CHAP. IV.] FRENCH SHOEING, SLOVENLY. 515 



working horses that require frequent shoeing, but 

 do not secrete a sufficiency of new horn, the evident 

 fact that the nail-holes will constantly occur always 

 at the same spot, affording no fresh hold for the 

 nailing in sound horn, must operate as a great ob- 

 jection to the general employment of cast iron shoes 

 for working cattle. 



Notwithstanding the French method of punching 

 has been spoken of in terms of approbation, and 

 their mode of driving and clenching low is recom- 

 mended to imitation, let it not be supposed that in 

 other respects they make the best shoeing smiths in 

 the world, but the contrary. Their general manner 

 of shoeing is sad, slovenly work to look at; and 

 this very excellence of theirs just spoken of, is more 

 attributable to laziness than to design or plan. 

 Even in the army they assign two men to placing 

 the shoe, a lacquay holding the foot and bringing 

 the tools, whilst le marechal himself hammers it on 

 with much display ; and the agricultural smiths 

 follow the same system. The youths who are 

 reared at their national schools (see page 1 1, Note) 

 are taught nailing upon dead feet placed in a vice, 

 from their earliest years ; a mode of instruction w T e 

 strenuously advise the imitation of, in -this country. 



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