chapman's patent shaft fasten. 391 



79,) about 1 inch square, grooved on one side, and intended 

 to be placed between the end of the shaft-iron, and the back 

 part of the clip which is on the axle. The shaft is then 

 forced back into its place and the bolt inserted. The con- 

 stant pressure prevents all rattling of the jack-bolt, and, 

 even if the nut should be lost off, which is unlikely, the 

 bolt cannot rattle or slip out. It can be applied to car- 

 riages of the ordinary construction after they are worn ?o 

 as to become loose. 



For Coaches. — The body frame work should be made 

 of soft western ash ; the top ribs of hickory, ash, or maple ; 

 the panels of white wood ; and the roof of pine- wood deal. 

 The ribs should be of ash, maple or cherry, and the 

 frame of ash : hickory rots if much wet. The roof should 

 be covered with canvas, or, which is better, with ordi- 

 nary bed-ticking of the best qualit}^. Before this is put 

 on, the roof should receive a coat of pure white lead, 

 and the canvas then stretched tightly over it and tacked 

 fast. It should on no account be sized, (as was formerly 

 the custom,) but should be heavily painted with pure 

 lead and oil. 



For Tops, Falls, etc., enamelled leather is now almost 

 universally used, and, though less durable than the old 

 fashioned " oiled top-leather," it looks better, being black 

 and brilliant, and is not so apt to shrink. It works 

 smoother and better than oiled leather. It is sometimes, 

 however, badly enamelled, and then is apt to crack and 

 scale off — especially if moved or rolled up in very cold 

 weather. It will then crack beyond restoration and will 

 look badh^ Enamelled leather, which has been tanned 

 with hemlock, is apt to stain the lining of the top, or 

 fall when it gets very wet : the best quality is tanned 



