238 THE IDYL OF THE SPLIT-BAMBOO 



The center slit for the head is twelve and one- 

 half inches long, and is sixteen and one-half inches 

 from the front edge of the cape. It is reinforced 

 by an extra piece of the goods three inches wide, 

 sewed on the inside (shown in illustration). The 

 edges of this piece and of the cape at the slit are 

 turned in and sewed together. 



Corresponding to this reinforcing piece but 

 slightly larger, and sewed along but one edge and 

 half-way across at the ends is the collar, three and 

 one-half inches deep at the center and four inches 

 at the ends. It is fastened to the outside of the cape 

 as indicated by the dotted lines. 



When the sewing is completed, melt one-quarter 

 pound of paraffine shavings in a tin vessel (placed 

 in a second vessel containing boiling water) and 

 mix thoroughly with one pint of turpentine. Allow 

 the whole to remain in the hot water bath, while ap- 

 plying it with a clean paint-brush to the outside of 

 the cape. Dry the cape in the air. It may show 

 streaky, but you can drive the paraffine into the 

 cloth fiber and distribute it evenly by pressing the 

 garment with a hot iron. A smaller proportion of 

 melted beeswax sometimes is incorporated with the 

 paraffine in such waterproofing operations. 



Anyone with the least experience in camping will 

 know of what paramount importance it is that you 

 clothe yourself in woolen underwear. It need not 

 be heavier than medium-weight, but it should be of 



