402 AGRICULTURE AND THE HORSE. 



rutabagas, — the king of roots for all young animals 

 which are making bone and muscle, and for all old ones 

 which are being stalled. I have long since abandoned 

 carrots. Having become dissatisfied with them, either 

 for my colts or my driving-horses, I looked about for 

 a substitute ; and learning, from a report on Farming in 

 Ireland, that in the early spring, when the farmers there 

 began to plough, they also began to feed Swedes to their 

 horses which were to draw the plough, I took the hint. 

 I do not ask others to follow my example ; but I am 

 under everlasting obligations to the Irishman for his, 

 and to the observer who recorded it. I have many 

 colts that have never eaten a mouthful of grain until 

 four years old, and many a horse who has wintered on 

 hay and turnips, and always wintered well. I know 

 nothing which will restore a colt in early winter, if he 

 comes to the barn out of condition, and begins to 

 droop and stock as soon as he is confined to the stable, 

 so readily and effectually as Swedes. I can drive my 

 old horses in winter, when fed on them, an occasional 

 drive, as well as I can when fed on corn. I can pre- 

 serve their legs in good condition, and their health in 

 a sound state, year after year, on this food. And I am 

 sure, that, while I can bring a colt to a working-age with 

 hay and turnips better than with any thing else, I can 

 also secure to myself a good, hard, lively winter horse, 

 and to the horse himself a lons^cr and more useful and 

 comfortable life. Turnips are economically raised: they 

 make bone and muscle ; they keep the digestive organa 



