The Stable Handbook 



the use of peat-moss litter. I have found that 

 there is no waste of hay when I use it, and my 

 hunters have picked up from it every single blade 

 of their allowance. On the other hand, when 

 horses are bedded on straw a great deal of hay 

 is wasted, being trampled down and soiled. But 

 to return : the only saving to be effected is by 

 buying in the cheapest market available, and 

 storing up one's hay and corn. Nothing is more 

 extravagant than living from hand to mouth in 

 the matter of forage. Thus, as already pointed 

 out, it is worth while to construct a granary and 

 a hay store if you have them not on the place. 

 If, however, we go on the principle of making the 

 best of what we have, we shall find that in nine 

 cases out of ten there is a loft over the stable 

 with which we must do the best we can. 



First the floor should be examined, so that 

 neither the dust from the forage shall descend 

 on the horses nor the exhalations from the stable 

 poison the hay. Then you may proceed to 

 calculate how much hay you can store there. If 

 you are fortunate in a three or four stall stable 

 you will probably find that the loft over the stable 

 or coach house is calculated to hold about a ton of 

 hay and one of straw. If you fill up the area with 

 hay and use peat-moss instead of straw, almost 

 two tons and a half of hay can be packed there. 

 Hay in trusses occupies less space for an equal 

 weight than straw. This gives you rather more 



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