AMERICAN INSTITUTE 539 



and cleaned, which is a great advantage. With fast mangers 

 this cannot be done. Fixed mangers are often daubed by the 

 saliva issuing from the horse's mouth during the time of feeding; 

 or the discharges proceeding from his nostrils when laboring 

 under colds, or other more dangerous disorders. A better 

 method is to make boxes ten feet square, with neither racks or 

 mangers. The head is boarded about three feet from the ground, 

 having a space about two feet from the wall, in which the hay 

 is to be deposited, the horse pulling his hay from below instead 

 of drawing it from above; which is not only more natural but 

 prevents waste of hay. Whatever falls is received among that 

 from which it was taken. A drawer may be contrived to receive 

 the oats. The bottom of this box should be level, as it is obvious 

 if it slopes as is the usual mode, that the tendons, or sinews of 

 the pastern joints must be kept constantly stretched. It may be 

 kept dry by paving, leaving a small drain in the middle, extend- 

 ing within a foot of the upper end of tlie box. This drain may 

 be from four to six inches deep, and covered with a strong oak 

 plank bored full of holes; so arranged that it may be lifted at 

 pleasure, and the drain cleaned. The pavement may have a 

 declination from their sides towards the drains of about an inch, 

 which will prevent moisture standing upon them, and thus save 

 litter and prevent disorders in the feet and heels of the horses. 

 Contiguous to the boxes, a place sliould be provided for the 

 reception of harness and other kindred matters. The oat-bin 

 should be so constructed above, that the proper feed may be 

 regulated and received from a spout in tlie different mangers. 

 The principal points to be attended to in the construction of cow 

 stables is that they be capable of free and easy ventilation; that 

 they require little labor in administering the food and cleaning 

 away the excrement; and that the stalls be so contrived as to 

 keep the cattle perfectly dry, airy and cool. And have conven- 

 ient and suitable drains and reservoirs for the reception of excre- 

 mentitious matters. Unless cow stables are thoroughly ventilated, 

 the animals are liable to be disordered by the condensed perspi- 

 ration and fumes arising from their respiration, as well as from 

 cold proceeding from the quick evaporation that takes place in 



