to spread the foot too much. Try this plan 

 some time. 



CHAPTER XX. 

 Aluminum Shoes. 



Aluminum shoes were pronounced a failure 

 a score of years ago, the principle reason for 

 this verdict being that they wore out too 

 quickly, which was true. But there is a hard 

 quality of aluminum made now that, if properly 

 worked in the process of making the shoe, will 

 rive the utmost satisfaction where a li^ht shoe 

 is required that will cover and protect a good 

 portion of the bottom of the foot. Aluminum 

 can be bought in almost any sized strips or 

 bars, but it is advisable to get it in bars large 

 enough so that it will require considerable 

 hammering to draw it down to the proper size 

 and weight for the shoe. Never, under any cir- 

 cumstances, put aluminum in the fire ; work it 

 cold and keep it cold by dipping it in clean, cold 

 water every few minutes while you are working 

 it. If you do not it will heat under the hammer 

 blows and you will destroy its texture. The 

 more you work it and the colder and wetter 

 you keep it during the process of ''drawing" it 

 down, the more you will refine and toughen it, 

 thereby guaranteeing a satisfactory job. I 

 have known four-ource front shoes made in this 

 manner to last from four to six wrecks in the 

 training and racing season. 



You can make a very neat bar-shoe out of 

 aluminum by drawing the heels out and "scarf- 

 ing" them the same as if you were going to 



77 



