CAMPING FOR ALL SEASONS 321 



a norther, when the temperature falls very suddenly 

 to freezing point or thereabouts, and the change, 

 coming as it does at a few hours' notice, makes one 

 very sensitive to the cold ; warm clothing will 

 therefore be most welcome. Any ordinary foot- 

 wear will answer, but it is not advisable to use 

 expensive waterproof boots, as the scrub palmetto, 

 with its saw-like edges, will cut the leather. Rubber 

 hip -boots will be found useful for those who object 

 to getting their feet wet. Heavy canvas leggings 

 protect one's legs from the palmetto and are there- 

 fore to be recommended. Unless you expect to 

 camp in swamps, it will not be necessary to burden 

 yourself with air mattress or any other kind of 

 portable bed. If you are in a palmetto country, 

 the palmetto will make a bed fit for anyone. 

 Either the scrub or cabbage variety answers almost 

 equally well. To make the bed, gather a number 

 of the leaves, split them into several parts, and lay 

 the pieces smoothly to a depth of six or eight inches. 

 The result will be a springy cushion equal to, or 

 better than, a well-made bed of balsam boughs. 

 Should you not be able to find palmetto, use 

 Spanish moss, tearing it apart very thoroughly 

 to avoid lumps. This, if carefully arranged, makes 

 a comfortable bed, but it should be aired every 

 day. A waterproof sheet laid over either of 

 these beds is advisable and, as Florida nights are 

 nearly always fairly cold, be sure to have enough 

 blankets. 



The provision-list need not include any canned 

 meats, as there is game in abundance in nearly all 

 parts of Florida, and it must be a poor sportsman 



W.L.C. Y 



