THE CARE OF CARRIAGES. 513 



touched with a little Japan varnish or paint of the original 

 color. Any squeakiness of the springs may be remedied 

 by applying a little castor oil near the tips of the leaves. Car- 

 riao-es that are not in constant use should be taken out in 

 a shady place and aired once a week or oftener when the 

 atmosphere is dry. The curtains, hoods, aprons, etc., should 

 be exposed to the air and thoroughly sponged or dusted. 



During the winter or in long periods of bad weather the 

 upholstering should be protected from the ravages of moths, 

 etc., by placing camphor, cayenne pepper or phenic acid in 

 a saucer on the floor of the carriage, and the doors and win- 

 dows closed or a cover drawn closely about the vehicle. 

 Carriages with half heads are usually protected by a cover 

 extending from the head to the apron, in addition to the 

 ordinary covering. Even when there is a coach house 

 separated by tight doors and windows, it is advisable to 

 use linen coverings, as there is always more or less dust fly- 

 ing about, and during the summer season the carriages 

 should be protected as much as possible from becoming fly- 

 specked. If the stable is damp the carriages should be 

 taken out and aired occasionallv. For dustincr the bodv 

 of the carriages a duster of vulture feathers with soft tips 

 should be used, and discarded as soon as the ends become 

 broken. The old duster may be used on the under car- 

 riage and for rougher work. In winter the temperature of 

 the coach house should not be allowed to fall below sixty 

 degrees Fahrenheit, and on foggy or rainy days the room 

 should be artificially heated. The head servant should be 

 made to understand that in handling a carriage pole the 

 greatest care must be observed, as a crack or similar defect 

 is more than likely to result in a fatal accident. In descend- 



