18 STABLE ECONOMY. 



hend, is applicable only to a new stone wall, to one composed 

 of particular kinds of stone, or to that which is sunk in clay. 

 Brick walls, however, are most esteemed. [Dampness of 

 stone or brick walls may be entirely obviated in the drier 

 climate of America, and warmth gained in winter, and cool- 

 ness in summer, by running the roof over the gable ends and 

 sides of the building about two feet, as in the Italian or old 

 French style. Dampness may also be prevented inside, 

 by furrowing out from the walls, and lath and plastering ; 

 but this is too expensive for stables ; nor does it accomplish 

 the same objects as jutting roofs ; and, moreover, the hollow 

 space makes a harbor for vermin, which is a very great ob- 

 jection to it.] In towns or other places where the ground is 

 likely in a short time to become too valuable for stables, brick 

 is the least expensive material, and it brings the highest price 

 when pulled down. A brick wall is usually recommended to 

 be hollow, and thirteen and a half, or eighteen inches thick. 

 Thus built, it is said to exclude the heat of summer and the 

 cold of winter. Few, however, are made thicker than nine 

 inches, and none hollow. It is a long time ere either cold 

 or heat pierces a nine -inch wall ; but a thick wall affords re- 

 cesses for racks, cupboards, and shelves, and, in exposed 

 situations, it certainly keeps the stable comfortable through a 

 severe winter. 



The inside of the walls is sometimes left bare, but most 

 frequently it is either plastered or boarded. All the stalls 

 ought to be lined with wood, boarded at the head for about 

 three feet above the manger ; and the wall forming one side 

 of the end stall should be boarded as high as the partitions. 

 Sometimes the back wall is boarded all round to the height 

 of four or five feet. A few of the more costly kind, which 

 are built of freestone, are polished on the inside as on the 

 out. As far as the horse is concerned, it is sufficient to have 

 the wall neatly and smoothly dressed off. Plaster is apt to 

 break, to blister, and fall away. The wooden lining round 

 the lower part of the wall is more durable, and when the 

 upper part is plastered, the stable has a cleaner, more finished, 

 and more comfortable appearance. The parts against which 

 the horse is likely to come in contact when rising, lying down, 

 or turning, ought to be smooth and soft, not calculated to 

 bruise or ruffle his skin. 



Doors. — A stable should have only one door. [This is 

 not enough. They should have a door at each end, for the 

 sake of a draught of air when necessary. The stables are 



