MODERN FARRIER. 141 



means of wood ; and tl\ey should only be covered 

 with plaster. The temperature of the air in build- 

 ings of stone or brick is much more equable than in 

 those built of wood, and they also are better adapted 

 for resisting the spreading of fire. 



It is a common practice to build stables of two 

 stories, the upper story forming a loft for the pur- 

 pose of keeping the horse's hay and corn ; and in ■ 

 gentlemen's stables, where the building is sufficiently 

 large, it is usual to have apartments on the upper 

 story for the grooms and other servants employed 

 about the stables to sleep in. 



The apartment employed as a hay-loft has usually 

 a vacancy in that part of the flooring which is im- 

 mediately over the rack, for the purpose of more 

 conveniently supplying the horses with hay. This 

 mode of building stables has its convenience in an 

 economical point of view, and these apartments in 

 the upper story add much to the shewy appearance 

 of the building ; but there are several material ob- 

 jections to this construction. 



Lofts or chambers above the stable render the lat- 

 ter too close and warm, and are more exposed to 

 accidents from fire, while the foul and heated air 

 that arises from the stalls tends to mildew the hay 

 and corn : besides, the dust rising from the shaking 

 of the hay into the rack is prejudicial to the lungs of 

 the horses. 



Where, from taste or convenience, stables are built 

 of two stories, the flooring above the stable should 

 be made as close as possible, and covered with thin 

 bricks or stone ; and the entrance to the upper lofts 

 or apartments should be from without, and by no 

 means by a trap-door and ladder within the stable. 

 Stables should always be as much as possible de- 

 tached from other buildings, and the dunghill should 

 be at some distance from the door or window of the 

 building. ' '"■ 



