e sand can be used to advantage in
cleaning the canteen.

Particular attention must be taken to see that canteens are properly
cleaned after they have been filled with coffee, milk or any other
fluid containing organic matter.

Being made of aluminum the canteen is easily dented, and care must be
taken to prevent this.

When not actually in use the canteen should habitually be emptied and
the cup left off to dry.

Intrenching Tools

=1312. Pick mattock.= If the blade of the mattock is deformed, it
should be straightened in a vise.

In the field, cracked handles of pick mattocks, shovels, and hand axes
should be wrapped with cord.

=1313. Shovel.= Do not use the side edges of the shovel blade as a
mattock, for this will deform the blade.

If the blade becomes bent, straighten it with a hammer on a block of
wood.

Keep your intrenching tool free from rust, being especially careful
that no rust gets into the sockets.

Leather Equipment

=1314. General.= Because of the value of leather equipment and its
rapid deterioration if neglected, the proper care of leather is most
important.

=1315. Materials.= Two agents are necessary to the proper cleaning of
leather,--a _cleaning agent_ and an _oiling agent_.

The _cleaning agent_ issued by the Ordnance Department is castile
soap; the _oiling agents_ are neat's-foot oil and harness soap.[16]

The soap cleans the surface of the leather, and removes from the
surface pores of the leather, dirt, sweat, and other foreign matter,
so that the oil can more readily penetrate the pores and saturate the
fibers, thus making the leather pliable and elastic.

=1316. Cleaning.= Daily, or as often as used, leather equipment should
be wiped off with a cloth slightly dampened in water, merely to remove
mud, dust or other foreign substances.

This daily care will do much to maintain the appearance of the
equipment, but it is, however, insufficient of itself to properly
preserve it.

Leather should never be cleaned by immersing in water or holding under
a hydrant.

At intervals of from one to four weeks, depending upon the
circumstances, it is essential that the equipment be thoroughly
cleaned in accordance with the following instructions:

(a) Separate all parts, unbuckle straps, remove all buckles, loops,
etc., where possible.

(b) Wipe off all surface dust and mud with a damp (not wet) sponge.
After rinsing out the sponge, a lather is made by moistening the
sponge