466 AMERICAN FARMER'S HORSE BOOK. 



the choice parts, but only such locations as we have specified. 

 When we consider that they bear a most delicious fruit for 

 table use, it seems still more unwise to destroy them al- 

 together. 



Small fields are better than large ones, in the division of 

 the pasture lands upon the farm. Frequent changes from 

 one field to another will be beneficial to the stock, and like- 

 wise to the pastures. " A change of pasture makes fat 

 calves." The saying is old and trite, but it states a truth, 

 nevertheless, and applies equally to the colt. By this course, 

 too, the field will afibrd considerably more grazing, taking 

 the season throughout. 



If it can be so arranged, colts of different ages should be 

 kept in separate fields ; or, rather, the older horses, unless it 

 be some old mother mares, should not be allowed to run 

 with the colts. If any of the latter do not thrive well, but 

 remain in bad plight, let the farmer separate them from the 

 rest and try to learn what the matter is, and then set to work 

 to remedy the evil. When a number of colts are running to- 

 gether, the weaker and smaller ones are sometimes greatly 

 abused by those that are larger and stronger. This should 

 be seen to in all cases, and such arrangements made as will 

 insure the feebler stock a fair chance. 



The question of water is a very important one. Dead 

 ponds and mud-holes are not what is needed on a stock farm. 

 They are hardly any better suited to the horse's uses than 

 they are to those of the human being, and many colts are 

 enfeebled and often diseased by having only such water af- 

 forded them to drink. Fortunate, indeed, is that farmer 

 who has a spring or a running stream within his pasture. 

 In the absence of such a blessing to his stock a good well 

 is the next resource, and should be immediately sunk and 

 fitted up with a good chain-pump, and a large trough to l\old 

 the water. Artificial ponds deserve universal condemnation ; 

 they are cess-pools of filth and disease. It is much easier, 

 we know, to let btock run to the mud-hole, and help them- 

 selves to such dirty water as they can find there, than it is 



