CHAP. vn. THE FEEDING OF FARM-HORSES. 445 



and of this mess, after it has become cool, almost a pailful and a hal 

 are given to each horse once a day, generally when his work is over. 

 This is a judicious and economical practice, as very light corn is often 

 swallowed whole when given dry. When horses are kept partly upon 

 straw, it is an excellent mode of preserving their bowels in good order; 

 but when put to hard work, and fed on hay, its constant repetition 

 would perhaps be too relaxing. 



Mr. Spooner, in his Prize Essay on the " Management of Farm 

 Horses," gives, from his personal knowledge, the following estimates of 

 the cost per week of feeding farm-horses. These are retained as 

 indicating quantities, but the cost will necessarily vary with market 

 fluctuations in the value of produce. From the middle of November 

 to March, when the work is light, they receive : 



*. d. 



Oats, li bushel . . . .46 

 Straw, If cwt. at 2s. . . .36 

 Swedes, 42 Ib 04 



8 4 



8. d. 



Oats, 2 bushels . . . .60 



Beans, 1J peck 23 



Hay (not clover), 1 cwt . . ,40 



12 3 



The second allowance is given as the spring work comes gradually 

 on. When barley and turnip sowing are nearly over, and green food 

 becomes abundant, 



s. d. 



The corn is reduced to 1 bushel 30 



Green food is given ad libitum, and costs, say . ..50 



Making per week . . .80 



As the wheat sowing approaches, the spring feeding is again given. 

 Thus we have for 



s. d. 



3 months a weekly expense of 084 



b 12 3 



3 ,, ,, ,, 080 



3 , 12 3 



2 10 



making the total cost average 10s. tyd. per week, or 26L 10s. 

 per annum. 



Total . . . 22 3 

 Difference 95. 5^d. per horse per week. 



Besides the saving iu money, the digestive organs' had 56 Ib. less hay and 59 Ib. less 

 corn to digest. Or : 



Mixed grain . . . 109 Ib. 

 Hay . . . . 98 Ib. 



Total . 207 Ib. 



Old Oats . . . 168 Ib. 

 Hay . . . 154 Ib. 



Total . 322 Ib. 



The result was that within three months the stud was in excellent condition, drawing out 

 of the pit, without any application of engine power, about twenty to thirty scores more per 

 day than when they were first put under the fresh diet. As there were 149 horses on the 

 colliery, a saving computed at 3, 622 per annum was thus effected. 



