30 THE SPORTSMAN'S VADE-MECUM 



during their ordinary avocations ; but at night, in cold regions, a 

 good pair of Shetland wool will enable one to sleep sound, and not 

 suffer from either cold or a little damp. 



Woollen socks, strongly made, are the best for the feet. Have a 

 clean pair, along with a pair of woollen drawers, in the head of 

 your camp bed, and put them on when getting into bed at night. 

 Your feet will be warm and dry, and when rising in the morning 

 the change to your trousers and other socks will not chill you much. 



A woollen Norfolk jacket, turn-down collar, and two plaits in the 

 waist to enable the belt to be worn comfortably, is the most suit- 

 able coat. Let it be made amply loose in the shoulders, arms, 

 and skirts, with five buttons down the front and three pockets 

 first, the small cartridge pocket alluded to before ; secondly, one 

 inside the left breast, for handkerchief, &c. ; third, one outside the 

 left breast, with a good flap over it, for binoculars. At the neck, 

 a hook and eye will keep the collar more comfortable than the 

 button alone. 



For trousers, have a pair of breeches made, but without buttons 

 on the leg, and made as loose as knickerbockers in the seat and at 

 the knees. They should fit pretty close to the calf, and extend 

 down to the ankle, so as to be tucked into the socks. 



Leggings are required, both to help keep the legs warm and keep 

 snow and rubbish out of socks and shoes. Beyond doubt, the 

 Indian putties, or cloth bandages, are the best things out. They 

 afford great support to the muscles and veins, prevent the legs 

 becoming too big (and, therefore, heavy), keep them warm, sup- 

 port the leg of the breeches in a comfortable position, and save the 

 legs from the blows of falling stones or timber when clambering 

 up a steep hillside. 



An outer sock, over the woollen and inside the shoe, is a great 

 means of saving wear and tear. Woollen ones worn alone inside 

 grass shoes soon show holes at the heel and ball of foot, but an 

 outer sock of either leather or canvas will materially assist to pre- 

 vent this. The easiest way to have these made is to rip up an old 

 ammunition boot that fitted well ; the three pieces forming it 

 namely, sole, front, and back will be good patterns to cut out by. 

 The material may be old buck, cheetal, or other skins, with hair 

 outwards, and three or four holes on each side over the ankle to 

 lace them by. If they are to be worn with the grass shoe that has 

 a string between the big and second toe, they should be divided 



