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Show CARE FOR THE HARNESS. As with farm machinery, the life of the farm harness could be prolonged pro-longed by the use of a little oil. Many a farmer never oils his harness harn-ess from one years' end to another ttnd when a strap breaks it is tied up with a piece of string, a broken tug is replaced with a rope and it is used in that way as long as it will hold together under the strain of work. A rivet, a new strap or a buckle will often repair a set of harness as good as new, that is, if it has been properly prop-erly oiled. Prcspiration soon causes leather to decay. For that reason the harness should be carefully cleaned and given giv-en a good dressing of oil after the season's work is over. This is a good winter job provided there is a warm place to work in. A workshop work-shop that is heated by a stove makes an excellent place. Here the harness can be hung up, mended and thoroughly thor-oughly washed with warm soap suds to remove all dirt and gummy substance sub-stance that has accumulated. After washing apply a good dressing of oil and rub in thoroughly. A mixture mix-ture that has 'been Vccommcndcd for this purpose is made by using two quarts of fish oil, two pound's of mutton mut-ton tallow, one pint of castor oil, one-fourth pound of lampblack, one-half one-half pound of bees wax, one-fourth pound of resin and two ounces of pure tar, boiled half an hour over a slow fire. This should be put on cold and worked well into the Icath-er. Icath-er. It will prevent rats and mice from chewing the leather as well as preserve it, keeping it soft and pli-aglc pli-aglc and making it waterproof. This job is often neglected because it is not agreeable, but then it is a costly neglect. A weak worn-out set of harness is a source of great danger especially where used with young or excitable horses. Many a runaway has been caused by broken harness. Keep all repairs made and the hamesss well oiled and it will last longer and give better service. |