IX.] CORN IS APPLICABLE. 



vented a shoe, which expands with the growth 

 of the hoof; and, as far as I am able to judge 

 of the matter, the invention, which is certainly 

 founded in reason, will be found of great value 

 upon experience. I have but just read his state- 

 ment upon the subject; but, though my horse is 

 not a very choice animal, I shall, as soon as con- 

 venient, make a trial of this shoe. Doubtless 

 the American horses may owe something to this 

 circumstance, of being left free with regard to 

 the expansion of the hoof; but I know, from ex- 

 perience, that, with shoes, or without shoes, the 

 corn in the belly is the great hastener and 

 strengthener of the horse, as well as the great 

 preserver of his health. When in Long Island, 

 I lived tv/enty miles from New York ; I kept, as 

 's the fashion of the farmers in the island, a pair 

 of horses to drive in a light wagon witli a pole ; 

 and though this wagon (the nicest thing in this 

 world) is used for all the purposes upon the farm, 

 not excepting stone-cart, and timber- cart (for 

 the sides taken off it becomes a little timber- 

 carriage) ; though it be very strong, it is, owing 

 to its being made of locust, white oak and hickory 

 wood, in every part, of size so small, a really light 

 affair, not exceeding in weight the common rat- 

 tling English post-chaise. This wagon and pair 

 is kept by every farmer of substance, for car- 

 rying things to market especially ; and, not un- 

 I 2 



