12 PREFACE

pancake flour, sweet chocolate, dried milk, rice, cereals, fresh meat for first meal out, macaroni; canned goods—sauerkraut, corn, grapefruit, baked beans, peaches, pineapple, cherries, soups.

The Green Mountain Club publishes a special booklet on "Foods and Cooking on The Long Trail"; this can be obtained from the Secretary for ten cents.

WARNING

Be especially careful about fire. Remember that in the best camping weather the woods are very dry; the soil is inflammable, especially in evergreen woods. A fire should never be built against a log, stump, nor on humus; it may smoulder underground for long distances, come to the surface and start a disastrous fire days after the camper has left the spot. Cigarette butts and pipe dottle are especially likely to start fires of this sort. Hikers are warned not to render themselves liable for the destruction caused by fires on the property over which The Long Trail passes. It is private land. Extinguish all fires thoroughly before leaving a camp site or a shelter.

CAMP RULES

Rules are supposed to be crystalized public opinion, and their transgression is usually due to ignorance. Many who read this book need no guide to camp etiquette, but there may be a few who are venturing for the first time into a world where everything seems to be different, and where the sins of omission are serious. Camp rules

STUDY TO TRAVEL LIGHT

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might be summed up: "Use the camp as if it were your own, and as if the next comer were your dearest friend."

The first rule has to do with hygiene. Burn or bury all refuse. Tin cans should, if possible, be burned out in the fire and stamped flat and not thrown carelessly about the camp; then they will leave no odor nor hold water to breed mosquitoes. Food that is left around will attract flies and four-footed pests; eggshells and paper on the trail are sure signs of the Trail Hog. The wilderness is lovely because it is free from signs of man; leave none.

Always leave at least one day's supply of GOOD fuel in every camp. Perhaps you came in during a rain; possibly the next fellow will. Wood lying on the ground is usually rotten and makes very poor fuel. Down-wood that breaks with a loud snap is good, but generally an axe (not a hatchet) is required to obtain fuel.

Extinguish all fires before leaving, even in stoves. Be careful of lunch fires. Never build against a log, nor on the leaves (brush a four-foot circle clear first), nor on humus, especially in pine woods (make a foundation of stones after digging away dry humus), for the very ground will burn in the woods when dry, smouldering in under and coming up rods away, days later. Be very careful of cigarette stubs and pipe dottle. Do not waste wood by building bonfires. Others are coming and will need wood near the lodges. Do not deface trees, especially white birch. You would not want your own front yard despoiled. Do not deface camps, for the same reason. You do not care to see your guests' names written on your parlor walls. Register in the book provided and leave it hanging up.

If, on breaking camp, you desire to leave surplus food behind, put it in suitable closed containers and avoid leaving anything perishable. Leave ALL dishes in camp clean and hung up. You may not