mccaughey] over-night NATURE-STUDY TRIPS 153 



Elasticity, serenity, willing compliance with the moods of the day 

 and place, these are touchstones to success in the camping trip. 



The camping site should be located near a bountifvd water sup- 

 ply, including pure drinking water. Surface water is always liable 

 to contamination. There should also be plenty of firewood, for 

 cooking and camp-fire. The sleeping places should be in the open, 

 on dry ground; where the grass is short, or where there is sand. 

 Amateurs often make the mistake of camping in deep woods, or 

 heavy grass, where dew and insect pests ruin the night. Experi- 

 enced woodsmen always camp in the open. The gravelly shingle 

 along the stream is a better sleeping place, for example, than is the 

 moist ferny undergrowth of the forest. In the selection of a site a 

 sharp lookout should be kept for poison ivy, nettles, and other 

 noxious plants. 



The women, after experimenting with various types of clothing, 

 found the most satisfactory garb to be about as follows: Shoes — 

 comfortable, broad-heeled, broad-soled, buckskin leather; not 

 heavy boots; shoes not too thick. Shoes with high heels, narrow 

 soles, or made of thin leather are worse than useless on tramping 

 trips. They are most fatiguing, and usually cripple the wearer. 

 Brown tennis "sneaks" are good, but tiresome to any one accus- 

 tomed to shoes with heels. Comfortable shoes, well oiled, and 

 well broken in, are absolutely essential to good field work in nature 

 study. Hobnails are helpful, especially where there is much 

 climbing, or slipper^'- grass. 



Stockings — ^fairly thick; excessively thin, gavizy hosiery gives 

 no protection to the feet and legs. A fairly heaw stocking not 

 only cushions the foot, but also protects the legs from poison i\^, 

 stickers, etc. Leggings are not necessar\-. They are heavy and 

 tiresome to any one not accustomed to them. Shoes, thick 

 stockings, and bloomers, comprise a far better combination for the 

 average woman than any arrangement involving high boots or 

 leggings. 



Bloomers — ^These are most desirable, and may be made of any 

 strong, durable material. Wool or serge is better than khaki, 

 which is too hea^^^ A light-weight skirt is worn over the bloomers 

 until the "pale" of convention is reached, and then joyfully dis- 

 carded. The bloomers should be cut full, but not as baggy as 

 orginary "gym" bloomers. Ample pockets, with flaps and buttons 

 are necessary. 



