170 THROUGH STABLE AND SADDLE-ROOM. 



I never allow the use of a spoke-brush on the 

 wheels of a carriage, and would, if I could, abandon 

 its use altogether ; but there are parts of the under- 

 carriage which cannot be well reached without its 

 use, and so I look upon it as a necessary evil. 



It is necessary to use what is termed a wheel- 

 set or wheel-lift for cleaning the wheels. This is 

 no more than a lever on a stand, which, being 

 placed under the end of the axle, lifts the wheel off 

 the ground, so as to allow of its being turned round 

 while being cleaned ; but the wheel should never 

 be so lifted one bit more than is absolutely necessary 

 to allow it to just clear the ground, otherwise the 

 carriage may be strained. 



A carriage - pole when not in use should, if 

 possible, be kept in an upright position, and a 

 rack should be provided for this purpose, in order 

 that it may not get 'set,' or bent out of shape ; for 

 too often poles are hung up on racks, and the 

 result is that they acquire a twist, and of course 

 are then more liable to break. 



The wheels of carriages which are much used 

 require to be kept constantly looked to and oiled, 

 and the ' washers,' as they are called, renewed as 

 often as they become worn. A few shillings thus 

 expended will often save several pounds. Every 

 carriage should have its wheels examined at least 



