438 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



ground, without pulling the heels half a foot up the 

 inside every step. To obviate this see sketch of 

 spur strap. To keep them dry and soft, nothing 

 beats good neat's-foot oil or vaseline well rubbed 

 in long before using ; the thicker it is the better 

 for the purpose.* To take off dampness (if not 

 somewhat moist inside they are unhealthy), keep 

 a linen bagful of oats and fill the boots with 

 the grain by night, letting it dry by day. This 

 will stretch the leather and keep the shape with- 

 out straining the seams, and so cause a leak, as 

 will " trees." Do not let your bootmaker put any 

 lining whatever inside on any pretence. In fowling, 

 the toes are the first to give, and so require extra 

 protection from the first day ; done afterwards, it 

 is always a patch-up, leaky job. The feet of all 

 long boots may be fairly stout, but from the ankle 

 up they should be of thin material. You will 

 require a broad leathern thong from the outside top 

 of each boot that can button to a strap round the 

 waist, or else when soaked they will fall down in 

 wrinkles and crack. This belt strap is very useful 

 for knife and cartridge bag, which articles should be 

 made to hook on to it (see page 383).! 



Expenses. It is high time to say a few words 



* A well-known wildfowl-shooter last winter recommended to me 

 castor-oil, and says he finds it superior to all else as a waterproof 

 dressing for leathern boots. India-rubber is a very unsatisfactory 

 material ; it soon gives way under hard use, and, besides other draw- 

 backs, such boots are most unhealthy to the wearer. 



t I will not touch on the food question further than to say that a 

 small bunch of raisins are equivalent in their sustenance to a couple 

 of sandwiches and a glass of sherry for luncheon. Raisins are meat 

 and drink in one, besides being portable and easily procured. 



