54 THE HORSE 



removed from the under-carriage and head, a hose 

 being very useful for effecting this object in the first 

 place, as even the application of a soft leather is apt 

 to scratch the paint if the mud is gritty. The leather 

 head of the vehicle should be carefully dried with 

 cloths before putting the carriage away, and of 

 course the lining and cushions should be carefully 

 brushed, and the steps blackened so that all may be 

 ready if there is a sudden call. 



If mud is left to dry on there is always more 

 trouble to remove it than if it was washed off at 

 once, and every coachman will admit that there is 

 less injury to the woodwork if this plan is followed. 



Few things are more injurious to a carriage than 

 exposing it to the aroma of the stable, and therefore 

 the coach-house should be an isolated building, 

 communicating with the harness-room by a door. 

 As there is usually a stove burning in the latter apart- 

 ment in well regulated establishments^ the warmth 

 of the harness-room will extend to the coach-house 

 in wintry weather; the door of communication is 

 left open, and so both the carriages and harness 

 will remain in good condition. 



As regards the treatment of the iron-work of the 

 under carriage, every care must of course be taken 

 to see that it is put away dry, and that it is not 

 allowed to suffer from the want of a sufficient supply 

 of lubricating appliances. One of the best things 

 for these parts of a vehicle is ordinary castor oil, 

 which can be applied with a feather, a great advan- 

 tage of the castor oil being that, whilst it ensures 

 smoothness in working, it does not clog as does 

 grease. 



