Saddletrees are made in three sizes, in the follo^^dng proportions: 



15 per cent with 11-inch seat. 

 50 per cent with 1 1 ^-inch seat. 

 35 per cent with 12-inch seat. 



The size of seat, 11,11^ and 12 inches, is the inside measurement, on 

 the bare tree, between the intersections of cantle and pommel with the 

 side bars. The actual measurements between these points is 0.17 

 inch larger than the above figures, to allow for the thickness of cover. 

 After the saddle is covered w^th rawhide and leather the position of 

 these points at intersection can not be accurately determined, but can 

 be measured with sufficient precision to definitely fix the size of the 

 saddle. 



The length of the side bars alone varies with the different sizes of 

 saddles, the other parts of the saddletree remaining the same for all 

 sizes. These side bars are turned in copying lathes which produce 

 duphcates of the forms used as guides; two forms, one right and one 

 left, being required for each size of saddle. After turning, the cen- 

 tering ends of the side bars are cut off and the bars placed in forms 

 which detect any defects in form due to W' arping or other causes, and 

 which also insure great exactness in the distance between the side bars 

 and the positions of cantle and pommel, these being fastened to the 

 side bars while the latter are firmly held in forms. A separate form is 

 used for each size of saddle, thus insuring exact uniformity in all 

 essential dimensions. 



The cantle and pommel irons are pressed to the shape required to fit 

 the angles between the side bars and the pieces which they support. 

 The principal surfaces of contact are near the tops of the cantle and 

 pommel, where they best sustain the strains. Both irons are cut 

 away toward the lower edges of the side bars so that they will not 

 interfere with the holes for lacing thongs described below. 



FINISHING AND COVERING THE SADDLETREE AFTER ASSEMBLING. 



The front and rear ends of the side bars are carefully finished and 

 shaped down by hand ; holes for lacing thongs are bored through the 

 bars along junctions of pommel and cantle, front and rear, and the 

 bars grooved underneath in line wdth these holes so that the thongs 

 used will not project below the under surface of the side bars. 



The tree is finished smooth and then coated by dipping into a 

 mixture of white lead in oil, which protects and preserves the wood. 

 It is then covered with hard raw^hide made from calfskin. This skin 

 is cut to shape under dies, is then soaked, and while wet, stretched and 

 secured in place with wet rawhide (hard cowliide) thongs passing 

 through the holes in front and rear of pommel and cantle. The top 

 and bottom covers are then trimmed down and d^a^^^l together with 



