Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-10-14
Hints on the Care of Carriages.

CARRIAGE HoUsE.-A dry, clean car
riage-hOuse, entirely separated from any
stable manure, should lie the first thing
attended to. A closet to keep the harness
free from dust and dirt should always be
found in a well-planned carriage-house.
A wheel.jack, buckets, sponges, chamois,
wrenches, cover, feather buster, axle
grease, ETC., should each have an appro-
pirate place.
The Washing.-When carriage has
been run in the summer season, use the
water freely, so as to remove the dust Oh
mud before using the sponge and chamois
skin. We have seen carriages ruined on
the exterior by scratches in the va~nish,
caused by carelessness or ignorance in
this particular. Mud should not be al
lowed to dry on the varnish if it can be
avoided. The English varnishes, with
which most carriages are finished, retain
their elasticity for great length of time,
and mud or filth of any kind drying on
them, fastens upon the body of the varnish
and the stains cannot be removed without
re-varnishing. IN the winter season it is
water freezes while being applied. Warm
water should never be used in winter
time, as it will be apt to remove the var
nish or cause 1t to crack and peel off.
| We have seen great deal of bad feeling,
and sometimes angry disputes, arise be-
| g., Al 6
a coach, growing out of thOughtlessness on
the part Of tho ooaohman, VINO mad allowed
water to freeze on the panels.
Greasing-For greasing the axle and
| fifth wheel use castor oil. 1t is not neces-
sarY to put on great deal. Frequent APP
plications and less in quantity should be
| the rule. For when there is an excess of
oil it oozes out and finds its way on to the
hub, and from the hub is thrown over the
wheels when the vehicle is in motion
| The grease is then liable to be taken up
on the sponge when washing, and also on
the channels, giving a vast amount of
trouble and vexation. The fifth wheel
should be looked after and not be allowed
to become entirely dry.
The Leather.-Enameled leather should
be kept soft and pliable with sweet or
sperm oil. 1t will only be necessary
while the leather is new to cleanse the top
and curtains from dirt, and rub them with
creased rag. When the leather shows
signs Of drawing up and becoming hard
and lifeless wash it with warm water and
CASTLE soap, and with stiff brush force
the oil into the leather until the grain is
filled.
Sponges and Chamois.-Two sponges
and chamois should be kept on hand
one of each for the body and gearing The
reason for this is, that after the carriage
has been used there is liability to get
grease on the sponge and chamois when
cleansing the wheels, and from axle bed.
Another reason of some Importance is,
the gearing soon destroys a sponge, and
makes it worthless for washing large
| panels.
Wrenches.-Besides the axle-wrench, a
monkey-wrench will be found ofgreat SER
vice in looking after the nuts at those
points where there is the greatest liability
to accidents. Hundreds of dollars have
been spent in repairs, limbs broken, and
even lives lost through neglect to inspect
the carriage before starting out.
The Cover-When the vehicle has been
washed and housed, it should be covered
with an enameled cloth cover, fitted to it
so as to keep it free from dust, inside and
out To preserve the wood and save ex-
pense, it should be re-painted or vanished
once year. There is no economy in saw
ing few dollars this year on your
carriage, and spending three times as
much the year Observation-Disclosures