avery's own farrier. 125 



added to them, being classed as to their virtues in relax- 

 ing these muscles as they are set down, the last the best, 

 viz: the oil of cedar, skunk's oil, bear's oil, turtle's oil, 

 frog's oil. 



While using the above for sprung knees you should 

 also wash the joints with some astringent; a decoction of 

 the white oak and sweet apple tree bark is good for this 

 purpose. In recent injuries of this kind, a permanent cure 

 may be expected. 



To make a Star or Blaze. — If you should happen to 

 have a pair of horses that are w^ell matched, except that 

 one has a star or blaze in the face and the other not, it 

 would be very desirable, as well as important, to have 

 them look just alike in this respect, which can be accom- 

 plished in the following manner: Take a razor and shave 

 off the hair close about the form and size you want to 

 make white; then rub it over once, or twice may be 

 necessary, with oil of vitriol; after this the place will 

 become a little sore and inflamed, when the incrustation 

 should be removed, and the spot healed by washing the 

 sore with copperas water. When nearly healed up, rub 

 it over once with sweet oil, and the hair will grow out 

 white as you desire it. 



There is still another method by which the same ob- 

 ject may be accomplished, and by some may be preferred 

 to the above. Spread a plaster of hot pitch, the size 

 and shape you wish the star to be made, and lay it on 

 the place, letting it remain two or three days, or until it 

 brings the hair off with it, and leaves the spot a little 

 sore and tender. If this is not sufficiently deep and sore 

 enough, you can rub on a little vitriol. Then take a 



