5)4 



SADDLERY AND HARNESS. 



duced ; all suppleness is destroyed ; a disposition to crack is engendered ; 

 while the plated ornaments speedily become tarnished. 



The proper method of cleaning is, to employ as little water as possible. 

 A moist sponge, well soaped, may, when very much soil exists, be 

 quickly passed over the surface, but each part should, without loss of 

 time, be immediately dried after the dirt is removed. All the mud 

 having been thus obliterated, the several pieces should be most carefully 

 gone over again with a dry cloth, so as to absorb any possible moisture 

 which, during the first cleansing, may have escaped notice. In fine or 

 during dusty weather, no fluid is necessary, nor should the employment 

 of any be suffered. A pail of water will, doubtlessly, save labor ; but 

 the servant's leisure, which is thereby secured, is a severe burden upon 

 the master's income. A good brush, not too hard, but one having 

 springy hair, will soon remove all dry impurities ; and with that the 

 harness, when not made moist by the road or rendered wet by exuda- 

 tion from the animal's body, should always be cleansed. 



A FULL SUIT OF OARRIAQB HARNESS. 



This being done, apply Harris's jet-black oil, but not thickly ; enough 

 has been laid on so that the application lies upon every portion of the 

 surface. No long time need be allowed for the oil to dry in ; but the 

 •first piece is generally ready to receive the next application by the time 



