348 [Assembly 



2d. To clean the stable, carry out all the straw litter, separate the 

 dry from the wet, place the wet in the manure heap, and expose the 

 dry in the open air for the ammoniacal gas to escape, and purify it 

 for use as bedding at night; sweep the stable perfectly clean, spread 

 a thin coat of charcoal dust in the stalls, to absorb the ammonia. 

 The usual mode is to roll the wet litter day after day under the man- 

 ger, and force the horse to inhale the gas arising from it, often en- 

 tailing disastrous consequences, besides infecting his food, and ren- 

 dering it unpalatable. Suffi-cient time having elapsed, while the 

 groom was clearing the stable, for the animals to consume their hay, 

 he proceeds. 



3d. Water the horse, and immediately after give him his usual feed 

 of oats or other grain. 



4th. Curry and brush the horse thorougly, and well rub his legs, in 

 order that the pores of the skin may be opened, the scurf removed 

 to excite insensible perspiration, and the blood caused to circulate 

 freely. Wash his eyes and nostrils wi^ a sponge, to free them of 

 dirt; take out all the sand and dirt that may have become fastened 

 in and under tlje shoe, and comb his tail and mane. This rule may 

 appear superfluous; still, next to food, it is the most important, and 

 must be insisted upon by the proprietor, if he desires his horse to 

 enjoy health, strength, constitution, and a fine glossy coat. High 

 grooming and exercise fit the racer and trotter for the endurance of 

 the fatigue of their great exploits, and show the importance of care 

 at all times to horses. 



If my arguments have not been such as to convince that soiling is 

 by far the best, I will offer a few additional reasons, which may ap- 

 pear more convincing, inasmuch as they are calculated to save thou- 

 sands of dollars. All are well aware that the most expensive item 

 about a farm, is fencing; nine out of ten of all the farmers in our 

 State, and other States throughout the Union, if they are compelled 

 to borrow money at all, borrow it to cover their farms with expensive, 

 and if they soil their cattle, entirely useless fences, for they are of no 

 earthly use, except to keep animals within certain bounds, and if they 

 are not permitted to run at large, the only fence required is one sur- 

 rounding the farm. - 



In the first place, the material is very expensive. 



In the second place, they occupy a great deal of room, which, on 

 a rich soil, might be advantageously used for agricultural purposes. 



