• The Question Box. 249 



To Mr. Fenner. — Do you plow your potato ground more than once? 



Answer. — No, sir; we do not plow it but once. In Erie county 

 we do not farm for amusement. But we fit the ground well; then 

 thoroughly cultivate the crop. 



HORSES. 



When should a horse be watered, and how much should he have? 



Dr. Smead. — As a rule, when the horse wants water let him 

 have it, using good judgment in the amount he takes and the con- 

 dition he is in. If he is very thirsty and hot, allow him to drink 

 but a few swallows at a time, but have the intervals short. I 

 never saw the horse nor the time when I would not give him some 

 water. Exercise the same judgment you would with yourself. 

 If a man or woman is wise, they will take a swallow or two, at a 

 time, at intervals. You may crave a quart, but do not drink it. 

 The stomach of the horse holds but about three gallons, so it is of 

 no use to allow him to swallow more; if he does it will not pass 

 through the stomach. 



Should horses have a hay ration before eating their grain? 



Dr. Smead. — As a rule, yes, as the coarse food already eaten 

 will prevent the grain compacting in the stomach. At the same 

 time it will be more easily digested than if fed before the hay 

 ration is eaten. 



Is rye a good food for horses? 



Dr. Smead. — I may run afoul of a snag, but I shall say no. If 

 I had rye I would sell it and buy something else. It is not at all 

 suited to the ordinary horse. 



Would you grind oats? 



Dr. Smead. — Not, if the horse had good grinders. I would pre- 

 fer to let him do the grinding, instead of taking the oats to the 

 mill and take my chance of bringing him an indefinite quantity. 



Is thei'e anything better than good oats to feed horses, ordinarily, in 

 connection with timothy hay? 



Mr. Litchard. — I would take off a part of the oats and substi- 

 tute bran in place of them. The horse, like other animals, relishes 

 a variety, and will thrive better than when fed all the time on one 

 food. 



