STIMULANTS. 135 



and, in fact, if horses are accustomed to them, they 

 cannot work without them. Two things should, 

 however, be strictly observed in giving beans ; 

 first, that they are bruised (not ground), and, 

 secondly, that they are not given just before a 

 horse starts on quick work : nothing is more 

 likely to produce colic. Late in the day, and 

 night, if on a journey, is the proper time to give 

 beans. There is, however, a third precaution to be 

 observed as regards beans, they must be old, if 

 given at all. New beans are worse than useless ; 

 they are absolutely dangerous in the extreme. 

 Old beans I consider to be to the horse what 

 sound old port or ale is to the man : new ones 

 are tantamount to drinking sweet-wort or port 

 while undergoing its manufacture, and, conse- 

 quently, produce the direct opposite effect to 

 that we seek in giving them to such horses as we 

 judge may require them. I should say that in a 

 general way, half a quartern, split or bruised, is 

 enough. Certain work and certain constitutions 

 may require double the quantity, but more than 

 that I should say would be injurious. I have, 

 however, I remember, mentioned, in something I 

 have before said of beans in another work, a case 

 where I gave considerably more, but it arose from 

 the following cause. Some years past oats were 

 for some months at an enormous price, and in the 

 particular neighbourhood where I then resided 



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