118 TRAPPING AND WOOD-CRAFT. 



precaution, when they are so dry that there is no danger of 

 their adhering to one another, I put them in a warm, dry bot- 

 tle, with waxed or water-proof stopper or cork. This is the 

 true way to carry any sort of matches. 



I always prefer to put up matches, caps, &c., in several dif- 

 ferent packages or places, so that in case of accident all is not 

 lost. This system should not, however, be carried to an ex- 

 treme, as it is then both confusing and troublesome. Every 

 thing should be plainly labeled. Boxes, &c., containing a mis- 

 cellaneous assortment of stuff, should have a list on the out- 

 side, or on the inside of the cover. 



As to provisions, I should leave out beans, which to be 

 good require time for preparation, and instead, should carry 

 a package of " self-raising flour " wheat an excellent 

 article. With it you can make biscuit or bread on short 

 notice. It is to be had of grocers generally, I believe, put 

 up in six pound packages. Pork or lard, butter and sugar, 

 are all the luxuries needed, except perhaps coffee and tea. 

 You can fatten on them. Beef, butter, sugar, Indian meal, 

 &c., are said to contain a great proportion of strength-giving 

 food. 



I quite agree with you on the subject of clothes, but will 

 make a few suggestions. I prefer to have my boots first 

 sewed in the ordinary manner, and then to have a light u Na- 

 poleon tap," pegged on with steel or copper nails. I soak a 

 hot mixture of mutton-tallow, bees-wax, and rosin into the 

 soles of boots, till they will absorb no more ; such boots wear 

 out slowly and the soles never get soaked or water-logged. 

 The preparation I recommend is far superior to coal or com- 

 mon tar for this purpose ; the boots do not " squeak " as 

 those tarred will. There should be more tallow than wax, 

 and more wax than rosin. 



The trapper should always be provided with scissors, 

 needles, pins, thread, &c. 



Pork, bread, meal, &c., should be put up in neat boxes or 

 bags, as nearly water and air-tight as possible, each neatly 

 and legibly labeled, so as to pack easily and be known at 

 sight, without rummaging. Bags should be painted or other- 



