'^^] Onr Forage Crops. 5q, 



the skin will be healthy and the coat glossy ; their Inngs will be I^ 

 lable to injury from obstructions of the bronchial tubes, and their 

 wind will consequently be less affected by any unusual exertion in 

 travel; their feet and limbs, too, will be less liable to stiffen from the 

 reason that this kind of food, from its ease of digestion, elites no 

 teyer in the stomach and alimentary canal. By this expedient 

 therefore, now made easy by the improved cutting-box, the purpose 

 of ecomomy m forage is subserved and the health of our animals at 

 the same time promoted. 



Germain to this is the subject of corn-feeding. We in the Valley 

 region of the West are accustomed to resort to corn in the rearing 

 andfeedingof stock, to an extent that elsewhere is not even dreamed 

 ot. Corn is certainly among the most nutritious of grains: and on 

 account of the large percentage of oil in its constituteuts it is espe- 

 cial y suitable for fattening purposes, though in its muscle-makin.. 

 qualities it is not equal to oats. It is therefore, most appropriate 

 for stock-cattle and swine, and less valuable for horses. But, as we 

 desire a good coat of fat on onr horses for looks, as well as strength 

 of muscle for action, the better plan would seem to be to mix oats 

 and corn, or alternate them daily. This view, founded upon those 

 facts in science, ,s confirmed by the experience of the proprietors of 

 the New iork stage and omnibus lines employing about twelve hun- 

 dred horses as appears by their report to the ' Farmers' Club' of 

 that city; wherein they say that "horses do not keep fat so well on" 

 oats ^alone, ,f at hard labor, as on corn meal, or a ,«.•..„,. of tU 



This doctrine seems to be further corroborated by the practical 

 experience of Dr. Bigelow, of Attica, Indiana, give/by himTe f t 

 a letter bearing on this subject. Dr. Bigelow says : 



* "I am a great lover of horses— generally keep good 

 ones and do some fast driving in my business,°and noLe its effect 



here T , " v"" "'' '''" '™ '""' '" ''"■""'''■ ^"^^ '- 



here, I will g,ye you the result of my observation. Vermont horses 



Ue Its inhabitants, are almost invariably raised on plain diet, but ^ 



attet'co" ""r "\™'^*""'y -"hout having the ■ heaves,' :nd the 

 latte , consumption, they can beat the world for power of endurance. 

 The horses seldom see oats or any other grain, till they are old enough 



work and then 'mighty little,' as everything there must be doL 

 «p on the 'cheap The Indiana colts are generally allowed to eat, 

 all, or nearly all the corn they like, summer and winter, commencing 



