CARE IN THE STABLE. 289 



he is old enough for the harness, and made to feel that 

 his master is his friend. Kind treatment will do much 

 to insure docility, and greatly enhance the value of the 

 animal for all practical purposes. 



854. Well-lighted barns and stables do much for the 

 general health and vigor of the animal system, and a full 

 supply of pure fresh air is as essential as food. Especially 

 is this the case for horses. 



855. But animals should not be exposed to currents of 

 air in the stalls. A chimney-shaped box opening near 

 the floor inside, and carried up and out under the eaves, 

 is thought to be a good mode of creating an outward 

 draught and purifying the air. 



856. The temperature&quot; of stables should be moderate, 

 neither very warm nor very cold. Great warmth in 

 them is unhealthy, and a considerable degree of cold 

 makes a larger quantity of food necessary to keep up the 

 natural animal heat. 



857. All animals should be treated with constant kind 

 ness. Nothing is so likely to overcome viciousness. The 

 horse, especially, is very sensitive, and if always gently 

 handled, will give his owner far less trouble, and will be 

 more easily managed and much more useful. 



858. There are several breeds of sheep, the best being 

 the South Downs and Cotswolds, which are generally sold 

 to the butcher for mutton or lamb, and the Merino which 

 furnishes the best wool. The Leicester sheep was very 

 highly prized at one time, and this breed or grades which 

 are known by the name of Leicesters, is thought well of 

 still, but the Cotswolds and the Downs have, to a consid 

 erable extent, taken their place in localities where sheep 

 are raised for the butcher. 



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