252 STABLES. 



that sawdust is practically free from. Besides, the presence 

 of tan on the ground makes a building look gloomy. Tan 

 in a quantity sufficient for a school costs far more than saw- 

 dust, and does not give such a good result. 



LITTER SHED. 



For drying straw litter in wet weather, it is well to have an 

 open shed with a movable protection for any side against 

 which the rain may beat. In fine weather it will be best to 

 dry the bedding in the open air. 



WEIGHING MACHINE. 



In large stables it is often a great convenience to have at 

 the gateway a machine for weighing loads of hay, straw, 

 carrots, etc. Bags of oats will generally be weighed one by 

 one with ordinary weights and scales. 



STABLE UTENSILS. 

 The "tools" for grooming are described on pages 326 to 



332- 



I refrain from quoting the prices of stable utensils and 

 grooming tools ; because they are matters of common know- 

 ledge, and are not more affected by quality and the fashion- 

 able standing of tradesmen, than those of other articles 

 of commerce. Besides, extra cost has to be allowed for, when 

 horse-owners entrust purchases to grooms, and fail to pay 

 cash. 



Each groom, for his horse or horses, should be provided 

 with a bass-broom, birch-broom, stable fork, skep and 

 shovel ; and each horse, with a water bucket. 



Every stable should possess a corn-bin, sieve, quartern mea- 

 sure, weights and scales for weighing sacks of corn, wheel- 

 barrow, chaff (chop) cutter, oat-bruising machine, saddle-dryer, 

 clipping machine (power or hand, according to the size of 

 the stable), singeing lamp, clipping scissors and combs, 



