The Dolores star., 1921-08-12

prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture)
1t is poor business to neglect the
care of leather. Every pair of shoes,
every machine belt. piece OF harness,
or other leather product on the farm
that Is allowed to go to waste or not
made to yield Its full service must be
needlessly replaced, thus adding un-
necessary expense to the farm, say
specialists Of the United States De-
partment Of Agriculture. On, many
farms set of harness lasts less than
ten years. Where eight or ten horses
are kept this means one new set of
harness every year. The department
has received many reports, especially
from Southern states. showing that
harness lasts only from two to five
years. But good harness, properly
cared for, will last 20 years or more.
In every neighborhood there are cases
where farmers are cutting their har-
ness bills in half by giving the leather
a cleaning and oiling occasionally.
Fifty million pairs of shoes could
| he saved annually if the American
| people kept their footwear in repair,
| the specialists say. AS a nation we
| buy some 3OO,OOO.0OO pairs of shoes n
| year. but If each individual cared for
his shoes properly the needs could be
| supplied by 25O.OOO,OOO pairs. The
wasting of single shoe year by
| each person In the United States
| would cost the country at least $780,
100000 annually at present prices of
shoes.
Any leather improperly used and
neglected will deteriorate rapidly.
Belts for driving machinery, for ex-
ample, often become impaired If not
useless, within a few years even on
straight drives. but when they are
kept clean and oiled they will last
from ten to thirty years.
Selecting and Caring for Harness.
Harness that Is too light or of poor
quality cannot give years of service.
In selecting harness, it is more eco
nomical to get set that is too heavy
than one which is too light for the
work required. Make sure especially
| that the reins, breeching, hOldback
straps. tugs or traces, bellybands. and
| yoke straps are strong. A runaway
team cannot be controlled with weak
reins. nor will weak tugs and straps
stand heavy work. No portion of the
harness should show cracks on the
grain side when the leather is sharp
ly bent.
| Harness should be washed and oiled
wien it becomes dirty or extremely
drv. For washing, use tepid water, II
neural soap. such as CASTLE or white
toilet soap, and sponge or fairly stiff
brush. Hardened grease Is very con
veniently removed by scraping with
dull knife. Rinse in clean, tepid
water and allow the harness to stand
in warm pace until ii is no longer
wet but still damp. Then oil 1t and
leave 1t in warm place for "a hours
before being used. Harness should be
oiled or creased while still damp; 9th
erwise, 1t may take up so much grease
that it will pull out of shape or take
up sand and grit, which will iniure it,
ms well as spoil its appearance. Har-
ness should never look or feel
greasy.
Neat's-foot or castor oil or a mix
ture of these with wool grease Is good
for driving harness. For heavy hnr-
ness use Il mixture of any or all of
these with wool grease to make a
paste. having about the consistency
of butter. Apply the grease lightly to
driving harness and literally to work
harness Rub the oil or grease, warm
to the hand. thoroughly into the leath
er while it is still damp from wash
ing. After the harness has hung in q
warm room overnight. remove with a
clean dry cloth the excess of oil which
the leather is unable to take up.
Keep Belts Clean.
In selecting belt for driving ma
chinery, make sure that 1t Is wide ant
heavy enough for the load 1t is tc
carry. Ordinarily the competent bell
makers advice as to the proper bell
for given Installation should be fol
lowed. II the belt is not suited to the
work 1t gives trouble continually
causing shutdown of machinery tha
will soon cost more in loss of time
and wages than many good belts. L
should always be sufficiently flexible
to cling closely to the smallest pulle!
over which 1t passes. belt will no
give satisfactory results II 1t slips
does not run true. is not properl!
. too loose or too tight, !!