Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-11-05
Hints ON the Care of Carriages.

Hints ON the Care OF CArr1agess
CARRIAGE HousE.-A dry, clean
carriage-house, entirely separated
from any stable manure, should be
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 APP
propriate place.
The Washing.-When u carriage
has been run in the summer season,
use the water freely, SO as to remove
the dust or mud before using the
sponge and chamois skin. We have
seen carriages ruined on the exterior
by scratches in the varnish, 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 finish
ed, retain their elasticity for a great
length of time, and mud or filth of
any kind drying on them, fastens on
the body of the varnish and the stains
cannot be removed without re-var-
nishing. In the winter season it is
not best to wash off the mud when
the water freezes while being applied.
Warm water should never be used in
winter time, as it will be apt to re-
move the varnish, or cause it to
crack and peel off. We have seen
great deal OF bad feeling, and
sometimes angry disputes, arise be-
tween the manufacturer and the own
er of coach, growing out OF thought
lessness on the part of the coachman
who had allowed water to freeze on
the panels.
Greasing.-For greasing the axle
and fifth wheel use castor oil. 1t is
not necessary to put on a great deal.
Frequent applications and less in
quantity should be the rule. For
when there is an excess of oil it oozes
out and finds it's 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 chamois, giving vast
amount of trouble and vexation. The
fifth wheel should be looked after
and not be allowed to become entire
ly 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 llfeless wash it with warm water
and CASTLE soap, and with stiff
brush force the oil into the leather
until the grain is filed.
Sponges and Chamois. - Two
sponges and channels 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 cleans
ing the wheels, and from axle bed
Another reason of some Importance
is, the gearing soon destroys sponge,
and makes it worthless for washing
large panels.
Wrenches. = Besides the axle
wrench, monkey-wrench will be
found Of great service in looking
after the nuts at those points where
there is the greatest liability to acct
dents. 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 rs to keep it free
from dust, inside and out. TO pre-
serve the wood and save expense, it
should be reprinted or vanished once
a year. There is no economy in say
ing y few dollars this year on your
carriage, and spending three times as
much the year following.-Loach
Makers Journal.