THE OBLIGATIONS OF MASTER FARRIERS TO THEIR 



APPRENTICES. 



The general course of training for an apprentice is as follows : 

 First, he is taught to cut the clinchers and pull off the shoes. 

 Second, to lay the clinchers down to the foot and finish the outer 

 wall. Third, he must learn to pare the foot correctly and finally 

 to drive the shoes on to the foot, lay the clinchers down, and finish 

 the foot. This comprehends all the work of the floorsman. The 

 proper duties of the man at the fire are next to be instilled into 

 the apprentice. And here let me say that before an apprentice 

 can become a successful firesman, he must have learned well the 

 duties of the floorsman. He must, while learning his practical 

 shop duties as floorsman and man at the fire, have acquired a sub- 

 stantial knowledge of the anatomy of the foot and leg, and what- 

 ever appertains to the theory of farriery ; for in the dressing and 

 paring of the foot, as well as the making and driving of the shoe 

 upon the prepared foot, lie all the qualifications required in a 

 competent, practical farrier. So it stands to reason that the 

 master farrier, in his responsibility to the apprentice, should 

 show himself to be well-versed in all these matters, to be able to 

 impart to him the necessary instruction upon the salient points in 

 farriery. 



Therefore, first of all, if an apprentice is to be trained, he 

 must have a capable trainer. So, when an apprentice begins to 

 serve his four years to learn horseshoeing, he must put himself 

 into the hands of an intelligent, practical farrier. No man, who 

 is not himself a practical, scientific farrier, should attempt to in- 

 struct an apprentice. If he has not the necessary qualifications, 

 the boy will spend his four years of apprenticeship largely in vain. 

 The master will receive the services of the apprentice, but will not 

 be able to afford him that training and education which, under 



(xiva) 



