160 THE HORSE. 



moters of the improvement ; but on the subsequent introduction of 

 low racks (which the grooms did not ohject to ichen they had to bring 

 their hay in through the stable door), and the simultaneous dismissal 

 of the openings over them to the loft, the objections to the old 

 situation of the latter were done away with; and the objections of 

 the grooms having been removed, no opposition could be offered 

 by them, and thus it has come to pass that in most of our best 

 stables low racks are established without openings over them, and 

 with the hay and straw stowed in a loft overhead, perfectly pro- 

 tected from injury from the stable emanations, by means of a sound 

 floor and a good ceiling beneath it. The fodder so placed does 

 good instead of harm, inasmuch as being a bad conductor of heat 

 it tends to keep the stable cool in summer and warm in winter. 

 Arrangements are easily made for throwing it down through a 

 shaft in some convenient spot, clear of the horses ; and as it can 

 more readily be filled from the cart or wagon through the window 

 than a chamber on the ground, labor is economised also. On the 

 whole therefore it may be laid down that if low racks are adopted, 

 which I shall hereafter show are the best on every account, the 

 loft should be placed over the stable, while even if high ones are 

 preferred, it may be fixed in the same situation, provided no open- 

 ings which will allow the passage of dust and steam are left above 

 them. 



The construction of the hay chamber should be such as will 

 provide for getting the hay and straw into it ; for the daily supply 

 of these articles out of it into the stable can always be easily ma- 

 naged without mechanical assistance. Mr. Miles, in the work 

 which I have already quoted, suggests the introduction of a spout 

 leading down from the loft to the manger, so as to convey the corn 

 and chaff into it; but I have a great objection to any plan which 

 allows of a direct communication from the one to the other, and as 

 neither corn nor chaff is a bulky article, it is easy for the groom to 

 carry them in his sieve. Moreover, each feed of corn should be 

 sifted and examined for stones, which cannot so well be done in 

 the bulk. I should therefore strongly advise the planner of a 

 stable to avoid all such premiums upon laziness, and to keep the 

 ceiling of his stable perfectly intact, except for the purpose of 

 carrying off the obnoxious gases which are the product of respi 

 ration. 



The granary, however, will require several fittings ; and, in 

 the first place, it should be so constructed as to be mice-proof. If 

 the walls are soundly built, no mice can gnaw through them, but 

 even if they are of soft materials, a lining of Roman cement will 

 exclude mice altogether. This article also keeps the corn dry, 

 and forms an excellent floor, as well as lining for the walls. If 

 the granary is on the ground, instead of using boards, which bar- 



