826 ARMY FARRIERS AND SHOEING SMITHS. 
Constant observation warrants us in saying that, under the 
present system, many shoeing smiths cannot push their abili- 
ties past a certain point, but, if they will be patient, time and 
conduct will effect for them what conduct and qualifications 
(abilities) effect for others. Our idea of the standard for 
these men to attain to will call for a better primary educa- 
tion, followed by a special course of instruction and syste- 
matic training, outside either battery or regiment, commenced 
in youth, when the candidate is more susceptible to impres- 
sions, and when he would be more likely to profit by the 
rudimentary principles imparted by his instructors, who 
should be specially appointed. 
Mature age, when suddenly taxed, is always opposed to the 
easy acquirement of knowledge, no matter from what source 
it may come, what its chief characteristics are, or to what 
class of men, as beginners, it may be directed. We may 
further observe that, if special ends are to be obtained, means 
more than ordinary in their nature must be resorted to. 
When a shoeing- smith is eligible for promotion, he should 
be in possession of a certain amount of that knowledge which 
ought to belong to the rank of farrier ; the rule, however, 
has a contrary tendency, and presents him incompetent in a 
veterinary medical point of view. Ordinary means, in this 
instance, have not wrought a special end, neither have they 
even tended to prepare him for the responsibilities of the next 
grade. 
In July, 1869, a shoeing smith was recommended for pro- 
motion ; in November of the same year he was not recom- 
mended , as he was “ not sufficiently experienced in April, 
1870, and since then up to the present time, he has been 
recommended. Now, were we consulted, he would not be 
considered fit for a higher appointment. Surely this para- 
graph will bear commenting upon. 
Another shoeing smith has been recommended for two and 
a half years, and was in 1868 ee quite qualified in every 
respect for promotion.” We should feel some compunction 
in saying so, though we respect the recommendation. He 
has been officiating as farrier for six months of the time, and 
is, even now, decidedly unfit for what he was supposed to be 
in the early part of 1868. The above facts will tend to show 
the absurdity of the present system ; they may, too, supply 
us with certain suggestions conducive to improvement. 
In most parts of India laborious work is conducted in the 
mornings and evenings, and it is only at these times that a 
shoeing smith can work with any degree of comfort ; and so 
much of his time is demanded in the forge, that to give any 
