isnot strong enough for tenting (for its weight) ; it issticky in hot weather, stiff in cold, and dangerouslyinflammable.Featherweight Tent Materials.— Pedestrianand cycle campers sometimes go in for the utmostpossible lightness and compactness of outfit thatwill serve their purposes. For tents they use themost finely woven cotton, linen, or silk, not waterproofed,but depending upon extreme closeness of textureto shed rain.The cloth may " spray " a littlein the first heavy downpour, but it will not leak solong as nothing rubs it from within.I have a sample of very close-woven silky cottonstuff from which a Puget Sound tent-maker turnsout "A" tents complete of the following weights:31^x7x4 ft. high, 2 lbs.; 4^x7)^x5 ft., 2^lbs. ; 7>4 X 7>^ x 7 ft., 5 lbs.Lightest of all rain-proof materials, strongest forits weight, and, of course, most expensive, is silk.It can be woven more closely than any other textileand so needs no waterproofing (oiled silk, such assurgeons use, weighs more than "balloon silk").Genuine silk is the toughest of all fibers ; but it doesnot stand much friction, hence should be reinforcedat all friction surfaces, and rolled up when packedaway, not folded in creases.It is unsuitable for anybut special tents made for pedestrians. A Londonmaker, T. H. Holding, sells a tentlette (If I may