NUMBER OF NAILS. 669 



time does not so much depend upon the number of nails 

 attaching it, as upon its exact coaptation and solid bear- 

 ing on the crust and sole. 



The immense number of nails needed to retain the 

 shoes of the last four or five centuries, and as we see exem- 

 plified in figure 189, was not so much in consequence of 

 their weight and clumsiness, as the absence of level bearing 

 on the crust, the whole strain being sustained on the ex- 

 treme outer margin of the torturing encumbrance. It 

 should be laid down as a rule, that where there is a clip there 

 should be no nail ; the one is likely to act injuriously on the 

 other. It is scarcely necessary to say, that when so few 

 nails are employed, they should be of the very best 

 quality and judiciously prepared. 



We have now prepared our imaginary hoof, and laid 

 down principles to guide us in the manufacture of our 

 shoe. The next step is to fit it. This is also an im- 

 portant one. 



The part of the hoof intended to be protected by the 

 iron rim has been made as level as possible by the rasp, 

 aided a little perhaps by the knife ; the surface of the shoe 

 destined to rest on this horny bed has also been made 

 perfectly level and smooth, particularly towards the clip or 

 clips. It only remains now to fit the shoe and put it on. 

 After the evidence I have adduced, and so far as my own 

 practical experience in the matter is concerned, I need not 

 say that fitting the shoe cold is only to be justified when it 

 cannot be fitted hot ; and that it will not be nearly so 

 quickly, conveniently, or satisfactorily performed, nor 

 will the shoe be so secure. The red-hot shoe at once 

 disposes of those inequalities which cannot be discovered 



