HANDBOOK FOR CAMPERS. 27 



For temporary camps the fire should be built as follows : 



Dig a hole about a foot deep and about 3 or 4 feet in diameter. 

 Shovel away the side toward the wind. Lay green poles across 

 the hole to support the pots and pans, and build the fire under- 

 neath. (Fig. 1.) 



Fire irons are often a great convenience. A piece of three- 

 eighths-inch round iron 4 feet long is bent at right angles a 

 foot from each end and the ends are sharpened. Two of these 

 irons are placed side by side, the ends are driven into the 

 ground and the fire kindled beneath them. Instead of being 

 made in one piece, the pegs and crossbars may be connected 

 by rings in the ends. (Fig. 3.) They will then fold and be 

 easier to pack. 



Camp fires should never be larger than necessary, and the 

 utmost care should be taken to prevent sparks from being car- 

 ried into the neighboring forest. Clear away the litter for a 

 considerable space about the fire. And be sure to put the fire 

 out before you leave it. 



A shovel is nearly as important a tool as an ax in camping. 

 Do not count on finding one along the way, but put one in your 

 outfit. 



During wet weather look for kindling in burned sugar-pine 

 or yellow-pine butts or in pine knots. The under side of a lean- 

 ing tree will usually contain dry material. Dead branches — of 

 manzanita, etc. — that have not yet fallen are drier than those 

 on the ground. Bark from fir snags is excellent fuel. 



Where matches are scarce or when the weather is stormy- 

 light a candle and kindle your fire from that. 



CAMP COOKERY. 



It is difficult to pack into camp very many different kinds of 

 foods, and the camper is recommended to secure variety in his 

 menu by learning to cook staple articles in different w^ays 

 rather than by stocking up with a varied assortment. Direc- 



