FALSE BOTTOMS. 15 



for the proper junction of the channeled stone in the centre of 

 the stall, with the drains of the stable. Where these are sunk, 

 and the false bottom in its place, the stall would present its 

 original level, neither would there be any step as would be the 

 case, when the false bottom is laid upon the ordinary floor. 

 It would also be well if the false bottom should fit somewhat 

 loosely, so as to allow of its ready removal, for the purpose of 

 washing and cleaning the floor beneath, and it would be better 

 still to have the false bottom made in three portions, each por- 

 tion so fitted to the others, as not to allow of its being acciden- 

 tally displaced. If the false bottom be laid down without the 

 floor being first sunk in the manner here spoken of, have it 

 simply of two halves, and make it so secure, that the lower half 

 cannot slide away from the upper one. In any case, by having 

 the longitudinal timbers or sleepers thicker at their lower end, 

 it will be very easy to throw the stall level, instead of following 

 the slope of the floor beneath ; the increased thickness of course 

 depending on the degree of fall the stall possesses. On no 

 account should the cross boards be more than half an inch 

 apart from one another. This space is amply sufficient to allow 

 of the urine to flow readily away ; all additional space is not 

 only unnecessary, but might result in the foot of the horse 

 becoming entangled amongst the bars.* The advantages 



* The late Mr. James Young, livery stable keeper, of Leeds, adopted 

 these false bottoms to a twelve-stalled stable, and the following is his- 

 description of the process. The cross boards to be made of elm, six inches 

 broad, two inches thick, and one inch apart from one another. The back or- 

 bottom cross board to be levelled, to prevent the horse when walking into 

 the stall from catching his toe and tripping in consequence. The ground' 

 sleepers should be the whole length of the stall, from wall to outside of 

 gutter, and made of larch or oak, two inches thick, and four inches broad,. 

 If the stalls be wide ones, four sleepers will be required. The cross boards 

 to be nailed on with what is called diamond nails, four nails through into 

 each sleeper. 



