^^0 THE HORSS. 



lbs. of hay consnmcd. Lastly, the mean ration being settled by M. 

 Dubois at 26.4 lbs. of hay per head and per diem, and the weig-ht of 

 tb3 animal on being taken into the meadow being 828.3 lbs., this ra- 

 tion corresponds to 7.1 lbs. of hay for everj 220 ibs. weight of the 

 living animal. 



To sura up from the facts just stated on the subject of fattening, it 

 appears that the increase per day is : 



According to Thayer 0.98 per cent on the hay consumed. 



" Low 0.91 



" Stephenson, Ist lot 0.94 " 



2d 20.99 " 



3d 0.45 " 



Dubois 0.95 •* 



^ IV. OF HORSES. 



In what follows I shall limit myself to the consideration of the 

 horse in his relation to agricultural industry, and shall give the re- 

 sult of certain experiments which I have made upon his growth with 

 a view of solving the question, much disputed in various places at 

 the present time, whether or not the general farmer can breed hoi-ses 

 witli advantage to himself. 



The horse employed in farm labor ought to be spirited and strong : 

 attention to external form is only to be given in so far as it is an 

 indication of the qualities that are required. He ought therefore to 

 be broad in the chest and in the haunches, and his muscular system 

 ralist in general be decidedly developed. A horse of considerable 

 size, if he be otherwise exempt from defects, is generally preferable 

 to a small animal ; he is stronger, takes longer steps, and does more 

 for his keep than the other. We are not to require in the draught- 

 horse the vivacity and amount of spirit which we look for in the 

 saddle horse, yet he ought to have that liveliness which is almost 

 always a sign of health in animals. 



Thaer does not approve of the practice commonly followed at this 

 time of mixing with good draught horses the blood of stallions of 

 elegant shape, but little adapted to stand hard work. Although this 

 remark, is not without truth, it is still impossible to deny that in many 

 cases the employment of stallions of some breeding has much im- 

 proved the race of draught-horses in various districts. It is not 

 besides unworthy of attention, that it is really important for the 

 farmer to have a breed which he can readily dispose of to advantage, 

 particularly in those countries where horses for cavalry and artillery 

 service are in request. My own observation would lead me to say, 

 that the breeds in France are frequently improve*^ by crossing with 

 stallions of the royal studs. The effect from this procedure has not 

 ]ierhaps been so great as might reasonably have been expected, still 

 evident progress has been made. 



The mare will take the stallion at about the age of three years ; but 

 it is seldom that the animal is covered at so early an age ; on the 

 farm she will be at least five or six years of age before this is allow- 

 ed, especially if the animal is to be worked during the time she is 

 with foal J and the same consideration leads us to say, that a mare 



