I 



320 GOODYEAR ON GUM-ELASTIC. 



purpose of fastening gaiters and shoes so much better than any 

 shoe-string, clasp, or lacing, that has heretofore been used, that 

 no comparison can fairly be made between the old and new 

 method of fastening shoes on the feet. See plate xx., fig. 2. 



BUFFALO SHOES. 



Shoes made of buffalo hides, with the fur inside, have been 

 very much worn in the northern and western states, where furs 

 are abundant, and where an article of this kind is needed on 

 account of the coldness of the climate ; but they are oftentimes 

 uncomfortably warm, and do not answer in snow-water or wet 

 weather. When these shoes are made of buffalo hides, covered 

 with gum-elastic, they are much more durable and comfortable 

 if the upper parts of the shoe are perforated, so as to be per- 

 vious to air and impervious to water, as represented, plate xx., 

 fig. 3. 



LADIES' BOOTS AND GAITERS. 



The upper part of these are made of porous fabrics, or felt 

 loosely cut. No article of the shoe kind is more Useful than this 

 for ladies and children to wear in the snow, or in muddy walk- 

 ing, or when dew is on the grass. As a preservative of health 

 they are invaluable. See plate xxi., figs. 4 and 5. 



MEN'S BOOTS AND GAITERS. 



Vulcanized gum-elastic boots have commonly been made upon 

 a knit fabric ; gum-elastic felt is also a suitable material for this 

 purpose, when the tops are perforated, as represented by figs. 6 

 and 7. They are comfortable to be worn at all times. They are 

 made of both the above materials, without perforating, for wear- 



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