A Compendium of Useful Information for the Practical Man/Boots and Shoes

Blacking, Recipe for

Three gills of vinegar, 4 oz. of ivory black, l oz. of oil of vitriol, l oz. of sperm oil, two table-spoonfuls of treacle, two table-spoonfuls of sugar. Put the oil, ivory black, treacle, and sugar into a bowl together, stir them up well, then add the vinegar. Let it remain two or three days before adding the vitriol; then bottle it, taking care to have the corks well resined. It is best to keep it six months, but it may be used directly.

The country house, a collection of useful information and recipes, ed. by I ... By Country house

Water Soaked Boots or Shoes, Drying

When the boots or shoes become water-soaked, it is a splendid plan to fill them full of oats or barley, if at hand. The grain rapidly absorbs the moisture and, in expanding, prevents the boot or shoe from shrinking.

Mountain scouting: a handbook for officers and soldiers on the frontiers ... By Edward Samuel Farrow