128 CENTAun; 



If ornaments or plates are desired, the smaller they are 

 the more neat and tasteful they will appear, besides being 

 lighter for the horse to carry. 



Double girths are at all times necessary, and should not bo 

 supplied less than IJ inch wide for an average sized horse. 



It is important that the belly-band should be the same 

 strength as the breech-band, and that all the ironwork 

 throughout the set be perfectly sound, well made, and 

 of best material. 



The foregoing rule as to substance and workmanship 

 applies particularly to cart, farm, pit, and boat gears, the 

 making or repairing of which should not be done " slop," or 

 in a careless and common way, for the sake of price or other 

 ulterior motives, but in the best and most efficient manner 

 possible, as this class of harness is constantly exposed to the 

 roughest possible wear and tear in all weathers and almost 

 all atmospheres, and is generallj^ worn by strong and well 

 corned animals. 



If it is the farmer's rule to have his gears repaired at the 

 farm, say once a year, none but good, practical, and sober 

 workmen should represent the saddler. More mischief has 

 been caused to the horse's back and the good name of the 

 tradesman through complaints, justified too frequently by 

 the carelessness of some journeyman, than is pleasant to 

 either the customer or the trade. Frequently the man has 

 been dissatisfied with the food, and the quantity or quality 

 of beer supplied him, or complaints are made by the farmer 

 of his horses being injured through bad workmanship ; and 

 no wonder, for cases have occurred in which the hand-iron 

 or other tools have been stufi'ed with the wool into the 

 lining by the thoughtless workman. If it is mutually 

 understood that food and refreshments shall be supplied 

 by the farmer, the quality should by all means be good, 

 and the quantitj^ of the latter reg:ulated according to the 

 ability or disposition of the workman and the hours of 

 labour. This alone will command a fair day's work, reason- 

 able charges, and no complaints or dissatisfaction on either 

 side. 



Pit Gears require an equal amount of care in making and 

 repairing, and a careful selection of material at all times. 

 The argument that the work is " going under ground " 



