

228 GOODYEAR ON GUM-ELASTIC. 



HORSE-COLLARS. 



Attempts were formerly made, both in England and the 

 United States, to manufacture horse-collars of native gum-elastic, 

 to be inflated with air ; but these attempts were not successful. 

 The writer, also, made specimens of vulcanized horse-collars, 

 both inflated with air and stuffed in the usual manner, in 1843. 



The chief objection to these articles, at that time, was that of 

 galling and sweating the horse. 



The kind of collar to which these fabrics are best adapted, is 

 one recently invented, as represented plate , fig. , it is 



made by a combination of gum-elastic sponge and whalebone, 

 formed in moulds. Perforations are made through the pad oi 

 the collar to admit the free circulation of air ; that part of it 

 which comes next the horse may be lined with woolen or 

 leather, after the collar is finished, to prevent the gum from gall- 

 ing the horse. 



HARNESS SADDLES. 



The trees and skirts of these saddles are made of caoutchouc 

 whalebone. The hooks and turrets are plated with caoutchouc 

 enamel. The pads are made either of perforated gum-elastic 

 sponge or of the quilted caoutchouc fabrics. See plate , 

 fie. 



HARNESS BRIDLES. 



The blinders of gum-elastic harness bridles are made of caout- 

 chouc whalebone, the bits and buckles are plated with caout- 

 chouc enamel, and the reins are made of caoutchouc harness 

 leather; a part of the check-rein being made of elastic com- 

 pound. See plate , fig. 



