428 farriers' teaching schools. 



appliances. The demonstrator is a man of proved ability, and 

 is supervised and assisted by a member of the Eoyal College 

 of Veterinary Surgeons, who delivers a course of lectures on the 

 anatomy and physiology of the foot. As stated, instruction is 

 not given to beginners, but only to those already possessing a 

 fair knowledge of the trade. In the cases of the West of 

 England Association, the course consists of ten lectures, for 

 which a fee of 2s. 6d. is charged. The classes contain four 

 pupils each, and as tliese cannot always attend on consecutive 

 nights, two classes are formed and receive instruction on 

 alternate nights. Instruction begins at 6 I'.M. 



The pupils are shown the correct methods of shoeing every 

 kind of horse they are likely to meet with, and how to adapt 

 shoes to abnormal feet. A typical collection of shoes and 

 hoofs is always on exhibition at the school. In addition to the 

 apparatus contained in the van, the Society provides all 

 necessary tools and appliances for pupils' use. 



In the practical course the pupils work in pairs, each pupil 

 making one or more shoes, which are examined and criticised 

 by the instructor, who points out the defects and the methods 

 of avoiding or remedying them. Sometimes it is even necessary 

 to show the pupil how to handle his tools so as to obtain the 

 best results. 



The first shoes made are usually fore and hind cart, and 

 the pupil gradually passes on, as he becomes adept, to the 

 making of riding and carriage horse shoes, concave fullered 

 shoes, bar shoes, ' dub-toed ' shoes, ' cradled ' shoes, ' set-heeled ' 

 shoes, ' diamond- toed ' hind shoes, and in fact every kind of patho- 

 logical shoe. 



One or two e\'enings a week are usually set aside for shoeing 

 such horses as can be obtained in the neighbourhood, when 

 instruction is given in handling animals, picking up feet, taking 

 off shoes, preparing feet for shoeing, and (after making satis- 

 factory shoes) nailing-on. 



From the foregoing it will be seen that, despite the public- 

 spirited efforts of our County Councils and Agricultural Societies, 

 England is still far behind Continental countries in providing 

 technical education for farriers, and it is greatly to be desired 

 either that a stimulus be given to the system of apprentice- 

 ship, or that proper teaching schools for farriers (which could 



