ON THE PAVEMENT OF ROADS AND STABLES. 245 
not help imagining that the surface seems not likely to afford 
for horses’ feet and legs — and surely these are things that ought 
to be considered — the most proper or agreeable tread they can 
have. 
Supposing the projectors and admirers of wood pavements fail 
in divesting them of their slippery properties, and that the in- 
habitants of the streets are unwilling to bear the expense of any 
undertaking which, it is admitted, would prove a remedy for the 
evil, veterinarians and farriers appear called on to devise some al- 
teration in shoeing that may tend either to diminish or counter- 
act the tendency of the horse to slip. Naturally enough, we re- 
sort to the same means we are in the habit of employing for the 
prevention of slipping in frosty weather. Although frost-nails, 
however, might carry a horse ten or even twenty miles along 
the road with safety, everybody knows that, by that time, iheir 
heads would be worn down, and no longer serviceable as stops or 
checks against slipping. Caulkings will wear down likewise, 
but nothing like in the same rapid manner; and though they are 
liable to objections on account of the elevated and unnatural po- 
sition in which they throw the foot in the standing posture, still, 
under all the circumstances of the case, I cannot help viewing 
them, when made broad and square, and not too high, as the best 
contrivances we can adopt for the prevention of slipping, for 
horses in general, working upon London streets, and particularly 
for horses employed in heavy and laborious draught. Mr. Friend, 
V.S., Walsall, some time ago, sent me for trial a shoe of this 
description, with the addition of a piece of sole-leather extending 
across the heels of the shoe, to which it was affixed by two rivets 
upon either side, and reaching forward enough to cover about 
two-thirds of the frog ; the advantages presented by it being a 
broader and firmer, and consequently less objectionable, stand- 
ing for the fore foot, a saving of the wear of the caulkings, and a 
surer means of saving the horse from slipping. This seems to be 
all that the farrier’s art has hitherto accomplished, and all, pro- 
bably, that is likely to be done, if, as our present opinion inclines, 
before many years have elapsed we shall see the wood pavements 
replaced by granite, but by granite better prepared and more 
scientifically laid down than has hitherto been the case. 
Along with the improvements that are making in the pavement of 
streets and the construction of roads, we cannot deny that stables 
have evinced signs of amelioration in their flooring, though the 
progress towards amendment has neither been so rapid nor so 
general as we could have desired. Such favourites are our horses 
with us, that our earnest wish is that their abodes should be 
