148 
BULLETIN 414, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
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 life probably will be shorter, and on 
light 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 supplied for use in rainy and cold weather. Among these 
are slickers, or oilcoats, rubber boots, rubber capes, and warm hats 
and overcoats. Usually such articles are supplied 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 policy to 
provide about a dozen of each of the articles in a camp of 40 men, and 
such supplies will last at least one year. The cost of each are approxi- 
mately as follows: Slickers, $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 all clothing may be 
approximately summarized as follows: 
Item. 
Quantity 
per year. 
Cost per 
man per 
year. 
Item. 
Q^^SanK 
per year. m ^ eI 
Coats 
lto3 
lto3 
2 
S3. 50 
3.00 
1.00 
.75 
2.50 
6.00 
1.00 
Socks 
8 to 24 
$1.00 
Special articles, including 
slickers, boots, etc 
Shirts 
1.00 
Total cost of clothing 
Underclothes 
Shoes 
Hats or caps 
2 to 4 
3 
1 to 2 
19.75 
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 
