ooting, good splinters of dry wood
will be found. In every laurel thicket there is plenty of dead laurel,
and, since it is of sprangling growth, most of the branches will be
free from the ground and snap-dry. They ignite readily and give out
intense heat.

"The bark of all species of birch, but of paper birch especially, is
excellent for kindling and for torches. It is full of resinous oil,
blazes up at once, will burn in any wind, and wet sticks can be ignited
with it.

"_Making Fire in the Wet_--It is a good test of one's resourcefulness to
make a fire out of doors in rainy weather. The best way to go about it
depends upon local conditions. If fat pine can be found, the trick is
easy; just split it up, and start your fire under a big fallen log. Dry
fuel and a place to build a fire can often be found under big up-tilted
logs, shelving rocks, and similar natural shelters, or in the core of an
old stump. In default of these, look for a dead softwood tree that leans
to the south. The wood and bark on the under side will be dry; chop some
off, split it fine, and build your fire under the shelter of the trunk.

"_Lighting a Match_--When there is nothing dry to strike it on, jerk the
tip of the match forward against your teeth.

"To light a match in the wind, _face_ the wind. Cup your hands, with
their backs toward the wind, and hold the match with its head pointing
toward the rear of the cup; _i. e._, toward the wind. Remove the right
hand just long enough to strike the match on something very close by;
then instantly resume the former position. The flame will run up the
match stick, instead of being blown away from it, and so will have
something to feed on.

"_Fire Regulations_--On state lands and on national forest reserves it
is forbidden to use any but fallen timber for firewood. Different states
have various other restrictions, some, I believe, not permitting
trampers to light a fire in the woods at all unless accompanied by a
registered guide.

"In New York the regulations prescribe that fires will be permitted for
the purposes of cooking, warmth and insect smudges; but before such
fires are kindled sufficient space around the spot where the fire is to
be lighted must be cleared from all combustible material; and before the
place is abandoned fires so lighted must be thoroughly quenched.

"In Pennsylvania forest reserves no fire may be made except in a hole or
pit one foot deep, the pit being encircled by the