The rule for the height of the splinter-bar, to which the traces or shafts are fixed, is that it should fall on a line drawn from the horse’s shoulder to the centre of the hind wheel. This, however, is not always convenient in practice, as the fore wheels regulate the height of the framing of the under carriage, to which the splinter-bar is fixed. The distance of the splinter-bar from the central pin, on which the wheel-plate and fore carriage turn, is regulated by the size of the wheels and the projection of the driving seat footboard. All the above particulars are considered when setting out the full-sized draught, and all points capable of delineation are put on the board in some convenient part. In Fig. 9 the outline is simply given, as to show everything would only confuse the reader. Such other details as are required are filled in after the draught has reached the stage shown in the figure. It is most necessary for the safe conduct of a coach and carriage builder’s business that there should be a goodly stack of well-seasoned timber of the various kinds required, otherwise great trouble and vexation will arise in the course of business from a good piece of timber being perhaps spoilt in working, and there not being another piece in the factory to replace it. Where there is sufficient accommodation it is usual for makers to season their own timber in specially constructed sheds, which are kept from bad weather, but at the same time thoroughly well ventilated. In these the timber is stacked, with small fillets between each plank or board, to insure a free current of air circulating all round. One year should be allowed for seasoning for every inch of thickness in the timber, and none should be used in which this rule has not been observed. Thin portions of timber, such as panel stuff and the like, should be treated in the same way, and in addition the ends should be secured to prevent splitting. The panel stuff undergoes another process of seasoning after it is planed up; in fact, all the thin timber required for roofs, sides, &c., does. And about the first thing done in commencing to build a carriage is for the body-maker to get his thin stuff ready, as far as planing it up goes, and then to put it aside in some moderately dry place, with slips of wood between each board to allow a circulation of air round them. The other stuff that is likely to be required should also be selected and put aside. If all these things be strictly attended to, there is not likely to be much trouble about bad joints; and it will be to the employer’s interest to look after such workmen who have not enough scientific knowledge to see the reason of things themselves, and put them in the right direction. But an intelligent workman will soon appreciate the advantage of getting his stuff ready at the commencement, instead of waiting till he wants to use it. The parts composing the body may be thus enumerated:— The frame or case. The doors.