oof, otherwise the shanty
will not be square and shipshape when put up. Allowing for waste in
cutting, it takes nearly 3 yards of cloth for each side. The only labor
required in making, is to cut the sides to the proper shape and stitch
them to the roof. No buttons, strings, or loops. The cloth does not
even require hemming. It does, however, need a little waterproofing;
for which the following receipt will answer very well and add little or
nothing to the weight: To 10 quarts of water add 10 ounces of lime and
4 ounces of alum; let it stand until clear; fold the cloth snugly and
put it in another vessel, pour the solution on it, let it soak for 12
hours; then rinse in luke-warm rain water, stretch and dry in the sun
and the shanty-tent is ready for use.

To put it up properly, make a neat frame as follows: Two strong stakes
or posts for the front, driven firmly in the ground 4 feet apart; at a
distance of 6 feet 10 inches from these, drive two other posts--these
to be 4 feet apart--for back end of shanty. The front posts to be 4 1/2
feet high, the back rests only two feet. The former also to incline a
little toward each other above, so as to measure from outside of posts,
just 4 feet at top. This gives a little more width at front end of
shanty, adding space and warmth. No crotches are used in putting up the
shanty-tent. Each of the four posts is fitted on the top to receive a
flat-ended cross-pole and admit of nailing. When the posts are squarely
ranged and driven, select two straight, hardwood rods, 2 inches in
diameter and 7 feet in length--or a little more. Flatten the ends
carefully and truly, lay them alongside on top from post to post and
fasten them with a light nail at each end. Now, select two more
straight rods of the same size, but a little over 4 feet in length;
flatten the ends of these as you did the others, lay them crosswise
from side to side and lapping the ends of the other rods; fasten them
solidly by driving a sixpenny nail through the ends and into the posts
and you have a square frame 7x4 feet. But it is not yet complete. Three
light rods are needed for rafters. These are to be placed lengthwise of
the roof at equal distances apart and nailed or tied to keep them in
place. Then take two straight poles a little over 7 feet long and some
3 inches in diameter. These are to be accurately flattened at the ends
and nailed to the bottom of the posts, snug to the ground, on outside
of posts. A foot-log a