2o THROUGH STABLE AND SADDLE-ROOM. 



temperature are better maintained. In stables 

 especially, where such is easily obtainable, flint and 

 stone appear to me to be excellent, nor can I think 

 that there can be anything better suited for the 

 purpose; and it has the advantage of being very 

 enduring and pleasant to look at, and, I should say, 

 is as well-nigh impervious to damp as it can be. 



An equable temperature is what should be con- 

 sidered as of the first importance in a stable, and it 

 is impossible to maintain such if the building itself 

 is composed of thin walls of a porous texture. 



Of whatever substance the walls of a stable may 

 be, they should be lined inside. For this purjDOse 

 cement painted is the best. I do not say that I 

 like its appearance as well as a wooden match - 

 boarding ; but it is, I think, healthier and cleaner, 

 and more easily kept clean, than woodwork. It is 

 also safer, not only from being uninflammable, but 

 also because, in the case of a horse kicking, there 

 is no danger from splinters of wood, etc. , and it offers 

 less inducement for a horse to gnaw and contract 

 the vice of crib-biting. I am myself a strong ad- 

 vocate for as little woodwork as possible being- 

 used inside a stable, for these reasons. As regards 

 the cemented walls being healthier there can be 

 no possible doubt, as it is obvious that woodwork 

 would be more likely to retain impurities. 



