The Australian Bush. 429 



housekeeper j and by far the best plan is never to have more than 

 a month's provisions in the tent at a time. 



Be careful, in pitching the tent, to choose a spot where by no 

 possibility a branch from a gum-tree can fall on it. Huge branches 

 from these trees are continually splitting off and falling in a most 

 unaccountable manner, without a moment's notice. Pitch the tent 

 on a slight rise, if possible, among heather, which, however, burn 

 clear away, leaving a wide, open space all round the tent. If you 

 see the slightest appearance of a rush growing, however small, be 

 sure that spot will be flooded in the winter. The heavy rains 

 are generally in May, June, and July. It rains principally at night, 

 and if the tent is properly pitched and trenched, and has a good fly 

 over it, the inmates will suffer no inconvenience. 



The camp-fire can, if it be wished, be kept up day and night by 

 banking up j and for a tent-stove, which will be often very com- 

 fortable in the winter, nothing answers better than an empty paint 

 can of block-tin, with holes punched in it, filled with charcoal from 

 the camp-fire. 



Never sleep on the ground, but build up a bunk with forked 

 sticks and cross-poles, over which sacking can be secured, so that 

 you lie at least six inches from the ground. Recollect that in the 

 bush, as well as on the diggings, a good night's rest is worth a meal 

 of meat. 



The bush outfit must include a good axe or two, a spoke-shave 

 and gimlets, a spade, cross-cut saw, hammer and nails j a long- 

 handled frying-pan, a tin bucket, and a dark-lantern 3 a camp-oven, 

 and a couple of pots for boiling water. Every man must provide 

 his own clothes, bedding, knives, plates, and pannikins, and see after 

 them himself in the bush. 



One of the party will be cook for the week, turn and turn about. 

 He will also have to keep the tent neat, and always bear in mind 

 this golden motto — '' a place for everything, and everything in its 

 place." 



Recollect one thing, that a party who are neat in their tent, will 



