72 TIPS AND TOE-WEIGHTS. 



the heel of the shoe was made wide enough to cover the whole space 

 between the frog and the wall. It was made thin in order that the 

 foot might be kept level, as well as permitting the frog to perform 

 its functions. Only one side was fettered, and even that free in 

 comparison with the rigid embrace of the full shoe. It is well 

 known that, owing to the thinness of the horn on the inner side of 

 the foot, there is a far greater degree of elasticity in that portion, 

 and even if the outer was somewhat bound, much of the injurious 

 result of conti-action is obviated. Much stress has been laid on the 

 propriety of resti'icting the nailing to the anterior part of the wall, 

 and it is certainly a better plan than to drive them further back. 

 The friction, however, between the wall and the iron soon wears a 

 depression, and this prevents the expansion in a great measure. 

 With the full shoe the two grooves are nearly equivalent to back 

 nailing, and the posterior part of the wall is held together as though 

 it were locked in a vise. A glance at the engraving will show that 

 the weight of the animal, when thrown on the foot, will have the 

 effect of increasing the expansion of the inner quai-ter, and the deli- 

 cate mechanism enclosed in the horny covering will have nearly as 

 much room as in the natural state. The frog is employed, and the 

 labor keeps it in health. This has been the savior of the Goode- 

 nough shoe, and has kept it in use notwithstanding the serious 

 defects which mar it. People sneer at the preface to the advertise- 

 ment, and chuckle over the alliterative phrase, " No frog, no foot ; 

 no foot, no horse." Bu.t this has been the redeeming trait, and the 

 inventor is worthy of great credit for insisting on permitting this 

 important organ to do the duty it was intended to perform. Mr. 

 Goodenough came very near adopting the right method, and had he 

 battled with the same persistency for a still closer adherence to 

 nature he would have accomplished more than he has. Perhaps not. 

 In that case he would have met with a greater degree of stubborn- 

 ness, and the whole rejected, whereas it is about the only improvement 

 which has had any favor ; it has held its own in the face of ignorant 

 opposition, and opposition which was characterized by scenes which 

 were strangely in contrast with any degi*ee of common sense. In 

 Chicago, some eight years ago, many of the journeymen blacksmiths 



