STABLES 251 



improve the physical condition of the manure for fertilizing 

 purposes. 



Bedding materials consist of stra,ws, sawdust, shavings, peat 

 moss, and, in the country, corn stover and leaves. The durability 

 of the straws is in the order of rye, wheat and oat, while their 

 absorbing capacity is reversed. Their relative values, therefore, 

 will depend upon whether or not they are to be used in drained 

 stalls. If that is the case they will be valued in the order named, 

 but with an abundance of straw, and value attached to the 

 manure, tliey would have an inverted valuation in the undrained 

 stable, where the absorption by the bedding is depended upon 

 for the removal of the liquid manure. The chaffy nature of oat 

 straw would make it objectionable to use in drained stables. The 

 market price is greatest for untangled rye straw, which is espe- 

 cially demanded in high-class stables, where the appearance is 

 much enhanced by ^^ setting fair'' the bedding; then tangled 

 rye, wheat, and oat in the order named. 



Shavings and sawdust have the advantages of economy in 

 most locations, a cleanly appearance in the stable, and to a cer- 

 tain extent they counteract odors, but they are difficult to handle, 

 rather cold to lie upon, and undesirable in the manure on accou.nt 

 of their dearth of plant food. Sawdust holds better on the stall 

 floor but it is not so easily removed from the horses' coats as are 

 shavings. 



Peat moss is much more commonly used in England and 

 Scotland than in America. It is imported by the shipload in 

 large bales, chiefly from Holland and Germany, and is there- 

 fore cheapest in the Eastern cities. It has the advantage of 

 durability, will absorb about ten times its volume of Avater, 

 while straw absorbs but three, prevents stable odor, affords a 

 comfortable bed either to lie or to stand upon, and does not stain 

 gray horses, a property which alone is responsible for its use in 

 many large stables. Like shavings and sawdust, stalls thus 

 bedded are somewhat difficult to muck out. Peat moss has some 

 fertilizing value and is therefore not objectionable in the manure, 

 as are shavings and sawdust. If available at a price of about $12 

 per ton it will be found a most economical and satisfactory 

 litter. 



