103 



THE FAMILY HORSE. 



for applying water. Neither soap nor warm water should be used 

 under any circumstances, as they are destructive to varnish. If 

 possible, all mud and dirt should be removed before the carriage is 

 put away after it is used, and none ever permitted to dry on. Clean 

 cold water is to be sprinkled on without rubbing, until all dirt runs 

 off with the water, and then the carriage is thoroughly dried with a 

 chamois skin wrung out of clean cold water. 



The spindles must be kept well oiled at all times, or the friction 

 will soon cut them and the boxes. As a lubricant for light carriages 

 nothing is better than castor-oil. The wheel is most conveniently 

 lifted from the ground by the lever of a wagon- jack placed under 

 the axle. There is an infinite variety of forms for this implement, 



Fig. 63.— REVERSIBLE WAGON-JACK. 



one of which is illustrated in figure 63. Its construction is so clearly 

 seen that no description is necessary. The wheel being taken off, 

 the spindle and box are wiped with a clean rag. If any gum has 

 accumulated, it may first be removed by kerosene, which is after- 

 wards wiped off. Then only as much castor-oil is applied to the 

 spindle as wiU remain ou. the upper part without running off. The 

 wheel and nut are then replaced, and the others treated in the same 

 way. Good leather washers should be kept on the axles at the collar 

 and nut, and renewed as often as necessary, to keep dirt out of the 

 box. Some hubs are fitted with metallic caps to protect the inside. 



All nuts and bolts should be tried frequently with a wrench, to 

 see that none are loose. 



A covering of cotton cloth, large enough to envelope the entire 

 vehicle from the hubs upward, should be kept on at all times when 

 the caiTiage is not in use. 



A coat of varnish, once every six months, will keep the carriage 

 bright, and save re-painting for several years. 



