will drive
easily; and notch them about two inches from the top, so that they will
hold the rope. Cut away the wood from just above the notch towards the
back of the head; this will prevent the notch of the pin from splitting
off when it is driven. It is well to have pins differ in length and
size: those for the corners and the stays should be the largest, say
fifteen to eighteen inches long; and those for the wall and door may be
eight or ten inches. But pins of these sizes are apt to pull out in a
heavy storm; and so when you are to camp in one spot for some time, or
when you see a storm brewing, it is well to make pins very stout, and
two feet or more long, for the stays and four corner guy-lines, out of
such stuff as you find at hand.

[Illustration]

Loosen the pins by striking them on all four sides before you try to
pull them up. A spade is a fine thing to use to pry out a pin that is
deep in the ground, and a wooden mallet is better than an axe or hatchet
to drive them in with; but, unless you have a large number of pins to
drive, it will hardly pay you to get a mallet especially for this
business.

Make a stout canvas bag to hold the tent-pins; and do not fold them
loose with the tent, as it soils and wears out the cloth.

BEST SIZE OF TENTS.

The majority of people who go into permanent camp prefer tents
considerably larger than the army wall-tent; but, unless your camp is
well sheltered from the wind, you will have constant and serious
troubles during every gale and thunder-storm, if you are in a large or
high tent. A large tent is certainly more comfortable in fine weather;
but you can make a small one sufficiently cheerful, and have a sense of
security in it that you cannot feel in one larger. But, if you will have
a large tent, make it of something heavier than drilling.

If you have two tents of the same height, you can connect the tops with
a pole, and throw a fly, blanket, or sheet over it on pleasant days.

Do not pack away a tent when it is damp if you can possibly avoid it, as
it will mildew and decay in a few days of warm weather. If you are
compelled to pack it when very damp, you can prevent decay by salting it
liberally inside and out.

Before you put away your tent for the season be sure that it is
perfectly dry, and that the dead flies and grasshoppers are swept out of
the inside. You should have a stout bag to keep it in, and to prevent
its being chafed and soiled when it is handle