THE HUNTER'S FORAGE 



very deceptive in this respect. They look very 

 fine on casual inspection, but when critically 

 examined, will probably be found all shell or 

 husk, and no kernel. In poor oats, the kernel 

 amounts to about 60 per cent, of the weight ; in 

 good oats to 75 per cent.; and the best 80 per 

 cent. Good oats should weigh from 40 to 46 

 lb. to the bushel, whilst worthless oats will 

 weigh not more than 32 lb. to the bushel. 

 When a sample is handled it should leave no 

 unpleasant odour on the hands, such as that of 

 mustiness, but be free from dust, &c., and other 

 seeds. The individual grains should be hard 

 and rattle freely when passed from hand to 

 hand, but it is quite an easy matter to tell 

 a good sample of oats, and this without a 

 great deal of experience. Some forage vendors 

 will mix their oats, large and small being 

 blended. Bad oats are small, dirty, have an 

 unpleasant odour, though the latter is occa- 

 sionally disguised by fumigating them with 

 sulphur dioxide gas, best detected by rubbing 

 the oats in the hand, when the odour of sulphur 

 is said to be rendered sensible. Musty oats are 

 extremely pernicious for horses, and will readily 



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