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a matter of great consequence, nor, in fact, is it 

 to cart or common horses ; but it is quite the 

 reverse to such as we are particular about as to 

 stamina, wind, and condition. Good oats ought 

 to weigh close on forty pounds per bushel ; for 

 we must recollect that, in the first place, horses 

 (excepting military ones) are fed by measure, not 

 by weight ; consequently, in giving light oats, we 

 actually rob the horse of his proper quantum of 

 meal, giving him husks instead: and if we fed 

 him by weight, going on the principle that a 

 pound of lead and a pound of feathers are both 

 a pound, the principle would be a very bad one 

 as regards oats ; for, in that case, though the 

 horse got his pound weight, if he gets an undue 

 portion of it in husks, he is only filled with that 

 which is of no use to him ; so in every way light 

 oats are bad for choice horses. 



Some persons, indeed many, object to black 

 oats. The only objection that I ever found to 

 them is, they are apt to be taily, particularly the 

 Tartars ; but if they are neat, short, and round, I 

 think them quite as good as the white indeed, 

 in one particular, better ; as such as I describe as 

 good are generally thin-skinned. 



Irish oats, that is, those sent to this country, 

 are often objectionable, as a large proportion of 

 them are kiln-dried, to give the look and feel of 

 old oats ; but when not, I think them quite as 



