OF DRINK 317 



according to the nature of those substances with which 

 it has been in contact. River-water has, likewise, its 

 different quaHties, from the various soils through which 

 it travels ; but, in general, it is much softer than water 

 that runs underground. Pond-water (under which 

 head may be included all stagnant water, which 

 generally proceeds from rain), i{ lying on a clear and 

 clayey bottom, and fresh, answers well for cattle of all 

 kinds ; but in warm weather it is apt to corrupt and 

 ferment, which renders it unwholesome and unfit for 

 use." 



To correct the hardness of pit-water, and render it 

 more salutary for horses to drink, it should be pumped 

 into a large trough, and exposed to the open air for 

 some time before it is used ; or if a cart-load or two 

 of clay or chalk be thrown into the well, it will greatly 

 improve the water. It has likewise been found that 

 breaking down a piece of clay, about the size of an 

 apple, in a pailful of hard water, before it is given to 

 a horse to drink, morning and evening, has produced 

 a considerable change in their coats. 



Indeed, it will be found where horses are obliged to 

 drink hard water, they are for the most part rough- 

 haired, and at the same time have a great deal of 

 dusty matter at the roots of their coats, even though 

 they are well curried and brushed every day ; from 

 which we infer this is occasioned by the bad quality of 

 the water they drink. 



In cases where stagnant water can only be pro- 

 cured in summer, unslacked lime will materially im- 

 prove it ; but ground charcoal will render even the 

 most impure Vv^ater sweet and wholesome. 



When horses are warm, they should never be 

 allowed more than a few mouthfuls of water ; neither 

 should they be permitted to drink too freely while on 



