The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1890-11-27
Andersus4 gntttttge,tter,
Boots and Shoes.

There is much complaint that boots
and shoes wear out rapidly-that they
are not nearly so durable as they were
thirty years ago. undoubtly much i'm
properly tanned leather Is used, and ma
chine manufacture is not as good rs the
old hand making. But the trouble is
more 10 the lessened care We give our
boots aud shoes. When they cost more
we are more careful of them. The fall
season is hard time on boots and shoes.
They are wet by the cold dew in the
morning, and then coated with the earth
fresh from the plough during the day.
This hardens the leather, destroying its
elasticity, and it breaks Hauling he
damp manure from the compost heap
also exposes the slices 10 hardening in
Aucnces. The r-m'dy is oil Thi. fills
The pores of the leather. excluding mois
ture aud earth The reward of oiling
is not only increased wear, but increased
ease also A good application is one
part of beef tallow to two Of neals foot
OIL Warm and mix thoroughly. Much
that is sold as neat's-foot oil is not this
oil. Buy only of responsible dealer,
and be prepared to pay good price.
The efficacy of oiling depends much
upon the manner. The leather must be
clean. scrape and brush it we'll, and
then wash it with wet cloth. Apply
the oil before the leather becomes dry.
If the soles are pegged on, be careful to
get the oil we'll into the crevice between
The soles and uppers. The oil will pre-
vent the pegs from absorbing moisture
and then shrinking, allowing the uppers
to pull loose and it is those parts of the
uppers which are fastened to the sole that
are most often damp and will soonest rot
and break unless oiled But if the soes
are sewed on, apply oil lightly to the
sewed portions. The thread is not bene-
fitted by OIL For farm wear pegged on
soles are the best. Apply the oil warm,
but not so warm as to be uncomfortable
TO the hand. 1t is we'll to expose the
leather to gentle heat; but depend on
rubbing, not on heat to get oil into the
pores of hot leather. By rubbing the
leather we'll you not only fill the pores,
but to certain extent close their OPEN
ings.
Farmers usually select shoes or boots
made of leather that ia too coarse. Cow.
hide does not make the most durable
boot or shoe for farm wear. It will crack
aud break sooner than a lighter, more
pliable leather would wear through; and
the latter will be easier and lighter-a
matter of no small moment to the man
who must walk as much as the farmer.
The most durable shoe or boot for farm
wear is made of heavy calf skin leather
If properly oiled it will not crack or
break. Paste ia used to hide poor leath-
er; leather that has large open pores
does not wear we'll, and is poor protec.
tion from vet or cold. Paste closes these
open pores aud gives the surface nice
polish. Leather covered with paste had
better be passed by; so, too, leather that
stretches easily. The more compact and
close leather is the better it is for foot,
boo. or shoe. The surface of such leath.
er is always smooth, not rough and chat.
ed; and such leather keeps the feet dry
and warm. Poor stock is usually set off
with fancy leather and gew gaws, to take
attention from the bad quality of the
main stuff a plain unpublished shoe or
boot is 80 because it h9s real merit enough
to sell it readily.
Shoes, being lighter than boots, are
preferable for plowing and for summer
wear, when they are go made IS to ex.
clude the dirt. have yet to see buck.
led shoe that would keep out the dirt,
that was easy on the foot, aud retained a
proper shape. A buttoned shoe is not
subject to these objections, but the but.
tons are apt to be torn of. I think a
laced shoe the best. as it can be brought
as close about the iustep as may be de-
sired, and its shape is we'll retained.
For strings uae oiled buckskiu. Have
low, broad heels on boot or shoe. 1t is
important that the stifening in the heel
be good see that it is firm when you
purchase. A shoe or boot moderately
tight across the toes and half an inch
longer than the foot is easier and better
for the foot than short, broad shoe,
though the general notion fs the contra.
ry.-Coantry Gentleman.