152 rooD. 



cease to be produced. They also improve the state of the skin. 

 They form a good substitute for grass, and an excellent altera- 

 tive for horses out of condition. For sick and idle horses they 

 render grain unnecessary. They are beneficial in all chronic 

 diseases connected with breathing, and have a marked influence 

 upon chronic cough and broken wind. They are serviceable 

 in diseases of the skin, and in- combination with oats they re- 

 store a worn horse much sooner than oats alone. 



Potatoes have been given and with advantage in their raw 

 state, sliced with chaff; but, where it has been convenient to 

 boil or steam them, the benefit has been far more evident. 

 Purging then has rarely ensued. Some have given boiled pota- 

 toes alone, and horses, instead of rejecting them, have soon 

 preferred them even to oats ; but it is better to mix them with the 

 usual manger feed, in the proportion of one pound of potatoes 

 to two and a half pounds of the other ingredients. The use of 

 the potato must depend upon its cheapness, and tlie facility 

 for boiling it. Those who have tried potatoes extensively in 

 the feeding of horses, assert that an acre of potatoes goes as 

 far as four acres of hay. A horse fed upon them should have 

 his quantity of water materially curtailed. Half a dozen horses 

 would soon repay the expense of a steaming boiler for potatoes 

 in the saving of provender alone, without taking into account 

 their improved condition and capability for work. 



The times of feeding should be as equally divided as conve- 

 nience will permit ; and when it is likely that the horse will be 

 kept longer than usual from home, the nose-bag should inva- 

 riably be taken. The small stomach of the horse is emptied in 

 a few hours ; and if he is allowed to remain hungry much be- 

 yond his accustomed time, he will afterwards devour his food 



