4 Stable Management and the Prevention of Disease 



Before the last layer is rammed, a quantity of the kankar 

 should be made into a thin mortar and spread over the 

 surface so as to fill all crevices, as recommended above when 

 speaking of clay floors. After it is rammed, some more should 

 be smeared on to make it quite smooth. 



Composition of Kankae. 



Kankar, as found in the soil, is composed of nodules of 

 chalk, in which a small quantity of clay is naturally mingled. 

 The amount of clay may be guessed by the colour. When it 

 is small, the kankar is almost white. "When of this colour it 

 should be mixed with clay in equal proportions to form the 

 flooring. After a floor is formed, it should be left untouched 

 for several weeks — five or six if possible. It wiU then solidify 

 and harden, and will last much longer than if horses are 

 picketed upon it at an earlier date. 



Slope of Flooes. 



A certain amount of slope is necessary in order that rain 

 may run off freely ; but three inches from front to rear in a 

 floor twelve feet wide are quite sufficient. Floors are usually 

 made with a much greater slope, the consequences of which 

 are that the horses stand with their back-sinews uncomfort- 

 ably stretched, and that rain runs off with such rapidity as 

 gradually to cut deep channels and render the surface un- 

 even. 



The stamping of the horses during the rainy season causes 

 the ground, particularly under the hind-feet, to be worked 

 into holes. To remedy this it is the custom to pave such 

 spots with bricks or stones. Care should be taken to remove 

 them after the rains have ceased, otherwise urine wUl collect 

 underneath and decompose. 



Government Stables. 



Government stables in India are buUt by the Public 

 Works Department, and usually consist of little else than a 

 Toof supported by iron or masonry pillars. This is all that is 

 required, or that is even advantageous during a great part of 



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