38 DOilESTIC AND.[AI,S. 



striicted, as in summer to admit the greatest possible quantity of cool 

 air, and in winter to admit sufficient for the preservation of the purity 

 of the atmosphere, without running any risk from cold draughts. Care 

 must also be taken not to admit draughts of air near the horse's heels, 

 or diseased legs will be the result. Draughts cannot be too carefully 

 guarded against, nor is it requisite that such should occur, if a little 

 forethought only be exercised. Some writers on the subject advocate a 

 chimney-shaft to be erected in the stable, by which the foul air can best 

 escape, and also the admission of fresh air over the animal's head by 

 means of perforated zinc. 



Cleanliness. — The next consideration, and it is not less important than 

 either of the preceding, is that of cleanliness. Too many persons be- 

 lieve, or they act as so believing, that the more ahorse stands and sleeps 

 among the tilth of his own litter, the more he thrives. This is an error 

 of ignorance or of idleness, perhaps both combined. The etfect of it at 

 any rate is to make the animal, in addition to breathing his own breath 

 again, inhale the fetid ammoniacal steams which arise from his own 

 ordure and urine. We have even heard ftirmers defend this mode, on 

 the ground that the manure is better, as though the manure were worth 

 any thing in comparison with the horse. 



The Stable Floor. — A brick or stone stable floor is the best; if the lat- 

 ter, the stone should be roughened with small furrows, and in either 

 case a deep drain sunk outside of the stable is necessary for keeping it 

 perfectly dry, without which either brick or stone floors will be preju- 

 dicial from damp. This is of the utmost importance. Neither should 

 such drains be used to carry otf the urine. The floor should slope an 

 inch to a yard, but only to the gutter which carries off the urine. In- 

 deed, if this is carried off by an iron pipe with suitable openings, so 

 much the better. A tub sunk outside the stable as a receptacle for the 

 urine, will soon amply repay the farmer for his trouble; it is too valu- 

 able to be permitted to difl:\ise itself over the dung-heap in the yard, to 

 be w^ashed away by the first shower of rain. 



Litter should always be allowed for a horse to stale upon, as it is 

 easily removed, and a little gypsum thrown down occasionally will keep 

 the stable free from smells. Nothing can be more offensive to either 

 horse or man than the smell of putrid urine, whilst if this be permitted 

 to run into a proper receptacle, and a little sulphuric acid added occa- 

 sionally, nothing can exceed its value as a manure, w^hich the farmer 

 should be as careful to preserve as he is the corn which it fertilizes. 



Within reason, the more room a horse has in his stall the less liable 

 will he be to swollen legs. In no instance ought he to have less room 

 than six feet, and if ten can be aftorded him, so much the more will he 

 thrive, the comfort being especially felt after a hard day's work. Loose 

 boxes are indispensable to horses of value. 



A perfect stable should never have a hay-loft over it. This of course 

 will give a little more trouble to the stable-man, but where the comfort 

 of a horse is concerned, that is of no consequence whatever. A deep 

 manger with two or three iron bars across is far preferable to a rack or 

 well for the reception of hay, and will more effectually prevent waste. 

 An arrangement for water should also be provided. The front must of. 



