CHAPTER XX. 



HARNESS, 



Horse collars. Harness saddles. Harness bridles. Covered buckles. Baggage straps. Elastic 

 straps. Collar pads. Traces. Reins. 



The writer first attempted to manufacture gum-elastic harness 

 from coated canvas, in 1843, for which, together with buckles 

 and other gum-elastic articles, a gold medal was awarded at the 

 fair of the American Institute, in 1844. Subsequently, much 

 difficulty was met w^ith in the attempts to manufacture harness, 

 in consequence of the want of a canvas strong enor.gh for the 

 purpose, and the buckle holes tearing out. These obstacles 

 being now removed by the inventions hereafter described in this 

 work, it is rendered certain that some parts, at least, if not the 

 whole harness, can be made of gum-elastic fabrics with economy 

 and advantage. As different parts of the harness are made of 

 different materials, with advantages peculiar to each, they are, 

 therefore, separately described in this chapter. 



When complete sets of harness are made, it is necessary that 

 they should be made up at the India rubber factories, in order 

 that the stays or eyes may be cemented in for the buckle holes, 

 and that the caoutchouc whalebone ivory and enamel may be 

 joined to such parts as require it, while the materials are in a 

 soft state, and being manufactured. 



The improvements alluded to, by which the difficulties are 

 removed in the manufacture of harness, are, caoutchouc harness 

 leather, and the method of staying the buckle holes, briefly 

 described at the end of this chapter ; and caoutchouc whalebone 

 and the semi-hard or non-abrasive compound, described Vol. I., 

 Chapter II. 



