by the iron rim made as level as possible by the rasp; the surface of the sole destined to rest on this horny bed should also be made perfectly level and smooth."

"The shoe should be so molded that it will be an exact reproduction in outline of the circumference of the hoof.

For fast traveling horses, the shoes, especially the front ones, should not project back of the foot, and the ends should be carefully rounded so that the animal will be in no danger of stepping on them with his other feet. In draft horses it is sometimes an advantage to have the shoes project slightly back of the foot.

To insure the perfect fitting of the shoe to the foot, it should be fitted in a hot state. The two systems of fitting shoes, in a hot or cold state, has been severely tested, and the result is that cold fitting is almost never used. The evil supposed to arise from hot fitting are purely imaginary, for when any are apparent they can easily be traced to the operation of other causes, not the least of which is paring the lower face of the foot.

The great objection to cold fitting is that the shoe cannot be made to fit closely, and hence will not be at all comfortable to the horse, and will soon become loose. It requires much more time to put on the shoe.

"In hot fitting we have none of these objections. The shoe is very readily adapted to the foot; it is more equally applied, and rests solidly on the hoof, so that the nails are not broken or displaced by the shoe becoming loose." It is the only way that so perfect a fit can be obtained that the shoe shall bear equally on every portion of the hoof.

The very fact of burning or fusing the ends of the fibers insures a solid, durable bed, which cannot be obtained otherwise, as this destroys the spongy, absorbent properties of the horn, and renders it less affected by moisture.

Horn is so slow a conductor of heat that several minutes are needed to produce any change in temperature, at even a

short distance, while the hot shoe needs to be kept in contact with the hoof but a few seconds.

The shoe should be fitted at a red heat, as this is far more effective in producing a solid, level surface.

The nails should not be unnecessarily large, as is often the case, but well proportioned to the size of the shoe. The heads should be just large enough to fill the nail-hole when driven in firmly. It is scarcely necessary to add that the nails, like the shoe, should always be of the best material. In driving the nails, every one should be made to pass through sound horn. It is a mistake to place them where the horn is broken, or in old nail-holes. Care should be exercised that the nail be directed so that it will come out at the right place the first time. Driving the nails through the hoof, even once, is an injury, and if it be so carelessly done that the nail must be withdrawn and put in a new place, the injury is proportionately increased. A short, thick hold of the wall is better than a thin, long one. If possible, no more horn should be included within the grasp of the nail than is likely to be removed at the next shoeing. By this means the wall is constantly kept sound.

"Where the wall is thin, as at the quarters and heels of the fore foot, smaller and more slender nails should be used, and these not drawn so tightly. The toe nails should be driven up tight. The points having been twisted off, they should then be drawn up by the pincers, the ends filed off to a proper length, and then the clenches laid down evenly on the face of the wall.

"The rasp removes the little barb of horn raised in drawing up the nail but without making a notch." No more rasping or cutting should be allowed on any pretense whatever.

The clips when used should now be applied close to the hoof but never driven into the hoof.

Horses should be re-shod in from four to six weeks, but if

they could go without shoes for a portion of the summer they would be greatly benefited thereby.

It will be readily seen that the observance of these few rules would greatly simplify the operation of shoeing, and the result would be a great saving of time and expense, in addition to the advantages we have mentioned in the preservation of the health of our horses' feet.

Let us briefly recapitulate and see how simple a matter it is and how few rules to be remembered.

In preparing the hoof for the shoe nothing but the wall is to be cut in any way, and only the extra growth taken from the wall, which will be just down to a level with the sole.

The shoe to be as light as possible, perfectly flat and level its whole width on the foot surface, and flat or slightly beveled on the ground face. To be made to fit the foot perfectly, and fitted hot, so that it shall press evenly on the wall and so much of the sole as may be necessary.

The nails to be as few and as small as possible, and made to fill the hole in the shoe exactly.

That calkins are necessary only in the most icy state of the roads, but when used to be put on both heels and toe.

There you have the whole matter in a nutshell; any one can remember it, and almost any one can apply the rules, if they will, which is quite an important item in these days of poor workmen.

I am convinced that the application of these simple principles would save many dollars in money, many hours in time and an untold amount of suffering in our good beasts.

FARMING IN THE UPPER PENINSULA.

Hon. H. G. Wells, President State Board of Agriculture:

MY DEAR SIR-Appreciating the interest you take in the agricultural progress of the State of Michigan, I beg leave to call your attention to the fact that that portion of that commonwealth, known as the "Upper Peninsula," has never received recognition at the hands of the State "Patrons of Husbandry." This is owing, no doubt, to the popular idea that the resources of this "far off" region come only from the "bowels of the earth." It is true the prominent business of that section of our State is directed mainly in the channels of mining for copper and iron; but while great attention has been-and is still-given to the production of these useful metals, the farming cababilities,-if I may be allowed the expression, of the country have been sufficiently tested to warrant the belief that under a system of thorough husbandry, certain cereals, together with hay, potatoes, and what would come under the head of "garden esculents," can be produced up there to advantage. In the way of approximate intelligent farming in the Upper Peninsula, Ontonagon is ahead of all other counties in that region. In that locality wheat, oats, barley, corn, potatoes, apples, etc., etc., etc., thrive well, even in the face of a disregard for well known laws governing the economies of husbandry.

Since the introduction of railroads in Marquette and Houghton counties, the two most thickly settled and prosperous districts in the Upper Peninsula, a large number of acres of excellent farming lands have been made available,

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which only require the assistance of the skilled and industrious tiller of the soil to make them yield handsome profits. Hay raised in the Upper Peninsula is far superior to any imported into that country; while the potatoes produced "up north" are equal to any grown in the world. A valuable feature in connection with farming in the Northern Peninsula is found in the fact that a good home market awaits the farmer, who can always obtain the highest price for his products.

I regret, exceedingly, that I have not at hand fuller data, touching this subject; still, if this hurried and ill-prepared note will serve to call attention to one of the best and least appreciated farming regions in the northwest, I shall feel satisfied. Truly yours, etc.,

LANSING, Mich., Sept. 3d, 1873.

J. R. DEVERAUX.