216 KINGSCLERE 



mangers and hay-racks, to prevent the breath of the 

 horse from impregnating a softer or more porous 

 substance, and so possibly preventing a new animal 

 contracting any disease from which the late occupant 

 may have been suffering. 



In the working of a stable it is necessary that 

 every convenience should be handy for the grooms — 

 such, for instance, as hot water, to which there should 

 be ready access ; while the saddle and cleaning rooms 

 ought to be conveniently placed. The drying room 

 also is a most important adjunct. At Kingsclere 

 this has been constructed in such a manner that even 

 if the whole of the horses come in from exercise 

 with wet clothing, the latter can be completely dried 

 in two or three hours without building up roaring 

 fires — in fact, without going to any extra trouble 

 whatsoever. 



Water. — In regard to water, it goes without 

 saying that there should be a plentiful supply. At 

 Kingsclere a deep well has been sunk (it had to be 

 mighty deep) and a powerful pump fixed. The 

 latter is worked by a gas engine to store the water in 

 a cistern containing 4,00x3 gallons. From this cistern 

 water has been laid on to the various draw-offs 

 and to hydrants dotted about the entire premises in 

 case of such a calamity as a fire. The boys are 

 taught the use of these hydrants, so that a powerful 

 stream of water can at all times be directed to any 

 portion of the buildings attacked. 



Forage and manure. — The store should be placed 

 in a position to afford ready access, as the boys have 

 to fetch their allowance of forage for every meal. 

 In regard to the disposal of the manure, it is highly 

 requisite that the pit should not be near the stable. 

 At Kingsclere the manure is removed away from 

 the buildings. I may remark that the straw in the 

 condition it is taken away from the various standings 

 would be considered clean litter in many establish- 



