316 WILD LIFE AND THE CAMERA 



A pile of huge logs burning and crackling, with 

 pots hanging over it, is, of course, the only thing 

 when we camp in the wilds, but near civilisation 

 there is the difficulty of obtaining wood, and anyhow 

 an open fire is not nearly so convenient as a stove 

 for cooking purposes. Especially is this true 

 during the warmer months. For practical use there 

 is nothing much better than an oil stove, which 

 should be used in a tent and sheltered from the 

 winds. In case you are bothered by mosquitoes, 

 nets over the beds are almost a necessity, but as it 

 is nearly impossible to make a tent mosquito-proof, 

 a smudge should be placed in a suitable place. A 

 smudge is easily made of woods, chips, pieces of 

 bark, leaves and grass, placed in a tin bucket or can. 

 Be sure not to leave this where it can set fire to the 

 tent, in case it bursts into flame. The best preven- 

 tion for mosquitoes is to find a place where they are 

 not. To insure comfort it is absolutely necessary 

 to place your camp as near as possible to the water 

 supply. It seems easy enough to carry a pail or 

 two of water two or three hundred yards, but after 

 a time you will come to the conclusion that a tenth 

 of the distance is ample. 



A very delightful way of spending a few weeks 

 is to go either alone or with some thoroughly con- 

 genial spirit, taking all your belongings in a pack- 

 basket. In this way, if your load be not too heavy, 

 you can go from place to place with comfort, camp- 

 ing where you will. A few days can be spent with 

 the greatest possible pleasure along a trout stream, 

 away from habitations ; but do not depend altogether 

 on trout for food ; if you catch many you soon 



