THE AIR SYSTEM. 



389 



at the top and at the bottom, so much the better, as this ar- 

 rangement will prevent crib-biting. 



The same method is excellent for the bars, at the top of par- 

 titions between loose boxes ; which bars may be also made of 

 'enamelled iron to great advantage. 



Commodious cupboards may be made 

 under the racks and mangers, for containing 

 a water bucket and stable implements, and 

 will save the further purpose of preventing 

 the horse, when rising, after taking his rest, 

 from striking his head or limbs against the 

 under surfaces. Midway between the rack 

 and manger, at the head of the stall, must 

 be a perpendicular tube or shaft to contain 

 the halter and halter weight, running over 

 a pulley ; and I will here add, that much 

 the best and neatest halter is a fine steel 

 chain covered with leather, like a dragoon 

 bridle, and attached to the ring of the headstall by a spring 

 swivel. 



The walls, where not wainscoted, must be hard-finished and 

 whitewashed. The floor of the loft must be made of exceeding 

 close, well-jointed plank, and should also be under-drawn and 

 ceiled, as should also the sides of the air-shaft, or dome, in order 

 to prevent the hay from being impregnated with the effluvia of 

 the ammonia and perspiration, which render it odious to the 

 animal, and prejudicial to his health. There should on no 

 account, for the same reason, be traps above the racks for throw- 

 ing in the hay, which ought invariably to be tossed out of the 

 upper windows, and brought into the stable by the door, from 

 without, or carried down the stairs within. 



And last, but most important of all, there should be in every 

 stable, in the thickness of the head wall a tube or air-pipe, 

 either round or square, of full six inches in diameter, running 

 from end to end, open at both extremities, to the fresh external 

 air, the apertures being covered by wire gauze to prevent the 

 entrance of vermin. 



This pipe should be at the level of the manger, and from it, 

 into each stall, should be brought at regular intervals, not less 



