192 THE HORSE. 
annoyed with the dust falling through, and, in the second, the hay was 
injured by the vapour from the stable reaching it through the same open- 
ings. On these accounts a great outcry was raised against placing the loft 
in this situation ; and stable-architects insisted upon a hay chamber, as it 
was called, being built on the ground-floor, or at all events in some other 
situation than that usually allotted to it. There was great sense in this 
precaution, and for a time credit was due to the promoters of the improve- 
ment; but on the subsequent introduction of low racks (which the grooms 
did not object to when they had to bring their hay in through the stable-door), 
and the simultaneous dismissal of the openings over them to the loft, the 
objections to the old situation of the latter were done away with ; and the 
objections of the grooms having been removed, no opposition could be 
offered by them, and thus it has come to pass that in most of our best 
stables low racks are established without openings over them, and with 
the hay and straw stowed in a loft overhead, perfectly protected from 
injury from the stable emanations, by means of a sound floor and a good 
ceiling beneath it. The fodder so placed does good instead of harm, in- 
asmuch as being a bad conductor of heat it tends to keep the stable coo} 
in summer and warm in winter. Arrangements are easily made for throw- 
ing it down through a shaft in some convenient spot, clear of the horses ; 
and as it can more readily be filled from the cart or waggon through the 
window than a chamber on the ground, labour is economised also. On 
the whole therefore it may be laid down that if low racks are adopted, 
which I shall hereafter show are the best on every account, the loft should 
be placed over the stable, while even if high ones are preferred, it may be 
fixed in the same situation, provided no openings which will allow the 
passage of dust and steam are left above them. 
THE CONSTRUCTION of the hay chamber should be such as will provide 
for getting the hay and straw into it ; for the daily supply of these articles 
out of it into the stable can always be easily managed without mechanical 
assistance. Mr. Miles, in the work which I have already quoted, suggests 
the introduction of a spout leading down from the loft to the manger, so 
as to convey the corn and chaff into it; but I have a great objection to 
any plan which allows of a direct communication from the one to the 
other, and as neither corn nor chaff is a bulky article, it is easy for the 
groom to carry them in his sieve. Moreover, each feed of corn should be 
sifted and examined for stones, which cannot so well be done in the bulk. 
I should therefore strongly advise the planner of a stable to avoid all such 
premiums upon laziness, and to keep the ceiling of his stable perfectly 
intact, except for the purpose of carrying off the noxious gases which are 
the product of respiration. 
THE Granary, however, will require several fittings ; and, in the first 
place, it should be so constructed as to be mice-proof. If the walls are 
soundly built, no mice can gnaw through them, but even if they are of 
soft materials, a lining of Roman cement will exclude mice altogether. 
This article also keeps the corn dry, and forms an excellent floor, as well 
as a lining for the walls. If the granary is on the ground, instead of 
using boards, which harbour vermin of all kinds, lay a course of bricks 
edgeways upon concrete, and then upon the former have an inch of Roman 
cement carefully laid, and take care to allow time for it to harden. When 
this is done, corn may be stored without fear of loss by mice, and all that 
is necessary is to turn it over every fortnight if at all new, or once a 
month if dry. Few grooms are to be trusted with an unlimited supply of 
oats, as they will almost all waste them in some way or other. It is better 
