148 BULLETIN 414, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTUEE. 



Shoes. 



The form of shoes usually provided is that known as brogans. In 

 a number of the States the shoes used by the road-working convicts 

 are made in the penitentiary shops. Some attempts have been made 

 to prolong the life of shoes by reinforcing them with metal about the 

 heel. These attempts, however, are not satisfactory, as the stiffness 

 of the heel thus reinforced is a common cause of lameness which seri- 

 ously impairs the efficiency of the workers. The costs of shoes used 

 range from $1.37 per pair in Virginia to $3 per pair in Washington. 

 The more usual costs are from $1.75 to $2.25, and the average cost is 

 about $2 per pair. Reports of the life of shoes indicate that they 

 will last under average conditions about 4 months ; on rock work or 

 work in marshes, however, their hfe probably will be shorter, and on 

 hght work somewhat longer than the average. The average cost of 

 shoes per man per year as reported is $6. 



Hats and Caps. 



The hats and caps in use are of various forms, such as the ordinary 

 convict-striped skull caps, golf caps, felt hats, and broad-brimmed 

 straw hats. They vary in cost from 40 cents to $1 each and last from 

 six months to one year. The average cost per man per year is approx- 

 imately $1. 



Special Articles. 



Besides the staple articles above mentioned a number of special 

 articles are supphed for use in rainy and cold weather. Among these 

 are shckers, or oilcoats, rubber boots, rubber capes, and warm hats 

 and overcoats. Usually such articles are supphed for the use of only 

 a part of the force for the reason that it is the practice to employ only 

 a few men away from shelter in bad weather. It is a good pohcy to 

 provide about a dozen of each of the articles in a camp of 40 men, and 

 such supphes will last at least one year. The cost of each are approxi- 

 mately as follows: Shckers, $2 each; rubber boots, $2.40 per pair; 

 rubber hip boots, $4.90 per pair; rubber capes, $1.75 each; warm 

 hats lined with fur, $1 each. The average costs of aU clothing may be 

 approximately summarized as follows: 



Item. 



Quantity 

 per year. 



Coat per 



man per 



year. 



Item. 



Quantity 

 per year. 



Cost per 



man per 



year. 



Coats 



lto3 

 lto3 



2 

 lto2 

 2 to 4 



3 

 lto2 



S3. 50 

 3.00 

 1.00 

 .75 

 2.50 

 6.00 

 1.00 





8 to 24 



SI. 00 



Trousers 



Special articles, including 

 slickers, boots, etc 





Shirts 



1.00 





Total cost of clothing 

 per man . . 







Underclothes 







Shoes 



19.75 



Hats or caps 









COTS AND BEDS. 



The usual forms of beds provided may be described as box bunks, 

 pallets, wooden or Army cots, and metal cots. The box bunks con- 

 sist simply of a rough box placed directly on the floor or elevated 



