314 WILD LIFE AND THE CAMERA 



place and there enjoy the summer? The cost 

 of an outing of this kind, if divided among a few 

 friends, is very small, while the pleasure and benefits 

 to be derived from being in the open air so much of 

 the time are, of course, beyond words. Almost any 

 degree of comfort may be had in camp life when one 

 is near a village, and, while roughing it appeals 

 strongly to some of us, it is by no means necessary. 

 Why so many people insist on using tin cups and 

 spoons and steel forks when camping I have never 

 been able to understand. They would not use 

 them at home ; even the idea of it would be repul- 

 sive to their delicate taste. Then why not carry 

 plated forks and spoons into the woods ? They 

 are no heavier, are more easily cleaned, and have, so 

 far as I know, no drawback ; enamel iron cups and 

 plates are a trifle heavier than tin. They are also 

 more desirable. Wooden plates are sometimes used 

 by those who have little love for dish-washing, but 

 as the cooking utensils have to be washed, very 

 little labour is saved by using them. In order to 

 make a tent absolutely comfortable, a board floor 

 should be laid. It costs very little, and is worth 

 any price. As a rule a carpenter will lay it for a 

 small consideration if he can have the boards after 

 you have finished using them. It is best to have 

 the boards planed on one side. Otherwise it will 

 be necessary to lay a canvas floor-cloth, on account of 

 the splinters. In pitching a wall tent it is best not 

 to use the regular tent-pegs, but drive a strong 

 stake (which should be at least a foot higher than 

 the wall) in at each corner. To these stakes two 

 poles should be fastened on each side of the tent, 



