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.

[http://books.google.com/books?pg=PA20&dq=%22useful+information%22&id=xTYCAAAAQAAJ#v=onepage&q=&f=false 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.

[http://books.google.com/books?pg=PA62&dq=%22useful+information%22&id=55pDAAAAIAAJ#v=onepage&q=%22useful%20information%22&f=false Mountain scouting: a handbook for officers and soldiers on the frontiers ... By Edward Samuel Farrow]