CLOTHING 245 
ally when walking on soft ground. Rubber boots do not wear 
so long as leather ones, owing to the rough work they are called 
upon to do when punting ; but they answer fairly well for those 
persons who do not do a lot of shooting in them. As to wear- 
ing rubber boots affecting one’s system, we have not personally 
found this to be correct. From their insulating qualities, no 
doubt, they would prove noticeably injurious to some folks, if 
worn every day for months, at all times and everywhere ; but 
when only worn occasionally, and when the wearer is seated 
most of the time, we think that for punting rubber boots can 
hardly be condemned on this account. For both rubber and 
leather thigh boots a belt round the waist is indispensable, to 
which suspenders may be attached to keep the thigh part 
of the boots up. Be sure to have your boots a comfortable fit 
for your feet, when your stockings are on. Boots too large 
or too small are a discomfort to the wearer, but if there 
is a doubt to be given, cast it on the large side, or you may 
spend a day in getting them off or a night in bed with 
them on. Rubber boots should be washed clean of mud, 
etc., after each time out, and then slung up to dry. 
Leather boots should be done likewise, but, when dry, or 
nearly so, dress with the following, mixed well in equal parts : 
castor oil, best Russian tallow,.and Stockholm tar. Do not, 
on any account, dress the boots when soaked. If the boots 
should, through neglect, have become hard, rub in a little 
“‘Zozone”’ oil. This oil will search right through, and soon 
soften them. Then dress the boots over as before. ‘‘Zozone”’ 
oil can generally be bought at dealers in leather hose-pipes, or 
through fire-appliance agents. This oil is wonderful stuff for 
softening and preserving leather ; but if used continually and 
solely for the latter purpose, it searches through the leather 
and on to one’s stockings, besides making the boots leak 
through the pores of the leather, as well as weakening the 
stitches. 
