150 \ THE PERFECT HOUSE. 



that he has given to it an agent that it needed, and 

 which, without his efforts, it would not have had. 

 He deserves the benediction of mankind; for he has 

 added another unit to the long column which represents 

 the aggregate happiness of the race. At this point, the 

 question of how the colt should be fed — whether, during 

 the sucking-period, from the dam's milk alone ; or whe- 

 ther this should be re-enforced by other sustenance, such 

 as cow's milk, oatmeal-gruel, cracked oats, and the Hke ; 

 in short, what is called by many ''the forcing-system," or 

 the reverse — comes up for our consideration. As to 

 this, several things, often lost sight of, must be taken into 

 account. In the first place, it is agreed on all sides that 

 the youngster should not starve : but this he often will 

 do, unless other food than that which comes from the dam 

 is given him ; because many dams are such poor milkers, 

 that they do not yield the foal nearly enough to supply 

 his evident wants. In such a case, the breeder must 

 feed the young thing himself Cow's milk is good, when 

 properly warmed and sweetened. Let it be prepared 

 half blood-warm, and as sweet as the foal will drink it. 

 Three weeks after birth, give some oatmeal, or cracked 

 oats soaked to tenderness in water, or, better yet, in 

 milk. Begin with a handful or two, and increase as the 

 need is. If the mare is a very poor milker, the colt 

 may need two quarts per day. The rule to govern this 

 matter is, — keep the foal in healthy growth. As long 

 as his stomach and bowels are in good condition, 

 and he not gaining fat unnaturally, he is doing well; 



