448 



THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. 



BOOK III. 



thirds of its full capacity. The five pounds of oats, on the other hand, 

 with their five pounds of saliva, do not fill the stomach to one-third 

 of its capacity, but leave the amplest opportunity for freedom of move- 

 ment and the secretion of the gastric juice. It might be added that 

 the ready digestibility and assimilation of the food is a very important 

 matter, especially for hard-working horses, with which time is all- 

 important. If the food is difficult of mastication, and requires a lengthy 

 period to reduce it to the necessary condition of crushing and insaliva- 

 tion before being swallowed, then the animal gets less rest, and so 

 much power is wasted by the muscular movement of the jaws ; while, 

 if it is indigestible, it takes a longer time to reach the blood, and 

 fatigues the stomach before it is in a fit state to enter that vital fluid, 

 besides loading the bowels with matters which are often worse than 



useless. 



COST OF HORSE KEEP. 



5. d. 



s. d. 



3rd week in Sept., Oct., Nov. (9 weeks), 



4 stone of maize meal . . . . . .38 



1 ,, of bean meal \ _ _ 



1 ,, of linseed cake J 



1 cwt. of clover hay 46 



Straw 06 



11 4 5 2 d 

 Dec. and Jan. (about 9 weeks), 



5 stone of maize meal 47 



1 cwt. of stover 46 



2 bushels of roots 08 



Straw 06 



10 3 4 12 8 

 Feb. and March (8 weeks), 



4 stone of maize meal . . . . . .38 



1 ,, of bean meal \ 9 



1 , , of linseed cake / ..... 



1 cwt. of stover * ... .46 



2 bushels of roots . * . . . . .08 



11 6 , 4 12 



April (5 weeks), 



4 stone of maize meal . . . . . .38 



Green food, cut into yard . . . . .50 



88 234 

 May, June, July (13 weeks), 



3 stone of maize meal .29 



Grass 40 



69 4 7 9 

 Aug. and Sept. (8 weeks), 



4 stone of maize meal . . . . . .38 



J cwt. of stover 23 



Grass 30 



8 11 



Total cost of a year's keep 



3 11 4 

 24 8 8 



Oats arid hay should be sound and good. In judging of them for 

 food, it is well to remember the characters by which good may be 



