106 PEAOTICAL HORSESHOEING. 



do so, and with the greatest advantage to the service ; 

 but there is not the same encouragement offered either to 

 veterinary surgeons or farriers in this respect as there is 

 in Continental armies. In the French army, for instance, 

 there are schools and professors of farriery, the most nota- 

 ble of these being at the cavalry school of Saumur. In 

 these, the farriers are regularly trained to a uniform and 

 approved system before being posted to different regi- 

 ments, and direct encouragement is given to these men 

 by the institution of competitions, in which the most suc- 

 cessful are rewarded by medals and gifts of money. 



But not only does the French Government bestow 

 some care in the advancement of farriery in the army ; it 

 also stimulates competition and improvement among the 

 civilian farriers. So late as the 28th, 29th, and 30th of 

 April last (1870) there was a concours of " marechalerie " 

 at Valence, divided into two sections — a civil and a mili- 

 tary — presided over by two special juries composed of 

 eminent veterinary surgeons and professors. 



At this concours, not only were models of shoes and 

 shod hoofs exhibited, but the farriers — civil and military 

 — were tested in the various operations of farriery on the 

 spot, by shoeing saddle, carriage, and draught horses, 

 draught and pack mules, and oxen. A large number of 

 gold, silver, and bronze medals, as well as a considerable 

 sum of money, were given away. 



These concours cannot but effect much good, by at- 

 tracting attention to this very important subject, and en- 

 couraging good workmen. 



In Belgium there are also concours, and, if I remember 

 aright, farriers who attend them receive instruction from 

 properly-qualified veterinary surgeons, who are author- 

 ized to grant certificates of proficiency. 



In both countries, as well as in Germanv, the students 

 at the veterinary schools are taught the principles and 



