SADDLERY AND HARNESS. ''>05 



the last part has been properly finished. Then apply, a little of the 

 compo., which being polished to a lustrous black, the entire process is 

 perfected by a final wash of Harris's harness fluid. 



The appearance will be longer preserved when harness is cleaned aftei 

 the foregoing directions, while its lasting properties are not injured hy 

 the process. Instead of being deteriorated every time it is cleansed, the 

 leather is nourished, its strength and its aspect being renovated. The 

 plated ornaments, of course, are not alluded to in the above instructions ; 

 to polish these, some prepared chalk, fine brushes, finer than are generally 

 employed, and a wash leather are imperative. 



An inefficient groom is, perhaps, more readily detected by his manner 

 of cleaning harness than by any other stable operation. Practice alone 

 confers aptitude in handling the various pieces. Use enables the dif- 

 ferent articles to be rendered smart without staining the flesh or soiling 

 the dress of the operator. When the servant is new to the occupation, 

 particular portions are invariably scamped ; others get more than the 

 requisite attention. Certain of the ornaments are left with the crevices 

 full of powder, while some parts are wholly neglected ; but, above all, 

 the linings to the various pieces are always smeared and impressed with 

 dirty finger-marks. A good groom apparently will not trouble himself 

 to avoid such errors, but, when he has finished, each portion is equally 

 clean, while the insides are untainted and free from the smallest soil. 



The linings should be cleansed in the same manner as the other parts, 

 only the blacking and the polishing are unnecessary. In most situations, 

 leather is employed to cover the under surface ; where this substance is 

 present, no beating is then required. Where cloth is used, as in the 

 lining of a saddle pannel, this should be daily beaten with a small cane, 

 and subsequently brushed till all hairs and dust are removed. J'he bad 

 servant invariably strives to hide his laziness under a pretense of exces- 

 sive zeal for his master's interest. When ordered to attend to the lining 

 of his harness, he will endeavor to escape from the command by pleading 

 the wear which attends the constant friction occasioned by continual 

 beating and by perpetual brushing. 



A collar placed on the horse should be firm, falling easily into its 

 proper situation. It is stuffed with straw or flock, and is lined with 

 leather. That the lining may not be stretched and that the stuffing may 

 not be hardened in parts but may feel equally firm upon every portion of 

 its inner surface, the article should never be used when moist, even in the 

 remotest degree. When removed in a wet state, it should be dried 

 either in the sun or before the kitchen fire, prior to again being taken 

 into service. When doing this, of course the nature of the material 

 should be considered ; it should only be exposed to such a heat as will 



