548 AET OF SHOEING. 



by reducing the outer and prominent parts, but neither nor 

 both together are proper for giving a broad, good bearing 

 surface, or for economising labour in the process. A good 

 continental farrier can get feet ready for shoeing in half the 

 time we can, by using proper tools and forethought, with less 

 physical force. 



On the mode of forging shoes, their proportionate sub- 

 stance, and the proper form to be given to them, we shall 

 be brief. 



With some few exceptions this part of the work could be 

 reduced to rule, difference in size, from such as are suitable 

 for the small, up to the largest horses, constituting the only 

 essential variations ; substance and cover is required to be 

 different, according to the employment of horses, their breed 

 and weight, and exceptional formation of feet, taking into 

 consideration also the roads on which they work. 



If some plan could be devised by which machinery were 

 made to supply the iron in an advanced stage towards being 

 completed into horse-shoes, a public good would thereby 

 result, and we feel quite certain that water and steam power, 

 under the present state of engineering art, can be brought to 

 do at least one-third of the work which is now done by 

 hand in the making of heavy shoes ; and without assuming 

 that anything will ever surpass the best hand- work in the 

 process, we believe that the state of the art of farriery would 

 speedily change for the better, both as it would affect the 

 men employed, and in the execution of the work. It would 

 be possible for much of the heavy labour of forging shoes, 

 which is done for less pay than any similar amount of equally 

 important work, to be kept distinct from the art of shoeing, 

 just as nail making or any of the processes through which 

 iron passes, are separate and distinct departments of industry. 



With regard to details on the method of making shoes., 



