xiv^ OBLIGATIONS TO APTRENTICES. 



the law, he has obligated liimself to give. Thi^ Ijoy may have 

 been ever so faithful in trying to learn liis chosen trade, l)ut at 

 the end of his four years of service, he has not learned the rudi- 

 ments of the science of horseshoeing, and could not pass an ex- 

 amination as a farrier. The fault does not lie with the znalous 

 boy, but with the incompetent man. 



There is a science in horseshoeing which has to be learned just 

 the same as any other science. How can a school teacher instruct 

 children successfully without, for instance, a sufficient knowledge 

 of the alphabet? Every school teacher must pass an examination 

 before a board of examiners npjwintod for that ]nirpose, and re- 

 ceive a certificate ))efore teaching. In lik'" manner, no individual 

 can teach an apprentice the science of horseshoeing if he liimself 

 does not understand the principles of tlie science and the art of 

 their application, that is. unless he is a master farrier. He must 

 know how to pare the hoof and to prepare the foot, Ikjw to make 

 and fit the shoe, and liow to correctly drive the shoe onto the 

 hoof so as to have the pressure equally distributed to all parts of 

 the foot and leg. All this implies knowledge, practical knowl- 

 edge. If the master does not possess this knowledge, certainly he 

 cannot impart it to the apprentice. 



In the case of the school-teacher, after a thorough course of 

 examinations, if the board believes the candidate possesses the 

 necessary qualifications and knowledge to teach, a certificate to 

 that effect is issued. In like manner, the qualifications of any 

 one who would become a master farrier ought to be tested and 

 shown before he is permitted to assume the position of a teacher. 



And now, gentlemen, this brings me to the point I wish to 

 raise : Why should not laws be passed requiring the candidate to 

 farriery to pass a proper examination as to qualification before he 

 is permitted to open a farrier's shop? I hold that in this civilized 

 country it is just as essential to have laws passed and enforced re- 

 quiring an examination of men who profess to be practical and 

 scientific horseshoers, to instruct the apprentice, as it is to re- 



