GROOMS. 341 



it. Also finger the body, which should communicate no thick and 

 greasy soil to the hand. Grooms will assert it is impossible to prevent 

 these effects ; but if their labor cannot clear the coat, they must be either- 

 very ignorant or very idle. It is useless to dispute with an inferior. 

 Tell him you insist upon your desires being accomplished, and you will 

 only retain the man who can effect it. 



Nine o^clock. — The horse receives another feed, consisting of two and 

 a half pounds of soaked peas or of soaked tares, one quart of soaked 

 and crushed barley, with three pounds of clover hay cut into chaff, and 

 also steeped : all soil is removed from the boxes ; the groom then returns 

 to finish his harness. Every piece is unbuckled and cleaned separately, 

 and all metal articles polished, after the leather has been overlooked and 

 renovated. 



Ten o^clock. — The man goes to the house for the day's orders : these 

 obtained, he returns to the stable ; he finishes the harness and he cleans 

 the carriage. The cushions should be removed and daily aired : in hot 

 weather, in the sun ; in wet or during cold seasons, at the fire. This is 

 done before the vehicle itsel'f is attended to. 



Twelve o^clock. — The horse has another feed, composed of half a 

 gallon of crushed and macerated oats, with two pounds of properly-pre- 

 pared pea or bean chaff. 



Two o^clock. — The horse, when not required by the master or mis- 

 tress, is led out for two hours' exercise. When its services are needed, 

 the eyes, nostrils, etc. are sponged over ; the mane and tail combed out; 

 the coat is dried and smoothed ; the exterior of the hoofs slightly gly- 

 cerined ; the feet and shoes specially noticed ; then the saddle or harness 

 is put on, and the animal' is walked, not hurried, round to the front 

 door. If the quadruped's services are not required, the last directions 

 are unheeded. 



Four or five o^clock. — "When the horse returns, either from abroad or 

 from exercise, the bed should have been littered down, and the body 

 should be slightly dressed ; the night clothes should be ready ; the animal 

 is fed with four pounds of Egyptian beans, soaked and mingled with 

 half a peck of upland hay chaff. When the horse is out late, the groom 

 and the stable-boy should be up to receive it. Further instructions will, 

 hereafter, be given concerning the treatment of the animal's possible 

 condition when it is brought home at unseasonable hours. 



At dusk. — A small light is ignited, and placed in a lantern. 



At ten o^clock. — The horse receives the last meal, which consists of 

 the same ingredients as the twelve o'clock feed. 



In the foregoing directions, only those things have been mentioned 

 n-hich require to be executed with regularity. Many small acts are, of 



