General Arrangement of Stables. 197 



is stone laid in large squares, or other forms, ac- 

 curately jointed. Dutch tiles are very service- 

 able and cleanly. There are also square thick 

 tiles used in some districts. These are made 

 from fire-clay and burned. When laid down they 

 present a very good and even surface. Asphalt, 

 or coal tar, and common brick floors are used in 

 some stables, but soon wear into holes. In cart- 

 horse stables this is a great objection, their shoes 

 doing great damage. 



Cement floors are probably the best when 

 properly laid down. The materials are composed 

 of what is termed by builders " hydraulic lime/ ; 

 The compound has the property of immediately 

 hardening when placed in contact with water, 

 becoming quite solid and resisting external agen- 

 cies in a most remarkable manner. 



Stable drains are a great nuisance in many 

 instances. They are either too deep and narrow, 

 or are fitted with some peculiar arrangement or 

 apparatus which is principally designed to exhibit 

 the resources of a cast-iron foundry. The less 

 these things are fettered by details the better. 

 Complications are not always understood by 

 grooms, and in consequence such an arrangement 

 is likely to get out of order by neglect and even 

 tampering. We were at one time great advocates 

 for all drains in a stable being covered, their 

 entrance only being seen, and that guarded by a 

 trap. Further experience, however, has con- 

 vinced us that plan is not the most correct 



