The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-12-18
AROUND THE BARN,

Useful Suggestions n.ch Should BE Given
Tr al by Those Interested.
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 sufficiently heavy to insure that no
slack OCCUR 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 fiercely, if, through any mis-
hap, they have trouble while in har-
ness. Hired men and boys very seldom
have any system in htching, but the
sliding strap is 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 purpose but castor oil. the
same as that employed incidentally,
has been found OF great value in soft
ening leather. The usual method is to
take the harness apart, wash it with
soap and water, allow it to partly dry,
and then oil and p 1t the parts together.
1t is regarded us Il better way to first
oil flINh han
Oil and lamp black warmed. so that it
will penetrate the leather readily.
Then go over the parts of the harness
with spong9 dipped in warm SOAP
suds. wnich will remove all the dirt
When dry. go over the whole with
mixture of lual parts of neatsfoot oil
and tallOw, m lted together, with
enough lamp-black or powdered Prus-
sian blue to give su flcient color. Ap.
ply this in small quantities, well rubbed
in, to leave smooth. clean surface.
Horses get some rest standing, pro.
vided the position be reasonably easy,
but no full rest except recumbent. IT
is known of some horses that they
never lie down in stall, though if
kept in pasture they take their rest
habltually in Il recumbent position.
1t is well to consider whether this habit
has not been forced upon the horse by
some circumstance connected with the
stall he WAS made to occupy, in that it
had mud ly dirt floor, or one made of
dilapidated plank, uncomfortable and
offensive to the horse that has been ac-
customed to select his own bed in the
pasture lot. If the horse can have the
priv lege of selecting his own position
for resting in the standing position, he
can sleep standing; but while his
muscles may be. to degree, relaxed.
and get rest in this position what can
we say OF the bearings at the Joints!
Without relief til on I'll the recumbent
position, the ioint-surfaces are forced
to bear weight. varying from one
thousand to one thousand eight hundred
pounds, continuously. This must act
unfavorably, especially upon the com
plicated structures W thin the hoofs.
which nature intended should have
periods of rest ea'h day. 1t will be
well, before the horses and cattle are
put up for the coming winter, to settle
the question of comfort by repairing
the floors and providing abundant bed
ding.
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 impregnated with castor
oil. This will keep the leather soft
and flexible and ready for use. Tho
bands and belts should be removed
from the machines and stored in tight
box, which will keep it from the dust.
and also protect it from rats, which
are often very destructive to leather,
especially il 1t has been well oiled. ~
y. ObserGer.