410 WILD FOWL SILOOTING. 
attempt to build one. ‘The model must be perfect, the 
seams impervious to water, the joints, ribs and sides of 
uniform and correct proportions, and it would be far 
better to let an experienced boat builder build you one 
than to undertake it yourself. They should be built of 
white pine or cedar, and when finished with oars, locks 
and sculling oar, should cost from $40 to $60. A 
pretty steep price, think you? ‘That depends on the 
way you look at it. If proper care is taken of it, it will 
last ten to twenty years. I saw one a year ago in use in 
excellent condition, that [ used to hunt in when a boy, 
over twenty years ago. But no man deserves to have 
a good boat unless le knows how to take the best of 
care of it. When not in use, it should be protected 
from the weather in a cool, shady place. Before using 
in the spring and fall it should be carefully examined, 
and painted when needed. When taken on the cars, 
if possible to do so, load and unload it yourself. All 
brakemen ‘*smoke,” but they have very little respect 
for a hunting boat when the owner is absent. When 
conveyance is necessary on a wagon, slip an extra quar- 
ter into the hand of your bucolic driver and ask him to 
restrain Pegasus and DBucephalus; at the same time 
walk at the side of the wagon, and see that the wagon 
stakes don’t shove a hole through the frail sides. A 
boat is a part of your outfit—the most important part. 
This being the case, your safety depending on it, as a 
matter of self-preservation, if not love for it, you should 
guard it. Are you a farmer, dear reader? If so, don’t 
use your boat like your neighbor does his reaper, his 
harrow, his plow, his farm machinery, after he has fin 
ished his season’s work, but give it a protected place 
and proper shelter. You should take just as good care 
