The Democratic advocate., 1885-03-21
Ghe 6arnrer.
Care Of Harness.


John n. .Stahl IN the Maryland Farmer.
I have demonstrated to my own satisfac-
ton that by proper care the period of wear
of harness can be trcbled, having kept a
set in hard use for twenty years-three
times as long as some of my neighbors can
use a set. And the care required is not
great, while the saving in repairE almost
compensates for it.
In the care Of harness the most import
ant item is oiling, and this amounts to half
a day Of labor twice per year. The har-
ness frequently becomes wet with rain or
snow. and the sweat of the horses especially
insinuates itself into the pores Of the leath-
er: and with this moisture is carried into
the pores the dust in the air and the yet
finer dust from the bodies Of the animals;
the result being to destroy the pliability OF
the leather and to cause it to crack or break
away from the sewing when subjected to
the movements incident to use; and the
moisture in the pores producing the further
effect of rotting the leather. Hence the
Importance of excluding moisture and dust
from the pores of the leather; and no better
way to do this can be devised than to fill
the pores with oil, as it not only excludes
Objectionable matters, but increases Of itself
the pliability and durability of the leather.
There is, Of course, a proper way to oil
harness. Before the oil is applied all dirt
must be removed from the leather. The
best plan to pursue is to take the harness
in pieces; that is, loosen all the buckles
Then where the dirt and sweat have collec-
ted, generally about buckles and laps, scrape
it off with dull knife, after which wash
the leather clean on both sides, using rag
or sponge and luke-warm water. While
the leather is yet damp apply the oil. Use
pure neats-foot oil, with little castor oil
added to prevent the mice from gnawing
the harness. 1t is not an easy matter to
get pure meats foot oil, as it is often adul-
terated The safe plan is to go to some
reliable dealer for it, and do not grumble
if he asks good price. The oil should be
warm enough to spread rapidly (about luke
warm) when applied. Pour it in dish
and apply with woolen rag or sponge.
Give both sides of the leather good coat
ing, then hang the straps in some airy,
warm place, but where the sun will not
shine upon them, and let them so remain
for twenty-four hours; at the end Of which
time wipe off all that may be upon the
surface and buckle the straps together.
This work should be done in the very early
spring that the harness may be used some
days before it is taken to the plough-feld.
Next to oiling the most important point
in the care of harness is to make repairs as
soon as needed A stitch in time saves
nine and that stitch can be more easily put
in than any of the nine stitches. As soon
as the splice in a strap begins to start, sew
the ripped place. Or in place Of stitches,
use small copper riyets, which can be pro-
cured in almost any hardware store. /
find that these riyets hold the straps to-
gether fully as well as sewing and it is the
work Of less than a minute to put one in
place. Longer rivets are better than sew
ing to hold the parts of tugs together when
they once begin to part. Every farmer
should provide himself with an assortment
Of these riyets, thread, wax, needles and
straight awl for sewing, and thong of
oiled leather or buckskin from which to cut
strings for coarse sewing or to bind parts
together. The cost of the entire outfit will
not reach dollar, and by using it prompt
ly repairs can be reduced to the minimum
and the wear of the harness be greatly in
creased.
Allowing the harness to hang in the
stables when not in use is wasteful prac
tice, as the dampness and foul gases are
very destructive of it. It is always better
to hang it in the graneFy, or at least in
some part of the ba2n away from the stalls
and manure pile Should you get caught
in shower with the team, do not remove
the harness as soon as the horses are got in
the stables, but allow the leather to dry on
the animals; if removed and hung up while
wet, the straps will dry and harden in
cramped-up position and the texture of the
leather be strained when next the harness
is used.