FLOORS — DRAINAGE. 23 



Jisliments the same as is used in the stable, but more 

 usually a portion of it is paved with bricks put down flat, 

 and in some instances, to insure durability, on their edges, 

 especially iu that part where the carriage washing is done. 

 In the finer stables, large flagstones are used, and generally 

 in such cases the whole of the floor is thus laid as far as 

 the adjoining one of the stable. This diversity only shows 

 the views and tastes of the architects and builders, and 

 nothing more. 



The drainage of stables is a matter of much import- 

 ance, not only in regard to health, but also to cleanliness. In 

 fact, so much is thought of this in relation to stables, that 

 great ingenuity has been displayed in the furtherance and 

 accomplishment of this design. Many plans are in use, but 

 not one of them will serve the purpose, short of a tho- 

 rough discharge of the fluid from the stable without a 

 return of the ammonia and gas up the drains and through 

 the openings into them from the floor of the stable. We 

 do not refer to drains on the surface, as their gases are 

 diluted with the air of the stable, but to the deep gutters 

 conveying the urine, &c., to the common sewers of the city. 

 To thoroughly drain the stable of its fluids and carry them 

 to the sewers of the city, at the same time preventing a 

 return of gas, is perhaps all that is wanted ; and for this 

 purpose a contrivance made of cast iron is now used and is 

 called a trap, which closely fits to the opening in the drain 

 under the floor of the stable. A catch-pit is the most efi'ect- 

 ual way of stopping the foul gas from entering the place ; 

 and we think that without it no stench-trap can be complete. 



