k 



414 AMERICAlSr FARMER'S HORSE BOOK. 



fed on com escape the ^-nnoyances, if they prove no worse, 

 of a sour stomach and constant distension ; nor do many 

 older ones come into their feed of corn at night, after a 

 hard day s work or a long drive, without suffering more or 

 less from frequent disturbances of the digestive process. 



Doubtless much of the evil effect incident to the use of 

 corn might be obviated by having the corn ground, and 

 then used as provender, allowing it to lie wet for half an 

 hour before using to soak and swell. But this is too much 

 work and trouble for the majority of farmers in this fast and 

 busy age. These exemplify the proverb which speaks of 

 "throwing out more with the spoon than they can bring in 

 with the shovel." As we have repeatedly remarked, good 

 wood ashes will prove of great benefit in connection with a 

 regular diet of corn, since they tend to neutralize the acid 

 condition of the stomach, and carry digestion forward in a 

 healthful manner. 



Barley may be used as half feed, but is nearly as objec- 

 tionable as corn. Wheat-bran and rye should be used spar- 

 ingly, as they act too powerfully upon the bowels to be used 

 freely. They do best when mixed with oat or corn -meal as 

 provender to go upon chopped feed. 



. GREEN FEED FOR WINTER. 



It is the work of economy, and highly conducive to the 

 horse's health, to provide for his use during the wiater as 

 much green feed as possible. He may be given carrots, tur- 

 nips, beets, pumpkins, and potatoes with decided advantage. 

 The first two of these are the best, but he will eat any green 

 feed, even to cabbages and apples, with greediness, and all 

 are excellent in their effects upon his health and general 

 condition. Throughout the winter, every horse that is kept 

 upon dry feed should have a green feed once a day. If this 

 course was in general practice, fewer diseases would visit our 

 stables, and fine, fat, lively horses and colts would multiply 

 greatly. 



We feed both our cows and hogs upon slop, and with this 



