oak
keel and keelson; clinker-built, of white cedar.

Such a canoe will weigh about 22 pounds and will do just as well for
the man of 140 or 170 pounds, while even a light weight of 110 pounds
ought to take her over a portage with a light, elastic carrying frame,
without distress. She will trim best, however, at about 160 pounds. For
a welter, say of some 200 pounds, add 6 inches to her length, 2 inches
to her beam and 1 inch rise at center. The light weight canoeist will
find that either of these two canoes will prove satisfactory, that is
10 feet in length, weight 16 pounds, or 10 1/2 feet length, weight 18
pounds. Either is capable of 160 pounds and they are very steady and
buoyant, as I happen to know. I dare say any first class manufacturers
will build canoes of these dimensions.

Provide your canoe with a flooring of oilcloth 3 1/2 feet long by 15
inches wide; punch holes in it and tie it neatly to the ribbing, just
where it will best protect the bottom from wear and danger. Use only a
cushion for a seat and do not buy a fancy one with permanent stuffing,
but get sixpence worth of good, unbleached cotton cloth and have it
sewed into bag shape. Stuff the bag with fine browse, dry grass or
leaves, settle it well together and fasten the open end by turning it
flatly back and using two or three pins, You can empty it if you like
when going over a carry, and it makes a good pillow at night.

Select a canoe that fits you, just as you would a coat or hat. A 16
pound canoe may fit me exactly, but would be a bad misfit for a man of
180 pounds. And don't neglect the auxiliary paddle, or "pudding stick,"
as my friends call it. The notion may be new to most canoeists, but
will be found exceedingly handy and useful. It is simply a little
one-handed paddle weighing 5 to 7 ounces, 20 to 22 inches long, with a
blade 3 1/2 inches wide. Work it out of half-inch cherry or maple and
fine the blade down thin. Tie it to a rib with a slip-knot, having the
handle in easy reach, and when you come to a narrow, tortuous channel,
where shrubs and weeds crowd you on both sides, take the double-blade
inboard, use the pudding stick, and you can go almost anywhere that a
muskrat can.

In fishing for trout or floating deer, remember you are dealing with
the wary, and that the broad blades are very showy in motion.
Therefore, on approaching a spring-hole, lay the double-blade on the
lily-pads where you can pick it up when wanted and handle yo