THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 397 



view we recommend each stable-keeper to have a ventilator con- 

 structed ; and it may be got up on a cheap scale from pine 

 boards, which should be dovetailed together. Its form will be a 

 matter of choice ; the circular will be most preferable ; yet, 

 where economy is the order of the day, a hollow, square spout 

 will answer. The lower end of this ventilator must be inserted 

 into the stable floor, and only inserted, for if it be suffered to 

 reach a few inches below the under surface of the floor, it will 

 be but an imperfect ventilator. Its length will correspond to 

 the height of the stable, always allowing a few additional feet, 

 to rise above the roof. It may be protected from rain by a tri- 

 angular cap. 



We cannot close this subject without making what we conceive 

 to be a valuable suggestion, which, if fully carried out, will be 

 for the mutual advantage of stablemen and farmers. Our plan 

 is, that each stable-keeper shall supply himself with a quantity 

 of powdered charcoal, a limited portion of which is to be 

 sprinkled every morning over the dung heap. For a stable av- 

 eraging twenty horses, half a barrel of charcoal daily would not 

 be too much ; the more there is of it the better for the farmer, 

 and, indeed, for the whole human race. For then many of the 

 diseases which have of late attacked our fruits and vegetables 

 might be arrested, and, perhaps, wholly prevented. Much of 

 the fruit now brought to market is a direct cause of diarrhoea 

 and dysentery. 



By this arrangement the farmer will be the one most benefited, 

 and we venture to say that any sensible man would be willing 

 to furnish the requisite quantity of charcoal, provided he has 

 the privilege of purchasing the manure. He certainly would 

 not object, when purchasing manure, to pay the additional cost 

 of the charcoal, for it surpasses all other substances in the 

 power which it possesses of absorbing ammonia, and the value 

 of manure is increased in proportion to the amount of ammo- 

 niacal salts which it contains. 

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