28 STABLE MANAGEMENT. 



to make the " syces " and " grass-cutters " pluck the 

 leaves off the branches altogether, and not leave 

 them about the stable, for fear of wounding the 

 horses. This they will readily do, as they use the 

 debris for fuel. I have seen some bad cuts and 

 injuries in both men and animals from the edges of 

 the split bamboo, which are very sharp so much so 

 that the savage tribes on the eastern frontier use a 

 properly split piece of bamboo for a knife in skinning 

 animals ; and the sap of the green bamboo appears 

 to have a peculiarly irritating or poisonous action, 

 a wound caused by it festering and suppurating in 

 both man and beast, whereas one inflicted with a 

 dry bamboo will heal up healthy. Horses require 

 a larger amount of bamboo leaves than grass. If an 

 animal is getting 20 Ibs. of green "dhoob " grass daily, 

 he will require 30 Ibs. of bamboo leaves to keep him 

 in condition. Although at first horses may refuse 

 them, they take to them kindly after a little while. 



Oat Hay Forage. 



In the South African colonies grass hay is almost 

 unknown. The oat is cut when about half ripe, 

 dried, and given in the straw, in which condition it 

 is known as forage, and is excellent feeding. It is 

 usually sold in bundles, wholesale at so much per 



