Food, srs 



It is certainly possible, however, that, (independently of the cir- 

 cumstance of its becoming drier by keeping) some slight chemical 

 change nmy take place in the seed, upon which the superior nutritious 

 quality of old corn, over new, may depend. The use of maize, or 

 Indian corn, for Horses is but little known in these counldes, 

 yet it is given to them in many parts of the world, and it is found to 

 be highly nutritious, chiefly, I presume, from the starch which it 

 contains. Of its other nutritious principles 1 can say nothing, as no 

 complete analysis of this seed, as far as I know, has been published 

 by any Chemist. Of the pulses, none are commonly used for the 

 food of Horses in these Islands, except beans, which are esteemed 

 highly nourishing, and are given in England, chiefly to such as under- 

 go very severe and regular labour. 



When beans are given to Horses, they are generally mixed 

 with oats, and it is a commonly received opinion that they are apt to 

 produce costiveness in all Horses that do not get regular work. The 

 austere astringent taste of this pulse, seems to give a reasonable 

 colour to this popular notion. Beans ought always to be crushed - 

 before they be given to Horses. ; 



Carrots are given largely to Horses in many parts of England, and 

 very decisive evidence of their nutritious properly has been furnished 

 by many practical agriculturists. 



There can be little doubt that the nutritious property of carrots 

 depends, almost solely, upon the sugar they contain, for although this 

 root is found to consist of only 98 parts in 1000, of nutriiive ingre- 

 dients, yet, of these, 95 are found to be saccharine matter. 

 Mr. Curvven in his tract on the steaming of potatoes, says, he has 

 found, by giving five pounds of carrots to each of his colliery Horses 

 daily, he can take otf four pounds of oats, and he adds, this keeps 



