738 Reading-Course for Farmers. 



and crupper. It is not possible to prevent sore shoulders, sore back 

 and sore tail if these parts are permitted to become dirty, which they 

 will, because of the sweat and dandruff, unless they are carefully watched 

 and frequently cleaned. Much care should be taken to clean these 

 parts each morning before harnessing the horses or, better still, imme- 

 diately after removing the harness. 



Harness should be thoroughly cleaned and oiled at least once a year, 

 preferably in the spring. This will cause it to retain its fibre and to last 

 longer. While there are many wa5'-s of cleaning and oiling harness the 

 following is as simple and effective as any: Take the harness apart and 

 soak the parts in a wash-tub of luke-warm water containing a hand- 

 ful of washing soda. Let the harness soak for fifteen or twenty minutes, 

 then scrub the parts on a board with an ordinary scrub-brush. When 

 the leather is nearly dry blacken with edge blackening, which can 

 be obtained at any harness shop. Unless the harness is thus blackened 

 or lamp black put in the oil, it will turn red. When dry take a cotton 

 cloth and rub the harness thoroughly. Always rub straps with the 

 grain. This lays down the fibre and gives a smooth edge. Take a quart 

 of neatsfoot oil, add a small amount of kerosene, mix and warm, then 

 give the leather two coats, using the oil freely. Hang up to dry, taking 

 care not to hang in the sun. When the oil is well dried, sponge with 

 white castile soap and buckle the parts together. Harness treated in 

 this way will neither turn red nor become gummy, and if often sponged 

 with white castile soap can be kept looking like new. 



A number of oils may be used if neatsfoot oil is not at hand, such as 

 olive, codliver or castor oil, all of which are considered good for harness. 

 In case the edge blackening cannot be procured, put enough lamp black 

 in the oil at the time the kerosene is added to turn it black. The lamp- 

 black will prevent the leather from turning red. 



The leather 



There are many grades and brands of leather. When made into 

 harness and highly polished it requires experience to distinguish the 

 good from the bad. . One must rely largely on the reputation of the 

 store where he deals. Always choose good, plain harness, and when 

 once a satisfactory brand is found hold to it. 



It often happens that one wishes to do his own repair work, in which 

 case a knowledge of where the parts of the harness come from may be 

 of some advantage. In a given side of leather the quality varies greatly, 

 the back being considered the smoother and better, while the neck, 



