The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1886-12-06
THE Farm AND GARDEN.
Around the Barn.

In hitching horses in stalls give rope
enough only to allow the animal to get
his nose down to the floor, or very near
there. Better still-a plan adopted by
many-attach weight to the inner end
of the hitching strap, giving the latter
free and easy play over roller or smooth
substance. The weight should be sutti-
ciently heavy to insure that no slack oc-
cur in the hitching strap, which should
have no more weight than needed. Colts
or horses that have been entangled IN the
stall in the manner referred to are very
likely, later on, to struggle tiercely, II,
through any mishap, they have troucle
while in harness. Hired men and boys
very seldom have any system in hitchlng,
but the sliding strap is q reliable system
within itself, and, like rubber band,
never slips.
Leather of all kinds is best preserved
by filling its pores with oil of some kind.
Neatsfoot oil, obtained from the feet OF
cattle, is regarded as best for the pur-
pose; but castor oil, the same as that en-
ployed incidentally, has been found of
great value in softening leather. The
usual method is to take tho harnes, apart,
wash it with soap and water, allow it to
partly dry. and then oil and put the parts
together. 1t is regarded as better way
to first oil the harness throughout with
castor oil and lamp-black warmed, so
that it will penetrate the leather readily.
Then 90 over the parts of the harness
with sponge dipped in warm soap -suds,
which will remove all the dirt. When
dry, 90 over the whole with mixture of
equal parts of neatsfoot oil and tallow,
melted together, with enough lamp black
or powdered Prussian blue to give sutfi-
cient color. Apply this in small quanti-
ties, we'll rubbed in, to leave q smooth,
clean surfa; e.
Horses get some rest standing, pro.
vided the position be reasonably easy,
but no full rest except recumbent. 1t is
known of some horses that they never lie
down in stall, though if kept in pasture
they take their rest habitually in a re
cumbent position. 1t is we'll to con-
slider whether this habit has not been
forced upon the horse by some circum-
stance connected with the stall he was
made. to occupy, in that it had a muddy
dirt floor, or one made of dilapidatcd
plank, uncomfortable and offensive to
the horse that has been accustomed to
select his own bed in the pasture lot. If
the horse can have the privilege of Sc
lecting his own position for resting in
the stan ling position, he can sleep
standing; but while his muscles may be
to a degree relaxed, and get rest in this
position, what can we say OF the bear
ings at the joints? Without relief
through the recumbent post on the joint
surfaces are forced to bear weight vary
ing from 1000 to 1,SOO pounds continu-
ously. This must act unfarorablv,
especially upon the complicated struc-
lures within the hoofs, which natu in
tended should have periods of rest each
day. It will be we'll before the horses
and cattle are put up for the coming win
ter to settle the question of comfort by
repairing the floors and providing
abundant bedding.
When at the end of their season of
work farm machines are stored away
until again required for use, their driving
bands and belts should be thoroughly i'm
pregnated with castor oil This will
keep the leather soft and flexible and
ready for use. The bands and belts
should be removed from the machines
and stored in tight box, which will
keep them from the dust. and also protect
them from rats, which are often very de-
:structive to leather, especially if it has
been well oiled.-Ne,c York. Observer.