38 The Stable- Yard and its Occupants. 



HARNESS-ROOM. This should be at least 10 ft. square, 

 and have in it a fireplace fitted with range with boiler 

 attached. A handy supply of hot water will be found 

 most advantageous in the management of the stables, and 

 we need not point out the necessity of a fire for drying the 

 rugs, horse-cloths, saddles, harness, &c., in winter-time. 



This room should be fitted with convenient hooks and 

 brackets for the hanging and cleaning of harness. These 

 are of all sorts of designs, in which individual taste will 

 be the best guide. 



HAY-LOFT AND CORN-CHAMBER. In most stables, in 

 addition to the coachman's rooms, there is a corn-chamber 

 and hay-loft over the stable. The former is generally 

 boarded off, lined all round with sheets of zinc or tin to 

 keep out the vermin, and the door is provided with a 

 lock, of which the coachman keeps the key, and gives out 

 at stated times the corn for so many horses for so many 

 days. By this means he keeps a check upon the con- 

 sumption, and prevents waste and pilfering ; both of which 

 are more likely to occur when the supply is unlimited and 

 easy of access. When there is not a regular corn-chamber, 

 one must either be made or a large bin provided, and the 

 oats bought from the corn-chandler as required, in quan- 

 tities of two or three quarters at a time, as many as the 

 bin will contain, which will be found a more expensive 

 proceeding. Hay, from being bulky, is almost invariably 

 stowed away in the loft, which should hold at least half 

 a load ; it must be stored away carefully, and nothing 

 allowed to run about or play on it. Hay will keep good 

 and sweet for some time, if in a dry place and not meddled 

 with. If the loft be large enough, it will be found better 

 and cheaper to buy a load at a time ; if not, or the loft be 

 damp, a smaller quantity must suffice. 



STABLE UTENSILS. Under this head is included all 

 that is used in dressing the horse, and in cleansing the 

 yard and stable. 



The pitchfork is used to shake up the straw, of which 

 the horses' bed is made ; to remove all that becomes 

 soiled and dirty ; and, in general, to set it fair and straight. 



