526 METAL MOUNTS. 



rubbed on, both the girth and clay being dampened. The 

 girths should then be dried in the sun or before the fire, and 

 all pipe clay removed from the leather parts. When the 

 girths become muddy it will be necessary to scrub them 

 with soap and water, using a stiff-bristled water brush. As 

 soon as the saddles have been cleaned they should be placed 

 on the racks and protected from the dust with linen covers. 

 From time to time the buckle of the stirrup-leathers should 

 be cut off and the strap shortened an inch or two before 

 the buckles are replaced. The points at which the spring 

 bar and stirrup come in contact with the leather are thus 

 relieved before they become dangerously weak. 



METAL MOUNTS. 



For all harness mounts, whether of silver, plate or brass, 

 plate powder should be used in cleaning. In polishing brass 

 furniture a woollen cloth should be dampened with kerosene 

 and then dipped in the plate powder. All liquid polishes 

 should be avoided, as they contain acids which are injurious 

 to the leather. From time to time it will be necessary to 

 wash the monograms, crests or similar mounts with warm 

 water and a brush. When polishing or washing these metal 

 parts a guard of leather or brass with an opening just large 

 enough to expose the mount should be used. The powder 

 should be applied with a damp cloth, and when dry the 

 metal should be polished with a crest brush. There is no 

 excuse for the presence of dirt or plate powder about the 

 edges and in the interstices. If properly treated the leather 

 parts, under the mounts, should be free from any foreign 

 substance. Carelessness is also shown by the corners and 

 backs of buckles being smeared with "compo." 



