38 STABLE MANAGEMENT. 



put before them. Fresh seed will have to be sown 

 about every three years, and tlie crop may be cut 

 about five or six times during the season. About 

 4 lbs. is enough for a horse, but it is best to begin 

 with half this quantity and gradually increase it, 

 as if too large an amount is given at once it is 

 likely to cause colic. 



Guinea Grass. 



Some years ago this was a very favourite grass 

 forage to grow for horses, but lately lucerne has 

 supplanted it, and, I think, rightly. The advantage 

 of guinea grass is that it lasts through the hottest 

 months of the year, which lucerne does not, but it 

 requires a great deal of water. It grows in separate 

 tufts, and they should be planted some distance 

 apart, or otherwise they will crowd each other out. 



Sugar Cane {gun no). 

 Sugar cane is not often used as an actual food, 

 but horses are very fond of it, and on my visits to 

 the stable I usually had some pieces carried after 

 me in a basket when it was in season. It ripens 

 at the end of the summer, and lasts into the winter. 

 It is sold in long sticks, and should be chopped up 

 into pieces ; but the servants will steal it, as they 

 eat it themselves as a sweetmeat. 



