ILLUSTRATED GUIDE. 167 



in the summer, or sink below 40 or 50 degrees in the 

 winter. 



LITTER. 



Having spoken of the vapor of hartshorn, which is so 

 rapidly and so plentifully given out from the urine of the 

 horse in a heated stable, we next take into consideration 

 the subject of litter. The first caution is frequently to 

 remove it. The early extraction of gas shows the rapid 

 putrefaction of the U7-ine, the consequence of which 

 will be rapid putrefaction of the litter that has been mois- 

 tened by it. Everything hastening to decomposition 

 should be carefully removed where life and health are to 

 be preserved. The litter that has been much wetted or 

 at all softened by the urine, and is beginning to decay, 

 should be swept away every morning ; the greater part 

 of the remainder may then be piled under the manger, 

 a little being left to prevent the painful and injurious 

 pressure of the feet on the hard floor during the day. 

 The soiled and soaked portion of that which was left 

 should be removed at aight. In the better kind of sta- 

 bles, however, the stalls should be completely emptied 

 every morning. No heap of fermenting dung should be 

 suffered to remain during the day, in the corner, or- in 

 any part of the stable. With regard to this the direc- 

 tions of the master should be peremptory. The stable 

 should be so contrived that the urine shall quickly run 

 off and the offensive and injurious vapor from the decom- 

 posing fluid and the litter will thus be materially lessened ; 

 but if this is eff"ected by means of gutters and a descending 

 floor, the descent must be barely sufficient to cause the 

 fluid to escape; as, if the toes are kept higher than the 

 heels it will lead to lameness, and is also a frequent cause 



