If you wish to plant firmly a tree that you have cut down, you may perhaps be able to drive a stake larger than the trunk of the tree; then loosen the stake by hitting it on the sides, and pull it out.  You can do this when you have no shovel, or when the soil is too hard to dig.  Small stakes wedged down the hole after putting in the tree will make it firm.

ETIQUETTE.

Some things considered essential at the home table have fallen into disuse in camp.  It is pardonable, and perhaps best, to bring on whatever you have cooked in the dish that it is cooked in, so as to prevent its cooling off.

You will also be allowed to help yourself first to whatever is nearest you, before passing it to another; for passing things around in camp is risky, and should be avoided as much as possible for that reason.

Eat with your hats on, as it is more comfortable, and the wind is not so apt to blow your stray hairs into the next man’s dish.

If you have no fork, do not mind eating with your knife and fingers.  But, however much liberty you take, do not be rude, coarse, or uncivil:  these bad habits grow rapidly in camp if you encourage them, and are broken off with difficulty on return.

If there is no separate knife for the butter, cheese, and meat, nor spoon for the gravy and soup, you can use your own by first wiping the knife or spoon upon a piece of bread.

Be social and agreeable to all fellow-travellers you meet.  It is a received rule now, I believe, that you are under no obligations to consider travelling-acquaintances as permanent:  so you are in duty bound to be friendly to all thrown in your way.  However, it is not fair to thrust your company upon others, nor compel a courtesy from any one.  Try to remember too, that it is nothing wonderful to camp out or walk; and do not expect any one to think it is.  We frequently meet parties of young folks walking through the mountains, who do great things with their tongues, but not much with their feet.  If you will refrain from bragging, you can speak of your short marches without exciting contempt.

Avoid as much as possible asking another member of the party to do your work, or to wait upon you:  it is surprising how easily you can make yourself disliked by asking a few trifling favors of one who is tired and hungry.

MOSQUITOES, BLACK FLIES, AND MIDGE.

These pests will annoy you exceedingly almost everywhere in the summer.  In the daytime motion and perspiration keep them off to some extent.  At night, or when lying down, you can do no better than to cover yourself so that they cannot reach your body, and have a mosquito-bar of some sort over your head.  The simplest thing is a square yard of mosquito-netting thrown over the head, and tucked in well.  You will need to have your hat first thrown over the head, and your shirt-collar turned up, to prevent the mosquitoes reaching through the mesh to your face and neck.