48 OF SHOEING. 



each side should be exactly opposite each other and 

 at even distances. So placed they get a more even 

 hold, and keep the shoe steadier and tighter. 



These are, of course, only general directions as to 

 where it is desirable to place the nails. If a crust be 

 broken or damaged, the nails must be placed where 

 they can get a hold. The use of two nails only on 

 the inside, that is, the omission of a third and poste- 

 rior nail on that side, will leave the inside heel, which 

 is the ordinary seat of contraction, as free as is pos- 

 sible to expand or contract, as the foot is raised from 

 or placed upon the ground. 



Form of Q^ Nails must be made of the best and toughest 



nails. ^ 



iron, for none else can stand the strain and jar of 

 fast work. The size of the nail must be varied 

 according to the size of the foot and the weight of 

 the shoe. The dimensions of the head must of 

 course be proportionate to the size of the nail. The 

 point should be hammered out sharp and fine. 



A nail larger than necessary is objectionable, 

 because it needlessly damages the crust, and besides 

 requires a larger hole, which obviously weakens the 

 shoe. It is absolutely necessary that the counter- 

 sinks should be punched of a size corresponding to 

 that of the nails which it is intended to employ, and 

 nails must then be selected to fit the countersinks. 



When a nail breaks, the seat of fracture is gene- 

 rally at the neck. The principal cause of its break- 



