Xlii SCREWS ARE EFFECTIVE. 



• 



and that after a few times the thread in the horn will be worn 

 smooth. That it is effective I know from the tenacity with which 

 the live horn will hold even a smaller screw than those which are 

 used ; and if the screw is driven home there is not motion enough to 

 cause it to lose its hold. Those that I have tried have demonstrated 

 this view to be correct, inasmuch as on two occasions the quarter- 

 boot slipped, and the screw still held the weight in place. Although 

 I have used mine for some time before date of the patent which covers 

 the fastening with screws to the horn, it is probably an infringe- 

 ment, and in describing it it must not be considered a warrant 

 for others to use it. I took a piece of sheet brass, an eighth 

 of an inch in thickness, and cut it into the form I wanted. It 

 is something of the shape of an oval with a continuation be- 

 low to the desired length. If the design was to have the weight low 

 on the foot it was short, and if high, long. Near the bottom a hole 

 is made for the screw to go through, the corresponding hole in the 

 horn being from a quarter to half an inch above the junction of the 

 horn and tip. The desired weight, made of the same sheet brass or 

 thicker copper is riveted to the oval-shaped part, having the same 

 concavity to fit the convexity of the hoof. The part next the foot is 

 carried up nearly to the coronet, and an outside strip is also made of 

 the same length. The object of this is to form a slot through which 

 the lower strap of the quarter-boot is passed, and the upper strap is 

 run through a leather loop constructed as follows : Being impressed 

 with the idea that there should be some elastic material between the 

 weight and the foot, a piece of leather of the same shape, though 

 covering rather more surface, is used for lining, the rivets which fasten 

 the plates together holding it, and the upper part is turned over back 

 to the rivet, forming the loop. This is to have a softer material 

 near the coronet than the metal. The quarter-boot must be made 

 with double straps and to cover a part of the heel so as to insure it 

 from slipping down. The strajjs are buckled when the weight is 

 higher on the foot than it is to be worn, and then pushed down so 

 that the screw can be introduced. Notwithstanding the added thick- 

 ness of the leather lining the longest screw I have used has been 

 five-eighths of an inch, No. 9, and in most instances one-half an inch 



