The Farm.

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, Volume 1, Issue 25, 13 September 1901, Page 2

The Farm.

In order to properly chv.ss harness h whatever preparation is being

■d in cleaning it, the parts should be

well washed isi hike warni water, to which has been added a little potash or ammonia. After immersion >n this liquid, a scrubbing brush should be brought to bear on the parts, and they should be vigorously rubbed until all grease aud dirt have been lemoved When the oil or other dressing used is being applied, the parts should be well worked uuder tho hand until they become supple Codliver oil is highly spoken of as a dressing for harness ; it is claimed for it that ir, is much superior to neatsfoot oil, and some others which have hitherto been largely used for this purpose. Much of the lameness met with alnong" horses, is due to faulty shoeing. Of late years there has been a great improvement in the manner in whichj annuals are shod but, as a visit to any country smithy will disclose there is ytt much to be learned among horse-shoers regarding the proper treatment of the hoof in the preparation, for the irons. When a horse on.cc develops side-bones it can never "be paired; it has been well said ' once aside-bone, always a sidebone.' Badly fitting shoes are a common cause oi side-bones, and the horses most subject to th m are heavy animals with, upright pasterns; - ' A great waste of food frequently takesplace where horses are fnd with ' whole' oats—i c., with the grain in its natural condition. This is particularly so when the leeth of the animal are lefective and where the food as a result is not properly masticated. Young horses, when changing their teeth, ura particularly liable to waste food in this manner, g;id, so, too, are horses that are knov.n as 'bolters,' <n- greedy feeders. ITor.a'l animals of this description it pays well to crash or grind the oats before feeding. Some owixers oven go .-o far as to mix the oats with chopped hay ia order to secure its more effective mastication, and in the absence of a grain crusher is certrinly a very ex cellent method of preventing waste.