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THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE ART OF 
HORSE-SHOEING. 
Horse-shoeing as now practised in this country is generally ad- 
mitted to be in a very backward state. The farriers as a body 
are sadly ignorant of the essential principles of their art, and valu- 
able horses are often liable to be injured in consequence. The 
Worshipful Company of Farriers of London, who have recently been 
associated with the Society's Horse-shoeing Competitions, have just 
formulated an important national scheme for the improvement of 
Farriery by the examination and registration of shoeing smiths. 
The following are its chief provisions : — 
(1.) The holding simultaneously throughout the country of theo- 
retical and practical examinations in Horse-shoeing, and the registra- 
tion of the successful examinees in a general register ; those gaining 
the certificates of registration to have the sole privilege of using after 
their names the letters R.S.S. (Registered Shoeing Smith). 
(2.) The opening in connection with existing technical schools 
of classes for theoretical and practical instruction in the art of 
Farriery ; or, whei*e no such schools exist, the provision of instruction 
by duly qualified persons. 
(3.) The establishment of Apprenticeship Funds, out of which 
premiums may be advanced to apprentices, repayable during the 
currency of their indentures. 
Farriers, whether masters or journeymen, established in the 
trade prior to the opening of the register need not necessarily 
undergo examination, but may be registered on satisfactory proof 
of their fitness according to circumstances. 
To carry out these provisions, it is proposed to appoint a General 
Registration Committee in London, consisting of ten Members of 
the Worshipful Company, six Members of the Royal Agricultural 
Society, six Members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, 
two Members of the Amalgamated Farriers' Union, and a limited 
number of representatives from subscribing public bodies. For 
country districts the scheme will be applied by Provincial Com- 
mittees, subject to the control of the General Registration Com- 
mittee in London. The whole scheme, having been carefully revised 
by a joint conference of representatives of the Royal Agricultural 
Society, the Worshipful Company of Farriers, and the Royal 
College of Veterinary Surgeons, has now received their final ap- 
proval ; and all that is required in order to insure its success is the 
practical sympathy and support of the public, which it is proposed 
to ask for at a meeting at the Mansion House to be held in the 
Bpring. There is no doubt that the scheme, if properly worked, 
will import a healthy competition into the trade of Farriery, will 
