The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-02-19
The Care orHaruesne..


There are many reasons why ha rnesses
should be used, as far as possible, only in dry
weather aud kept under cover during storms,
1t is bad for man to be out in storm, a
horse is uncomfortable when subjected to ex-
posure either to hard rains or SHOWS, aud is
often injured thereby. Vehicles of any and
every description are damaged by the swelling
and shrinking of the woodwork, and rusting
of the irons, which take place when they are
wet and dried, and, finally, the harness itself
receives certain degree of injury. Thus the
injury to the harness also includes, as nee
essity, an injury to the horse, driver and
vehicle. But the injury to itself is sufficient
reason why the harness should be kept out of
the wet. Either rain or snow will fill the
pores of the leather with moisture, and make
it stiff and unyielding The buckles will also
be rusted and the leather becoming hard will
begin to crack and will finally break. 1t is
very inconvenient using stiff, water-soaked
harness. About twice the time, and more
than double the labor will be required to get
team in readiness Tor work. when the har-
ness is stiff and hard which would be sufic-
lent if they were kept soft and pliable. A
harness which is frequently wet, and which
is neglected, will last but little, if any, more
than half as long as the same harness if it
were kept dry aud properly cared for
Yet, desirable as it is to keep harnesses dry
IL IS oflen necessary TO use them when theV
will get wet. This being the case every
farmer should know how to counterfeit, as
far as possible, the evil effects of the expos
ure. Two things which the average farmer
can readily do will be found very useful.
One is to keep the harness well oiled, and the
other is to keep them as clean as possible.
Fer oiling harnesses meats foot oil in which
little lampblack has been stirred is a good
material. There are prepared oils TO be OBJ
tanned at harness shops, which, in addition TO
lampblack contain waterproof material
which increases the value of the compound.
Whatever is used the harness should be TAX
en- apart, washed as often as possible, and the
material applied when the leather is partially
dried but while it Is still quite moist If the
harnesses are often exposed to rain or snow
they need frequent oiings-say three or four
a year. Sometimes, however a thorough
washing with CASTLE soap or with some good
soap made for that purpose, will answer in
stead OF an oiling. The parts which gather
the most dirt should be washed often and
soaped after they are thoroughly cleaned. If
harnesses are used but little and are seldom
wet, olling once year may be sufficient, if
the dirtiest parts are occasionally washed and
soaped. But if used much, or wet often,
more than this will be required.
1t is certainly an object for farmers to keep
their harnesses well oiled. They are not able
to sustain the loss which neglect of harnesses
involved. Times are hard and it is much
cheaper saving the old than buying and pay
ing Tor The new. Besides, it is neither wise
nor right to allow things to be damaged,
and finally spoiled, by neglect to take care of
them.-Dirigo RuraL.