INCLINATION OF THE STALLS. 83 



or two in money goes but a little way in veterinary 

 surgeon's bills. And in this way many pounds are 

 spent under the idea of saving as many shillino-s. 



All who have written on the structure of 

 stables, or, at leasts all who understand the subject, 

 agree that for a horse's comfort the stalls should be 

 nearly flat. Dealers have them very much raised 

 in front, to show oiF the horses; livery-stable 

 keepers to make any wet run immediately back, 

 to save straAv ; the old flint-paved stalls were so 

 made, for otherwise the centre of the bed would 

 be a regular cesspool. Nothing but a great declen- 

 sion could enable the wet to meander its way 

 backwards. A gutter or drain behind the horses 

 is an unsightly thing, and^ were horses only to 

 inhabit the stable, it would be unnecessary ; but, 

 as mares also stand there, it cannot be dispensed 

 with. 



I consider the best way to arrange the floor of 

 a stall is as follows : — The iron of the grate in 

 the centre should be 10 inches square, made of 

 good hammered iron (and not cast). It should be 

 a full half-Inch thick, and its extreme edge or 

 border much deeper, so as to give it a firm hold 

 in its oak frame. From wanting this precaution 

 they are apt to get out of place, as is sometimes 

 seen with the round Iron coal-cellar covers on the 

 foot pavement in London. The stall floor should 

 G 2 



