CARE OF CARRIAGES 



Drag^ Gig, Governess Car, Jaunting Car, Landau, Lorry or 

 Lurry, Mail Phaeton^ Ralli Car, Road Waggon^ Sleigh, 

 Sulky, Victoria, Wagonette. 



Carriages, Care of. — Carriages should be kept in a 

 fairly warm coach-house, for which reason there should be 

 means of heating them in very cold weather. The place 

 should be lighted by a small window, so placed that the sun 

 cannot beat upon the vehicles, and the latter ought always 

 to be kept covered all over by a calico or other sheet when 

 not in use. The cushions should be brushed and placed 

 inside, and the sooner the carriages are washed after coming 

 in the better, as it is easier and less likely to injure the varnish 

 on the panels and the leather-work if the mud is removed 

 before it cakes on. Outside the coach-house there should 

 be a paved space, sufficiently large to allow the carriage to 

 stand on it with a few extra feet all round ; this pavement 

 ought to slope very gently towards a drain, so that the 

 water can run off quickly. There should also be a tap for 

 filling the pails and another for connection with the hose, 

 which ought to be used in washing carriages. After the 

 hose has been allowed to play upon the outside and under 

 the carriage, all mud and dirt should be carefully sponged off 

 and the parts dried with cloths and leathers. When the 

 wheels are washed it is necessary to raise them by means 

 of a raiser or setter placed under the axle, so that they 

 will spin round. The use of the spoke brush is not recom- 

 mended, though all servants like to do so as it saves them 

 time and trouble, but if used carelessly the hard back of 

 the brush is liable to injure the paint and varnish, so a 

 large sponge and plenty of water are better for the purpose. 

 When thoroughly dried the carriage should be taken back 

 to the coach-house at once, in order to avoid its getting 

 dusty, and if it possesses a hood, as in the case of a Victoria, 

 the latter should always be put up, as the leather is apt 

 to crack if it is left down too long. (See Coach - house. 

 Setter.) 



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