488 CHAPTER 63. 



rasp, a hollow cap for finally fitting nail head to hole without injury to 

 sharpened or projecting portion. Plate 20, A. 



Hardening, i. e. tempering frost nails. Ordinary frost nails are 

 readily hardened by being dipped while at a black heat into water. 

 Great care is necessary that only the " frosting " portion of head is so 

 treated ; if the shank be hardened it will be rendered brittle and useless. 

 The vendor should be made to exchange all found to be so hardened in 

 the shank. 



In these nails the wearing or frosting face of nail should at least 

 project | inch. 



991a. Slippery pavements. 



The pavements in use in London and other large towns are 1st. 

 Macadam, i. e. broken granite stones. This pavement is safe in all 

 weathers, except of course in frost. 2nd. Wood, which is safe when dry 

 and also when thoroughly wet. It is dangerous in the intermediate 

 stage, especially when greasy, which it becomes when there is rain 

 enough to turn the dust into mud, and not rain enough to wash away the 

 mud. The same applies to artificial watering. 3rd. Asphalte, which is 

 more dangerous. It is least dangerous when quite dry or very wet, and 

 most dangerous in the intermediate stage, as in the case of wood. 



Various patent pads and shoes have been brought out to obviate these 

 dangers. Pads over the sole may be used for a day or two, as in frost. 

 But their constant use will produce lameness, as the sole is a recessed 

 surface, and therefore not intended to bear pressure. Frog pads are 

 better, but expensive. 



Anti-slipping shoes of many various patterns have been brought out. 

 Those in most common use are llodway's and Rowley's. Uodway's 

 answer well enough for a time, but the edges will not stand a month's 

 wear ; and when the edges are worn away, they necessarily lose their 

 effect. Martin's shoes, 30, Olding Place, Marylebone, and Chelsea, will 

 stand the month, and the author has no hesitation whatever, both as to 

 durability and safety, in recommending them. 



Tips answer far the best ; but coachmen are generally prejudiced 

 against them. The Frog, which is nature's wedge against slipping, is 

 brought more thoroughly into use than with any kind of shoe. See Tips, 

 par. 983, especially the last sentence, regarding the time necessary after 

 substituting tips for shoes to allow the frogs and heels to grow strong. 



But after all, habit is the great point. Horses get used to travelling 

 on slippery surfaces. Horses fresh from the country, where the roads 

 are made of gravel, must "be gradually accustomed to the streets. A 

 "country" horse on coming to London should be driven first on maca- 

 dam, then on granite stone pavement, next on wood, and last on asphaltu. 



9916. Ice shoes for winter wear in cold countries. 



Fig. 21 represents Russian, and fig. 22 American trotting shoes, i. e. 

 for fast work in winter. They are of value as showing the systems found 



