26 HORSE PACKING 



from any irregularities or knots or blemishes, and a 

 slow, even taper. 



Natural sprouts are generally most available where 

 pack transportation is needed and are ordinarily quite 

 as good if not superior to any fancy woods from the 

 shop. Also they are most easily renewed when neces- 

 sary and without delay. (For standard hickory ribs 

 made in shop see Hickory Ribs.) 



The willow is excellent and found in some vari- 

 ety almost everywhere. The gray, black, red, button, 

 and desert willows are the most suitable. Dogwood 

 and arrowwood are generally too short and irregular 

 but are good if the other conditions are met. The 

 guayaba (generally known in the United States as 

 "guava") of tropical countries has been found to fur- 

 nish excellent sticks for ribbing aparejos. But ash, 

 hickory or pecan sprouts have been found to give the 

 very best results when it is possible to secure them. 



Boot-sticks. — These boot-sticks are of a hard wood, 

 211/^ inches long, 21^^ inches wide, and 3/^ of an inch 

 thick. The ends must be rounded on one side. 



Ribbing the Aparejo. — The aparejo should be first 

 soaked in water for about a half an hour; if the water 

 is slightly warmed one-half that time will be sufficient 

 and then drained. 



The boot-sticks are then inserted so that the rounded 

 ends face the inside of the back piece of the aparejo. 

 Under no circumstances must a boot-stick be forced 

 into place for then as the leather dries the strain will 

 burst the stitching or rapidly wear a way through. 

 The boot-stick is introduced through the hand hole 

 and adjusted across the bottom of the boot, the flat 

 surface of the boot-stick to face the inside belly piece. 



Now introduce through the hand hole the largest 

 rib, butt end first, placing it in the forward corner of 

 the boot, the end of the stick resting against and over 

 the flattened surface of the boot- stick. The rib must 

 be of the right length and never too long or too short. 



It is best that the ribs be selected, or graded as 

 to diameter, in pairs so that the corresponding ribs 

 on each side of the aparejo are put in place practically 

 together. . , . 



Each rib should be measured for the position it is 



