First of all there is the rifle, the soldier's best friend. It should be cherished and cared for as though his life depended on it--as it frequently may. We used to inspect the rifles of the men at least twice a day in the trenches, and any sign of neglect was at once dealt with. It must be kept free from all rust and dirt, well oiled and polished, and with every part of the mechanism in first class working condition. Any text book on musketry will give the information necessary for the effective care of the rifle. We found that the breech of the rifle was often in danger of becoming fouled through mud or sand. Accordingly we advised the men to keep that part covered whenever the rifle was not in action. Small khaki cloths with snap buttons were made, but where these were not obtainable, the leg of a sock served quite as well. But it must be easily removable. Rifles are sometimes fouled through putting into them cartridges that are rusty or muddy. All cartridges should be cleaned before being inserted. Now it is obvious that time cannot be taken for this task during an engagement, and so it must be done before the rifle is to be used. As the cartridges come from the factory they are perfectly clean; but if they are carried about for days and weeks in the carriers on the equipment they get very dirty. Officers must inspect them from time to time and see that damaged ones are sent away and not allowed to be fired through the rifles. No care can be too great. It is a pitiful sight to see a man in action with a rifle that has become clogged through carelessness. It is a good thing to give rewards for those who consistently present clean rifles for inspection, and to punish those who do not. When a man realises how much he is dependent on his rifle he will be certain to take care of it. The next thing is the bayonet. I have said that all infantry work leads up to the use of the bayonet, and so, if a man is to be ready for this final test, his bayonet must be in good shape. Of course there is not much to get out of order, but there are a few movable parts that must be kept oiled, and the blade itself which must be kept clean. It is a slight courtesy that you can pay your enemy, that you give him clean, instead of rusty, steel. Another weapon that has proved itself indispensable in this war is the entrenching tool. It is a small instrument with a detachable handle, and the head itself has a shovel at one end and a pick at the other. It is a wonderful little tool for hasty entrenching and no attack should be made without it. It has been the means of saving many, many lives in this war.