FOOD. Ill 



also lost, when the natural odor of prepared herbage has been changed ; 

 they may argue that what was injurious, with the scent has also lost 

 the characteristic capability to harm. Docs chemistry uphold such a 

 conclusion ? The dried and powdered herbs of the Pharmacopoeia point 

 to an opposite inference. Experience and experiment warrant a con- 

 trary judgment. The yew-tree is an active poison to the horse. Gar- 

 deners annually clip the compact hedges of yew, which too frequently 

 surround and shelter country lawns. The twigs often fall into fields 

 where horses are pastured. While the cuttings remain green, the ani- 

 mals recognize the poisonous nature and refuse to partake of the fallen 

 leaves. But let exposure dry the refuse, and the grasses of the meadow 

 are deserted, to devour that which was previously avoided. The poison, 

 however, has not evaporated with moisture. The odor, by which danger 

 was recognized, alone has been lost ; but the deadly nature seems to be 

 more concentrated: or the issue may be rendered speedier by the les- 

 sened bulk of the dried vegetable, and the greater amount of it which 

 therefore can be swallowed. 



Apply the above illustration, and, guided by its teaching, say how far 

 man is justified in presenting the wholesale gathering of a field to a 

 hungry horse. It is true, we know of no injury being produced by hay. 

 But we know that the stable, as at present managed, is far from a health- 

 ful abode. We are certain, instinct was not created without a pui-pose ; 

 and we have seen that the vegetable, which is avoided when fresh, is 

 not rendered powerless by its moisture being expelled. Therefore, 

 guided by such monitors, we can do no wrong by endeavoring to render 

 hay a wholesome food. None of the grasses are positively poisonous; 

 but the animal prefers those which have a crisp and clean appearance. 

 Soft or woolly provender is never relished. It were an easy labor for a 

 youth to select the good from the bad ; while doing this, the boy might 

 be instructed to reject all and everything which was not the fitting kind 

 of grass. The cost of such a process would be very trifling, and the 

 welfare of the animal might soon repay all extra outlay. 



However, few, very few people know how to tell a good from a bad 

 sample of hay. Yast quantities of that which no proprietor should 

 oblige his imprisoned slaves to consume, are daily sold; some persons 

 even prefer particular kinds of produce; while others, urged by par- 

 simony, will purchase only damaged hay. There should be, however, 

 in this substance little room for the exercise of choice or of discretion. 

 The characteristics of good hay are very marked, and such only should 

 be purchased by the careful horse owner. 



It is the intention of the author to ofier some remarks upon this sim- 

 ple but excessively important topic. The comments will be accompanied 



