On Threshing out Wheat by a Roller. 41 



This should always be done when they are employed in 

 any kind of labour, in the summer. My horses when 

 used in ploughing or harrowing Indian corn, turning fal- 

 low, ploughing-in wheat, &c. are constantly kept on dry 

 food, except, perhaps, once a week, they are turned to 

 grass, for the sake of opening their bowels, and keeping 

 them in good health. 



I have been told that the wheat of Duck Creek Neck, 

 in this county, is more diligently sought for, and com- 

 mands a better price, at Brandywine, than any wheat 

 which is carried to that market ; and it is all trodden out 

 with horses. It is said to be preferred to the nicest 

 thrashed wheat of Pennsylvania and New York. 



5. The labour to the horses have been objected to the 

 process of treading. I have before, in some degree, 

 noticed this objection. It may additionally be observed, 

 that in treading out 50 or 60 bushels of wheat, by ma- 

 king two or more floors, the horses will not be employed, 

 the utmost space of time, more than six hours, and at 

 intervals, so as completely to rest them. In very hot 

 weather care will be required ; but not more so than in 

 any other kind of labour. Perhaps it is more fatiguing 

 than ploughing, but its continuance is not so long ; and if 

 the horses are driven to excess the fault will be in the su- 

 perintendent, and not in the work itself. In fifteen 

 years, not one of my horses has sustained the least da- 

 mage by treading. 



6. It may be supposed that the straw is not so good as 

 threshed straw. If the straw is equally well preserved it 

 is not inferior. The long food which my horses gene- 



