i804- 0^l the Propriety of Bruiftng Oati, 425 



TO THE CONDUCTOR OF THE FARMER's MAGAZINE. 



On the Propriety of Bnnfing Oats with a Machine^ for fi:ch Horfis 



as do not Grind them fuffcienliy with their Teeth. 

 SfR. 



Having fome time ago hearri the above fiibjt(£l clil'i:uP.Vcl in a fo- 

 ciety of refpe£lable farmers, I Wiis rather furprifec) to Hnd much 

 difference of opinion, on a queftion which might have been fo 

 eafily decided by experiment. 



It was contended by fome, that oats vegetated on a dunghill, 

 after palling whole through the ftomach of a horfe. And, on 

 the other hand, it was dated, that although whole oats were to 

 be found in horfe-dung, they had parted with their farinaceous 

 and nutritive properties in their pafTage through the hoiie, and 

 were become either empty huflcs, or contained only an iniignifi- 

 cant portion of mucilage, without any power of vegetation •, 

 and that the oats growing on dunghills were fuch as hail fallen 

 from the horfes' mouths while feeding. 



I beg leave to ftate, that I accidentally noticed a Xix^^^ei quan- 

 tity of whole oats in fome dung jufh pailed from a horfe, and, 

 upon examining them, they appeared to be quite found : I there> 

 upon had the dung mixed with mouKl in a garden- pot, and, in 

 about a fortnight, the oats began to vegetate very freely, and 

 are at this time two or three inches above ground. 



It is not convenient to me to follow up this experiment, and 

 I therefore confine my rtatement to faying, that oats have vege- 

 tated aft&r paffng through one of my horfes. 



This facl: muit have been repeatedly afcertained ; but as it is 

 by no«means generally received, you may think it worth while 

 to take further notice of it ; and fince it is conneded with very 

 important confideration« in the branch of agriculture relative to 

 feeding, it cannot be too frequently imprefled on your readers. 



From the above, I am induced to fuggeft the utility of bruif- 

 ing all grain that is to be given to horfes, fo as the full benefit 

 of the nutritive matter therein contained may be procured. I 

 am, yours, &c. T. iV. P, 



TO THE CONDUCTOR OF THE FARMEr's MAGAZINE. 



Thoughts on the ^anttty of Grain required to Seed a 

 Scotch Acre of Land. 

 Sir, 



Encouraged by the favourable reception of my former let- 

 ters under different fignatures, I again venture to addrefs you, 



-£ e 4 refpedin^ 



