APPENDIX B. 



T. FAT^PtlETJS' TEACHING SCHOOLS. 



The farriers' trade in England being still open to all comers, 

 and not restricted, as in Germany and certain other Conti- 

 nental countries, to duly instructed and certificated persons, 

 it is not always easy to induce those desiring to enter its ranks 

 to fully qualify themselves for their life's work. Nor indeed 

 are the opportunities afforded them. At the present time the 

 old system of apprenticeship is fast dying out, and we cannot 

 help again expressing our regret that the Worshipful Company 

 of Farriers should have so neglected their opportunities as to 

 entirely forego the exercise of the powers they took to en- 

 courage and revive it. Apprenticeship still rei^resents the 

 only system under which youths can become good workmen. 

 The acquisition of a few half -understood plirases about the 

 anatomy of the foot is of no value, and the fullest, knowledge 

 of anatomy and physiology is absolutely useless unless conjoined 

 with a thorough mastery of the craft, and that education of the 

 eye and hand whicli only comes by years of steady practice 

 under a master's supervision. 



It is a fact, w^e believe, that at the present time no school, 

 competent to convey this instruction, exists in England. But 

 for those who have already made some progress two public 

 bodies at least, viz., the Berkshire County Council and the Bath 

 and West of England Agricultural Society, have provided much 

 needed assistance by instituting travelling scliools. A photo- 

 graph of the Berkshire County Councils School, with the 

 demonstrator and class, forms the frontispiece to this volume, 

 and another view, show^ing the van, etc., is given here. The 

 van contains two fires, witli anvils, vices, and all necessary 



