232 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



floor of a punt-house is best left natural ground. If a floor is 

 desired let it be of cement or concrete. The best punt-houses 

 are those which vary in temperature no more than can be 

 avoided, and are dry enough to prevent the contents becoming 

 mouldy. Corrugated iron is not recommended for building 

 boat-houses, for the reason that in the case of small buildings 

 it "sweats" too much, and a greater variation of heat 

 exists inside the building throughout the day than is the case 

 with wooden buildings. Avoid windows in a punt-house where 

 the sun can shine through on to the punt. Housed in such a 

 building would do the punt more harm than if out in the open. 

 When aboard sailing craft or other vessels used for cruising 

 along the coast, punts are best raised an inch or two on 

 supports and lashed to the deck. Raising her prevents soak- 

 ing and gives the punt a chance to dry a little. It is un- 

 wise to hang punts in davits when moving from one ground 

 tp another, or when on other voyages, as in such positions 

 they are rather apt to strain their side planks. When a punt 

 is stowed for the summer, put a bucket or two of water inside, 

 and see that she is laid fairly level. Then see to the oars, 

 poles, paddles, boat-hooks, mast, seats, gun-rest, mud-boards, 

 crutches or spurs, gun-hangers, and other articles in con- 

 nection with the punt. If the punt has a cover for the cock- 

 pit, these will take no harm if laid inside the cockpit on the 

 ceiling or bottom boards, the latter being raised some three 

 inches off' the punt's floor by a couple of wooden chocks. 

 Before laying by the punt, if it be one using a stout breech- 

 ing-rope for taking the recoil of the big gun, this rope should 

 be removed from the boat, coiled and hung up, which will 

 give it a chance to dry. If thought necessary, before another 

 season, the rope can be tarred by dipping it into Stockholm 

 tar one gallon, turpentine one pint, afterwards hanging it up 

 to drip. Rub off^ all the superfluous tar, and allow a month 

 to dry. Blocks used for hauling, etc., should be well oiled in 



