GROOMING, STABLE GEAR, ETC. 79 



the horse's body at all, and in reality it is useless. 

 If it can be managed, it is best not to give the 

 " syces " such things, the only use of them being to 

 clean the brush with, and this can be done just as 

 well with the palm of the left hand, and the brush 

 does not wear out so quickly ; but it is the custom 

 to use the comb, and it is hard to prevent it. 



Buckets (balfi). 



Buckets can be bought anywhere. Zinc ones are 

 better than tin, although perhaps a little more ex- 

 pensive ; one should be provided for each horse. 



Dusters (jharans). 



Dusters are things that native servants of every 

 sort seem to consume in enormous quantities, and 

 unless some check is put on it, the number used at 

 the end of the month will be astonishing. Either 

 the old one should be produced before another is 

 given, or else some contract be given to them to pro- 

 vide them for themselves; but the former plan is 

 the best; if the contract system is adopted, filthy 

 rags will be used. They are luckily exceedingly 

 cheap, and are made nearly everywhere. 



