368 CLEANING GEAR, CARRIAGES, ETC. 



carriage, and in that respect it is useful for two-wheeled 

 traps, the shafts of which can be tilted up. Cotton mops are 

 preferable to woollen mops, because they are not so apt to 

 leave particles of their substance on the carriage. 



When the carriage has been cleaned and put away, it 

 should be covered over with a specially made cotton cover, 

 or with sheets, so as to preserve it from dust and damp. If 

 a carriage is not in use, it should be sponged and leathered 

 over at least once a month. 



It is a good plan to send the carriage once a month to a 

 coach-builder, who will see that the axles are greased, the 

 washers all right, and everything in order. If this is not done, 

 the coachman or groom will have to look after these details 

 himself. Castor oil may be used for the axles. 



BLACKING BOOTS. 



Boots, especially top-boots, to look well, to be easily cleaned 

 and to wear long, should be put on trees immediately after 

 use. The surface should then be cleaned with a hard brush, 

 and if necessary with a sponge or water-brush and a little 

 warm water. When thus made wet, or if they are already 

 damp, the boots should be put away on their trees to dry ; 

 because it will be impossible to polish them as long as they 

 are in a moist condition. When all dirt has been removed 

 and the boots are dry, a coating of blacking as thin as possible 

 should be applied, and the boots polished while the blacking 

 on them is still damp. Boots that are in use should be boned 

 at least once a week, and if possible immediately they are 

 taken off the feet ; because at that time the leather is soft 

 and pliable by reason of the heat and warmth of the feet. 

 Bottle blacking is better than cake blacking ; because it can 

 be put on thinner and more evenly. When cake blacking is 

 used, boots as a rule will require to be frequently washed ; 

 because, in this case, the blacking will be apt to cake in 



