5 
plan to have each strip cut longer by a given amount for each 1 per cent of difference 
in the lengthwise and crosswise shrinkage. In the case referred to above this differ- 
ence is 6.6 per cent, and each per cent represents an actual difference of 6 inches. A 
50-foot tent constructed in this manner would therefore measure before shrinkage 
52} feet (49 feet 10} inches + 3 feet 4 inches) lengthwise of the strips through the 
middle section, and 49 feet 104 inches crosswise of the strips. After shrinking, the 
dimensions would be approximately 49 feet 44 inches in each direction. 
On account of the variation in the shrinkage of different brands of 
duck it is necessary to test the crosswise and lengthwise shrinkage in 
the sample selected. This may be done by marking, with a lead 
pencil, lines 1 foot or more in length, both crosswise and length- 
wise of the strip of goods. The sample should be shrunken twice, 
each time wetting by submerging in water for two or three hours 
and drying in the sun. The amount of the shrinkage can then be 
determined by measuring the pencil lines just referred to. 
The marking of the tents with graduated stripes, which is a part 
of the process ie determining dosage requirements originated by the 
senior author,? requires less hes an hour for each tent. The neces- 
sary preparations for this, therefore, consist in procuring suitable 
paint and arranging for a patch of open field where the tents may be 
spread flat to become saturated with rain or dew, thus producing the 
desired shrinkage. The importance of the tents being thoroughly 
shrunken before the measuring for the graduations is obvious. 
Directions for “‘ mildew-proofing”’ the tents will be given in publi- 
cations now in preparation and it is not necessary to include them 
in this connection. Tents should be thoroughly dried in the sun 
before being folded for storage, and in preparing them for field use 
they should not be exposed to rains or dews any more than is neces- 
sary to shrink as advised above. 
POLES AND DERRICKS. 
In the Gulf States, seasoned cypress is probably the best material 
available for the manufacture of poles and derricks used in shifting 
tents. These serve practically the same purpose, the former being 
used in handling tents up to 50 feet in size and the latter in handling 
tents 50.feet in size and larger. The poles have no other attach- 
ment than a rope, while the derricks each consist of a pole with a 
crosspiece and braces at the base and eye-bolt attachment for pulley 
and tackle at the small end. These poles and derricks can be pre- 
pared for use in a short time, but it is very important that the poles 
be cut and peeled long enough before they are needed for use to 
permit them to become well seasoned. Poles should be carefully 
selected in order to have them as straight and free from knots as 
possible. While only two poles or two derricks are needed for use 
at one time, an extra supply of both should always be in readiness, 
aLoc. , pp. 32-33. 
[Cir. 111] 
