STABLE NECESSARIES 109 



A corn measure is a very necessary thing in a 

 stable. In some stables I have seen a basket 

 *' corn skep " used, but it is a bad plan as it is im- 

 possible to form any definite idea of the quantity 

 of corn each horse gets when they are fed from 

 this. A quartern — quarter of a peck — measure 

 I have found the handiest size. 



From what one sees in some establishments 

 the proper use of a corn sieve is unknown. The 

 corn is put into it and the sieve is given a per- 

 functory twist round, and the oats a kind of toss 

 up in it to finish the operation. No matter how 

 well or how recently the oats have been winnowed 

 it is essential that they shall be well sieved before 

 they are given to the horses, for oats gather dust 

 very quickly. A tin sieve is much to be preferred 

 to one with wooden sides and a bass bottom such 

 as one occasionally sees. It is essential that there 

 shall be a sufficiency of holes in the bottom of the 

 tin sieve and that they are big enough. 



Other articles in common in a stable are the 

 clipping machine, singeing lamps and scissors. 

 They are however generally used only by one 

 man — the head man in a small establishment ; 

 and in a very small establishment the assistance 

 of an expert is frequently obtained. 



There are several good makes of clipping 

 machine, and perhaps we may fairly claim that, 

 so far as regards the clipping machine we are 

 about as near perfection as we are likely to get. 

 They require very careful handling as it stands to 

 reason that they are easily broken, and when 



