148 iiitJing to f^ountJ^. 



may with advantage do should the day have been a 

 hard one and the journey still before you long, 

 see that the oatmeal is mixed first in cold water, and 

 the warm subsequently added, as, if the reverse 

 process is adopted, it will be both lumpy and indi- 

 gestible. Should you, too, deem it desirable to put 

 him on the straw for a few minutes, you will do 

 well to — if far from home — remove his bridle, and 

 give him, in addition, a few mouthsful of sweet hay 

 or clover. A tired horse will pick such over more 

 readily than he would encounter any more solid food, 

 such as oats, peas, or beans, and it will answer the 

 purpose equally well, or better, in such a case. 



And nov\^ I must allude to a subject which, in order 

 of importance, ranks very differently to the position 

 I have for convenience allotted to it in my notes. 

 Be most careful when out hunting to do as little 

 damage as possible. Avoid riding over wheat, seeds, 

 vetches, beans, and other crops, as far as you can ; 

 use your best endeavours to prevent stock from 

 straying, and to such intent, if "last man " (as I trust 

 you may not be), close all gates through which you 

 may pass, and be particularly careful in latching 

 such as open on to lanes or highways. If you possess 

 one, moreover, instruct your second horseman to do 

 likewise, and, in addition, to wait hack (as he often 

 may without detriment to your interests) to do so 



