132 SADDLERY. 



by stitches. As the edges of a cut in the leather-covering 

 of a panel cannot be easily brought together, without 

 leaving a ridge which might hurt the back, this method of 

 altering the stuffing is not practised with leather-covered 

 panels. In their case, the stuffing can be supplemented by 

 taking out the panel, nailing strips of felt to the under surface 

 of the tree, as may be required, and replacing it. 



The respective merits and disadvantages of serge and 

 leather as a lining for saddles, greatly depend, as we have seen, 

 on the particular circumstances of each case. I think serge is 



Fig. 133. Side View of Austrian Officer's Jointed Saddle Tree. 



the better of the two for a hunting saddle, when the services 

 of a good saddler can be obtained to re-stuff the saddle from 

 time to time, as for instance, before each hunting season. 



On account of its smoothness and consequent freedom from 

 friction, linen often acts well as a lining, when the horse's 

 coat has become a good deal worn under the saddle, which is 

 much more apt to take place with side saddles, than with 

 cross saddles. Owing to the closeness of its texture, it does 

 not readily admit of stuffing being regulated. 



The facility offered by the open texture of serge for regu- 

 lating the stuffing, combined with its high power of absorption, 

 is its great recommendation as a lining for saddles. 



