68 HORSE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA. 



causes the grains of starch in corn to burst, and the 

 albumen to coagulate, so that the different digestive 

 fluids are then able to penetrate easily through its sub- 

 stance. The objection to boiling is that it causes the 

 food to become saturated with water, which decreases 

 its digestibility, and greatly increases its bulk. Parch- 

 ing, however, is -free from any such drawback, and may 

 be advantageously applied to the preparation of barley 

 and wheat. The husk of the first-mentioned grain 

 often has a more or less irritating effect on the 

 intestines of the horse. The process of parching not 

 alone renders the grain porous, but also deprives the 

 husk of its objectionable properties. The husk of lin- 

 seed, Jculthee, and tirud is so hard that they require to 

 be boiled before being given. 



