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limbs of the slioe, the ground surface being uppermost, are 

 grasjjed by tougs, prejoared for the purpose, and the fore 

 part of the shoe made to project beyond the edge of the 

 anvil. By these means any amount of elevation can be 

 given to the toe by the hammer without altering the 

 230sition of the quarters, or heels in the smallest degree. 

 These tongs, which are very simple in their construction, 

 can be made by any smith by adding two flat pieces of 

 iron about five inches long and an inch Inroad to an old 

 pair of tongs, and will be found a usefid addition to the 

 tools in every forge, saving much time and ti'ouble, for they 

 not only enable the smith, by the firm hold they give liim 

 of both limbs of the shoe at the same time, to elevate the 

 toe without distorting the remainder of the shoe, but also, 

 by turning it upon the anvil, to restore the seating at the 

 elevated portion, still preserving the form of the other parts ; 

 whereas the tongs in common vise, by acting iipon one fimb 

 only at a time, cause a series of displacements, each caULng 

 for immediate adjustment. The degree of elevation, imparted 

 to the toe of the new shoe, should equal that of the old 

 one, which it is destined to replace ; and this can be readily 

 ascertained by putting them side by side upon a flat sur- 

 face. When this has been done, and the quarters and heels 

 made plane with the face of the anvil, the process of fitting 

 the shoe to the foot may be begun ; this should always 

 commence at the front of the foot, and be carried gradually 

 Ijack to the heels, care being taken, that the shoe shall be 

 accommodated to the exact form of the hoof. It is a good 

 plan in " fitting out " the shoe, preparatory to fitting it to 



