312 AGRICULTURE 



shown that the time of watering is not highly important. 

 If horses come from the field thirsty, it is reasonable to 

 suppose that they will relish their meal better if they have 

 had a drink. If the feed consists largely of dry roughage 

 it also seems best to water before feeding. Whatever sys- 

 tem is adopted should be followed regularly, as changing 

 about often injures the appetite or produces some other de- 

 rangement. Horses should never be given a large amount 

 of water when highly heated from working or driving. 



TOPICS FOR INVESTIGATION 



1. What breeds of horses are favored in your region? 

 Let each student find out just what breeds are represented 

 in the horses on his home farm, with the percentage of 

 pure-bred blood in each animal. Sum up the results for the 

 entire district. 



2. If it costs fifteen dollars more to sire from pure-bred 

 than grade horses, what would be the net gain by using 

 pure-bred rather than grade sires in raising for market two 

 teams and selling them at four years of age on the basis 

 shown in the table or page 302 ? 



3. After studying the score-card for judging draft 

 horses and judging one or more animals under the direc- 

 tion of the teacher, judge independently at least two other 

 horses, having your work tested and criticized by the 

 teacher or other competent judge. 



4. Master thoroughly the list of defects common to 

 horses, and then watch for an example of each on dif- 

 ferent animals until you have learned to identify any un- 

 soundness at sight. Examine carefully each horse at your 

 home for unsoundness. 



5. Write a detailed account of the care that should be 

 given a working team each day, including stall, feeding, 

 watering, cleaning, blanketing, and so on. 



6. Weigh the ordinary daily ration fed one of your 

 working horses and compare with the rations suggested in 



