CARE OF HARNESS.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 367, 11 May 1889, Page 8

CARE OF HARNESS.

Among the things that a very large propor" tion of the f aimers neglect is the harness thatisin eveiy day use on the farm. Not only is no effort nidde to preserve the leather, but it is very raie that any examination is made to see if any portion is likely to break ; so, as a rule, the fanner's attention is first called to examine worn harness by a break-down, perhaps when he is miles away from home. To prevent the leatlier of harness from drying up so as to ciack it should be occasionally rubbed with a rloth well saturated with oil. Itis notdesirableorbestto fill the leather too full of oil, for too much will weaken rather than strengthen the leather, especittlly that part of harness subjected to a continued strain. Harness needs washing quite as much as \t does oiling, for the dust that iseontir.ually settling uponitabsorbs theoil, and thus dries the leatherso that it will ctack, letting the water in eveiy time it is ont in the rain. Harness be frequently taken apart and washed, and when nearly dry thoroughly rubbed with a cloth that has been dipped in oil mixed with a \ery small quantity of lampblack. No inoie oil should he put on than will readily diy in, so that when rubber with a dry cloth the harness will be perfectly clean. Harness that is properly cared for will last twice ac long as that neglected. On the subject of "how to clean and oil harness," an American contemporaiy says : Take it to pieces wh<?3 ever it can be unbuckled ; give each strap a good wash, using lukewarm water with a little washing soda in it. Scrub well with a brush, and be sure you get all the dirt off. Work the strap in your hands till soft and pliant ; for it is of tio use to oil dry, horny leather. When this has been done, hang it in a room where there is noc too quick a diy. When about three-parts dry apply plentifully, on both sides, pure cod liver oil. This has the most lasting quality for any leather which haa been tanned with bark ; and no rats or mice will ever touch leather dressed with it. After giving v, good coat of oil hang the harness again to dry. Then go over it again; giving, however, a light coat this time. When it has dried in, wipe with a coarse, dry cloth, This is enough for common work harness ; but for carriage hurness go over with a sponge and Castile ! goap, finishing off with a dry chanris skin. |