WItfTEKING A TEOTTEE. 49 



lar intervals, three feeds a day of good oats, every other 

 day substituting a few ears of sound old corn the dent 

 varieties are the best the amount will depend on the 

 size or fat forming qualities ; but from six to eight quarts 

 of oats daily, or its equivalent in other feed, will generally 

 be found sufficient. The quantity of hay to be unlimited, 

 so that the stomach will be filled, restoring the muscular 

 power in that organ, which may have been impaired in 

 the preparation for sweats and races the preceding sum- 

 mer. Once or twice a week give a bran mash, and place 

 a box containing salt within reach. Through the winter 

 change his feed by giving cut feed, carrots, wheat, rye, 

 barley, meal, etc., and as the spring comes on, a little oil 

 meal, flax, or sunflower seeds, will assist in shedding the 

 old coat, and producing a soft, shiny new one to take its 

 place. He should be watered three times a day. The 

 litter in his box shaken up, and all the soiled portions 

 thrown out once a day. No grooming will be needed ; if 

 plenty of clean straw is kept in his yard and box he will 

 not require it, and for this much of the year, at least, he 

 will be exempt from the torture to a thin-skinned horse- 

 of currycomb and brush. In the temperature of this box 

 I know of no better rule to observe than that, after proper 

 precautions have been taken for thorough ventilation, it 

 may be made so close as to exclude the outer air. If this 

 is done by building a hollow brick wall or a wooden one, 

 the aim will be reached. I have seen stables built of logs 

 that were as good, and horses wintered in them as well, as 

 when thousands of dollars had been lavished to rear a 

 structure that has all the appliances of modern times to 

 make its inmates comfortable. I do not mean, by this re- 

 marl:, to be understood that I find fault with the taste 

 displayed by our wealthy men in building fine barns and 

 stables. They are not only a great ornament to a fine 

 villa or eity residence, but they are so comfortable for the 



