THE CAKE OF THE HAENESS 463 



never in the sun or close to a stove, radiator or furnace ; never 

 use shoe polish to brighten the surface of harness ; store leather 

 in a cool, dry place where there is no artificial heat. 



To clean such equipment as bits and other metal parts of the 

 harness, no more force should be used than is necessary to 

 remove such dirt, etc., as may be collected. A piece of wood will 

 remove the softened dirt and mud, but no emery paper or other 

 abrasive should be used. There are many good polishing liquids! 

 on the market to brighten or polish buckles, etc. 



A harness repair outfit. — Although it is commonly considered 

 to be within the province of the saddlers, and consequently is 

 neglected by the farmer, there is no reason why the latter should 

 not make many of his o^\m repairs. There is, of course, such 

 rej)air work as stuffing the collar, etc., which requires a 

 trained man. 



The outfit. — Some of the following tools may not be absolutely 

 essential, but they comprise a fairly complete outfit : 



One pair clamps. One saddler's hammer. 



One pair pliers, Xo. 3. One edge tool, No. 2. 



One dozen awls, assorted. Two tongue pimches, Xos. 35 and 37. 



One dozen awl-handles. Four round punches, N"os. 3, 4, 5 and 6. 



One dozen awl-collar needles, assorted. One fine saddler's shoulder-crease. 



Two packets needles, Xos. 2 and 4. One single-hand crease. 



One saddler's compass. One saddler's palm. 



One round knife. 



Different materials which are required in renovating harness : 



Pitch, per pound. Bridle leather, per side. 



Resin. Harness leather, per pound. 



Wax. Collar-check, per yard. 



Best brown hemp, Xo. 2, per pound. Bro^^^l serge. 

 Tacks, per packet. 



A small leather apron about four by twelve inches, is required. 

 This is suspended from the waist and hangs over the right thigh. 

 A small S-hook, for holding the hemp whilst making the thread, 

 is also needed. Also a suitable bench should be provided and 

 placed where there is good light. 



Requirements of good stitching. — To obtain good stitching it 

 is necessary that : 



1. Thread of a kind and strength suited to the nature of the work be selected. 



2. The thread be smooth, well-twisted, and well-waxed. 



3. The stitches be all draA\ni equally tight, and made as firm as possible, without 



cutting the leather. 



4. The needles be used in the right way. 



