BEDDING. 413 



They are fit only for keeping a horse in a rough state, and 

 cannot be recommended for use in a private stable. They 

 are put up in bales weighing about 100 pounds and cost 

 $ioper ton in New York. 



SAWDUST. 



" Sawdust makes an excellent bed, and in many places it may be obtained 

 at half the cost of straw. About 100 pounds per week is sufficient to keep 

 up a bed for one horse. Care must, however, be taken to entirely remove 

 and renew the sawdust at least once a week. Sawdust is an absorbent of 

 urine and also a deodorizer. From this latter quality its impure state is 

 often not recognized." F. Fitzwygram, " Horses and Stables" p. 95. 



LEAVES. 



Leaves make an excellent bedding for country stables, 

 but from their untidy appearance are limited in their use. 

 They are desirable as a fertilizer after being thus used, and 

 are more economical than any other article of the same 

 efficiency. 



TURF. 



Turf has been tried to the writer's knowledge in Europe, 

 in times of scarcity of straw, with fair results. It is not 

 recommended for the private stables except in special or 

 emergency cases. 



BARLEY STRAW. 



Barley straw should never be used, as it acts as an irri- 

 tant to the skin and causes bad coats. Meadow and marsh 

 hay are likewise objectionable, and if eaten by a horse are 

 conducive to colic and diseases of the organs of respiration. 

 The existence of the latter effect is made evident by a hack- 

 ing cough, impaired use of the lungs, and the horse becomes 

 logy if allowed to eat it. 



