The Stable Handbook 



and shown the mangers half full of rejected 

 food. Then he drove off to consult the farmer, 

 a man of known probity, and an excellent sports- 

 man. The farmer thought a moment. '*Have 

 you a stable cat, sir ? " 



"Yes, what has that to do with it?" *' You make 

 him give the horses some fresh oats out of the 

 granary. If they don't eat 'em I'll take the lot 

 back." Accordingly the master returned, looked 

 at the mangers, ordered the rejected oats to be 

 taken away, and a fresh supply brought from the 

 granary. These were eagerly devoured. Then 

 the master opened the bin, and put his nose in. 

 " Tell you what, Simmons, it's not the fault of 

 the oats, but the bin is dirty ; you've left it open, 

 and cats or mice or something have got in. Don't 

 let it happen again, and mind the horses mustn't 

 refuse their food while you are here," nor 

 did they. 



This was an old trick, but like many old tricks, 

 makes its appearance again from time to time. No 

 sensible man objects to tradespeople and dealers 

 feeing his groom if they choose. Even under the 

 strictest rule a groom can help their interests, but 

 such fees must never take the form of a definite 

 commission ('' dustoor," as an Anglo-Indian would 

 call it) on any given purchase. 



But I have left my readers in ignorance of the 

 way to tell good hay from bad, old hay from new ; 

 the former being much the more important of the 

 i8 



