SUGGESTIONS AS TO FOOD 279 



certain foods not *yet embraced within the list of stable- 

 fare, and to their qualities ; leaving to others of greater 

 judgment and experience the choice and manner of their 

 use. Indian corn may be given in combination with rye, 

 the laxative properties of the former assisting the diges- 

 tion in extracting the nutritious qualities of the latter. 

 Holcus saccharine is considered feeding, is palatable, 

 and is generally given in cases of mental weakness. 

 Potatoes and arrowroot, from the starch they contain, 

 are nearly allied to cereals, which they might often 

 beneficially supersede. Cow-cabbage or drumhead, by 

 which name it is better known to the rustics on which 

 sheep and kine do so well, must Jiave cooling properties, 

 and great results may be confidently looked for from the 

 extensive use of this esculent. Again, lettuces, radishes, 

 celery, and mustard-and-cress are appetizing to a delicate 

 stomach ; and the onion and leek, so beloved of man in 

 their raw state, would probably become palatable to the 

 equine tribe when accustomed to their use; just as 

 donkeys, from an acquired taste, give the preference to 

 the thistle. Artichokes, vegetable marrows, spinach, 

 and asparagus, with many well-known garden products, 

 will occur to mind as edibles that may be given to horses 

 without any fear of ill-results, and indeed with the full 

 expectation of producing some extraordinary benefit. 



I have now only to offer with becoming diffidence a 

 suggestion which, it appears to me, has to this time 

 unaccountably eluded the observation of those who give 

 their powerful intellects to the study of the wants of the 

 racehorse. For centuries past nothing whatever has been 

 added to water as their beverage. We know that wine 

 and spirits have been given neat to horses just before 

 running a race, with extraordinary effect. But why not 

 give them at other times, or mix them in palatable pro- 



