To keep wheels in good working order, they should be slightly greased after each day's march, and any old grease which has worked out at the shoulder of the axle scraped off. In garrison this is done each drill-day by the cannoneers while the drivers are hitching up, first wiping them off with cotton waste and then applying a little grease or sperm-oil. When it is necessary to remove a wheel, it should never be thrown upon the ground, nor the point of the axle allowed to rest upon the latter. The elevating-gear should be kept cleaned and oiled, and also the trunnion bearings, as far as may be without dismounting the gun. Should the elevating-screw fail to work freely, it must be examined, and if the threads are indented on the edges they must be carefully filed down. In long marches a little grease should be placed on each pintle-hook, so that the lunette may work freely on it. =Grease for Carriage-wheels.=--Hog's lard softened, if fresh, by working it. If this cannot be procured, tallow or other grease may be used; if hard, it should be melted with fish-oil. About one pound of grease is required for four wheels. Those fittings of carriages upon which, on account of friction, etc., paint cannot be kept should be well oiled to prevent rusting; this is also necessary with linch-pins, keys, etc., to keep them free from the liability of jamming. Bright parts are kept in good order by applying with a brush or cloth a mixture of 1 pound of white lead and ¼ pound tallow or lard heated and mixed together. It is easily removed with a cloth and a little turpentine. Leather strapping must be kept soft and pliable. Cotton waste and Putz pomade are supplied for keeping bright parts in good order. Articles carried in the boxes require examination to see that they are perfect. Sponges which have been in use ought to be washed and dried as far as possible, the covers not being put on until quite dry. =Painting Carriages.=--Wooden parts, and the corresponding parts of the steel carriage, are painted olive-color; the other parts black. Whenever there is an appearance of rust under the paint of the steel gun-carriage, it should not stand until the annual painting, but be cleaned off at once and repainted. Before painting a carriage it must be dry, thoroughly clean, and free from grease. It will not be necessary to scrape off the old paint where it is sound and firm, but all blisters, perished paint, and rust on ironwork must be scraped off. Where the wood is bare of paint, it should have three coats. This patching should be done before the final coat is put on. One coat is sufficient for the annual painting. To remove old paint, use a paste of soda and quicklime, equal parts, made by dissolving soda in water and then adding lime. Apply with a brush, and after a few minutes wash off with hot water. Wash with vinegar or an acid solution before repainting to remove all traces of the alkali. Sponges, rammers, and handspikes are not painted.