OP LIVE STOCK. 127 



is an advantage to a farm-horse ; and a correspondent in- 

 forms me, that he has wrought one, with a good deal of 

 blood, for 15 years, and he still pays well for his food in 

 doing extra work. In the same space of time, all his other 

 horses have been changed three times. For the plough, 

 and in particular for distant journies, a dash of blood is very 

 valuable. 



In considering this important branch of the enquiry, it 

 may be proper to explain the following particulars, viz. 

 1. The food given to farm-horses in Scotland ; 2. The to- 

 tal expence per pair ; 3. The advantages of working them 

 abreast instead of lengthwise ; 4. The quantity of work 

 they are fit to execute ; 5. The manner in which farmers in 

 Scotland supply themselves with horses ; and, 6. Any arti- 

 cles of a miscellaneous nature. 



1. Food. With a view of diminishing the expence of 

 feeding horses, besides oats, hay, and straw, made use of 

 so universally in other countries, the Scotch farmers have 

 tried a variety of other productions, as, 1 . Potatoes ; 2. 

 Yams ; 3. Carrots ; 4. Yellow turnips ; 5. Swedes ; 6. Boil- 

 ed barley ; and, 7. Whins j and not without success. They 

 may at least be considered as useful, by diminishing the 

 consumption of dearer articles, and promoting the health 

 of that most useful animal. 



Potatoes were tried for horses by Mr John Mackenzie 

 of Glasgow, above forty years ago, sometimes raw, and 

 sometimes boiled. The practice of steaming was not known 

 in those days.* Mr Stewart of Hillside, in Dumfries-shire, 



* It is supposed to have been first introduced into Lancashire by Mr 

 Wakefield, and Mr Eccleston of Scarsbrick-hall. In the first volume of 

 the Communications to the Board of Agriculture, printed ant& 179? 



