FOOIK 405 



of the mingled chaff and corn. We would, however, caution the farmer not 

 to set apart too much damaged hay for the manufacture of the chaff. The 

 horse may be thus induced to eat that which he would otherwise refuse ; but if 

 the nourishing property of the hay has been impaired, or it has acquired an 

 injurious principle, the animal will either lose condition, or become diseased. 

 Much more injury is done by eating damaged hay or musty oats than is generally 

 imagined. There will be sufficient saving in the diminished cost of the pro- 

 vender by the introduction of the straw, and the improved condition of the 

 horse, without poisoning him with the refuse of the farm. For old horses, and 

 for those with defective teeth, chaff is peculiarly useful, and for them the grain 

 should be broken down as well as the fodder. 



While the mixture of chaff with the corn prevents it from being too 

 rapidly devoured and a portion of it swallowed whole* and therefore the stomach 

 is not too loaded with that on which, as containing the most nutriment, its chief 

 digestive power should be exerted, yet, on the whole, a great deal of time is 

 gained by this mode of feeding, and more is left for rest. When a horse comes 

 in wearied at the close of the day, it occupies, after he has eaten his corn, two 

 or three hours to clear his rack. On the system of manger-feeding, the chaff 

 being already cut into small pieces, and the beans and oats bruised, he is able 

 fully to satisfy his appetite in an hour and a half. Two additional hours are 

 therefore devoted to rest. This is a circumstance deserving of much considera- 

 tion even in the farmer's stable, and of immense consequence to the postmaster, 

 the stage-coach proprietor, and the owner of every hard- worked horse. 



Manger food will be the usual support of the farmer's horse during the winter, 

 and while at constant or occasional hard work ; but from the middle of 

 April to the end of July, he may be fed with this mixture in the day and turned 

 out at night, or he may remain out during every rest-day. A team in con- 

 stant employ should not, however, be suffered to be out at at night after the end 

 of July. 



The farmer should take care that the pasture is thick and good ; and that the 

 distance from the yard is not too great, or the fields too large, otherwise a very 

 considerable portion of time will be occupied in catching the horses in the 

 morning. He will likewise have to take into consideration the sale he would 

 have for his hay, and the necessity for sweet and untrodden pasture for his cattle. 

 On the whole, however, turning out in this way, when circumstances will admit 

 of it, will be found to be more beneficial for the horse, and cheaper than soiling 

 in the yard*. 



The horse of the inferior farmer is sometimes fed on hay or grass alone, and 



* Professor Stewart thus sums up the "Chaff is more easily eaten than hay. Tim 



comparative advantages of chaff and racked is an advantage to old horses and others work* 



feeding : ing all day a disadvantage when the horse? 



" Where the stablemen are careful, waste stand long in the stable. 



of fodder is diminished, but not prevented, by " Chaff insures complete mastication and de- 



feeding from the manger. liberate digestion of the corn. It is of con- 



" Where the racks are good, careful stable- siderable, and of most importance in this 



men may prevent nearly all waste of fodder respect. All the fodder needs not to be 



without cutting it. mingled with the corn, one pound of chart 



" An accurate distribution of the fodder is being sufficient to secure the mastication and 



not a very important object. slow ingestion of four pounds of com. 



" No horse seems to like his corn the better " The cost of cutting all the fodder, especially 



for being mingled with chaff. for heavy horses, is repaid only when hay is 



"Among half-starved horses chaff-cutting dear, and wasted in large quantities, 



promotes the consumption of damaged fodder. " Among hard-working horses bad food 



" Full-fed horses, rather than eat the mix- should never be cut." 1 Stewart's Stable 



ture of sound with unsound, will reject the Economy, p. 225. 

 whole, or eat less than their work demands. 



II H 



