ually
building up the fire. Over the fire three larger sticks can be
placed--those which are three or four feet in length--brought to a
point, fastened with rope and a kettle hung over the fire from the
center.

One of the best woods to use is scrub oak which is distributed quite
widely over the United States. It burns slowly and gives out an even
heat.

Another fire, especially useful in the case of high wind, is built in a
trench, one end of which is deeper than the other, also wider. Start the
fire with dried leaves, twigs, etc., gradually adding larger wood,
finally using logs placed lengthwise in the trench. This type can be
used very effectively for burning garbage, particularly if the garbage
is placed in the trench and the fire built on top of it.

[Illustration: TO "KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING," KEEP THE WOOD PILE
HIGH]

Another type of fire which can be used for warmth even better than for
cooking is built in front of three large logs placed one on top of
another in slightly slanting formation. The logs serve to reflect the
heat.

A few suggestions may be helpful to the young camper. Before lighting
your fire have at hand all of the necessary material, dried leaves, tiny
dry twigs, twigs of a larger size, small sticks, and finally your heavy
fuel. Do not smother the fire by starting with too much material and do
not put it out by putting on too much wood at one time. The object is to
have a bed of hot coals over which you can do the necessary cooking
without either smoking the cooking utensils, burning the food, or
burning oneself, or being choked with smoke.

There are various cooking utensils and appliances made especially for
campers which are both interesting to use and most serviceable. One is
the grate with folding legs which can be stuck into the ground, the
grate placed over the fire. Another is the reflector oven made of tin
with a shelf holding a pan, the whole to be set in front of the fire,
and can be used for baking bread, apple cake, etc.

The greatest test for the camper is the building of a fire in rainy
weather when leaves and twigs and wood are far from dry. It can be done
and the greatest joy derived in the doing. Choose an old log which is
not water-soaked. Split it with an axe; split one-half of it again. With
a sharp knife make a little pile of shavings whittled from the heart of
the log. Put them in the center of the log cabin formation. Light them
from underneath (which is the