CH. XII 



PUTTING-TO 



251 



Fig. 125. 



about an inch, which is as nearly as possible the 

 difference required. It is still better to have move- 

 able swingle-trees (see page 23). The leaders' 

 traces are all of the same length ; the lead-bars, 

 being moveable, adapt themselves to the position 

 of the collars. 



If chain-end traces are used, they must be put 

 on so that the chain passes from 

 the outside in, as shown in Fig 



125. 



After the traces are on the roller- 

 bolts, the hook of the pole-chain is 

 passed through the kidney-link ring, so as to bring 

 out the chain through the ring from the side next 

 to the pole, and hooked into such a link of the 

 chain, down near the pole-head, as will make the 

 chain the proper length (see Fig. 116). For very 

 good roads there should be two links to play, — 

 that is, the chain should be as tight as though it 

 had been pulled up as far as possible, and then two 

 links let out. It is better to have the chain too 

 loose than too tight. In hooking the chain, the 

 point of the pole should not be lifted, because this 

 will bring its weight on the horses' necks. For 

 inferior roads, the chains should be looser, as few 

 things distress horses more than being jerked about 

 by the coach, in consequence of poling up too 

 tightly, and it is a very common error. One ob- 

 jection to an evener in place of a stiff splinter-bar 

 is, that with an evener the guiding of the vehicle 



