HINTS FOR CAMPERS.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 161, 2 December 1926, Page 7

HINTS FOR CAMPERS.

One of the greatest menaces to the motor camper’s health is flies. Flies breed in manure, garbage and other polluted surroundings, and they carry the germs directly from these spots to you if they are allowed to congregate in your camp. Keep your food supplies and your dishes out of their reach. Clear the tent of flies and mosquitoes at night, and don’t let them walk over the baby’s face or hands, or yours either! for that matter. A fly swatter is even more useful on a motor camping trip than at home.

The pouring of grease, dirty dish water and other refuse matter on the ground in or near your camp not only leaves an unsightly mess by which other people will judge you, But it is an unsanitary and dangerous practice. In open camp sites it is an easy matter to dig a sizeable hole in an out-of-the-way spot while you are setting up camp and using it for a repository for all trash and waste matter. The earth you take from the hole should he covered with an old piece of oilcloth, so that it can be kept dry, and some of it shovelled into the hole occasionally to discourage flies. Later, when leaving camp, the hole should be completely filled and the entire camp site tidied up. A small, short-handled axe, such as the Boy Scouts use, will prove one of the most useful items in your entire equipment. The smaller and more compact your campfire is the better work it will do. A big, roaring fire may be romantic, but it is impracticable for camp cooking until it settles down into a bed of glowing coals.

Many cars and many camping trips have been ruined by using cheap, nameless, adulterated oil purchased from unscrupulous roadside garages and filling stations. Always use the oil recommended by the manufacturer of your car, and insist on getting it, preferably in sealed containers. It is a little bother, but may save endless trouble.

If your party consists of only one or two people in a touring car or sedan, try one of the new auto beds which fit inside the car and can be rolled up or folded out of the way in a few seconds. Used with £t Cafnp sleeping bag and three or fbur blankets per sleeper, such an arrangement will provide comfort abed, even in cold and rainy weather." 1 J ’ When your or bitots' 1 get wet, there are several 1 practical methods of drying them. Always use a gentle heat to avoid stiffening the leather. They can be put upside d’ivln on two sticks near the campfire, or thejr can be filled with old dried'"tea'leaves ! or hot pebbles. - - ■ >.j at

You will need illumination !i'n camp. A kerosene lantern, a two-cyll 'electric lamp, some electric hand-flashes and a couple of folding candle lanterns should see you through nicely. Some campers use a searchlight, drawing current from the car battery. This is all right for a short time if you do enough funning in the daytime to recharge the battery.

Health and enjoyment are much more important than mileage in a motor camping trip. The wise camper explores small territories at a time, so that he can get the fullest enjoyment out of them.