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came to the conclusion that that horse was the most profitable 

 which would consume the greatest amount of grain. The animal 

 thus fed could be worked a greater length of time continuously, 

 the exact quantity of food required for a given amount of force 

 has not been definitely ascertained. When a horse is fed on hay, 

 for example, a considerable portion of heat-producing material is 

 required to be digested beyond what the animal needs while 

 laboring. If a horse be high fed while not in active exercise, he 

 becomes diseased in various ways. It is difficult to estimate the 

 quantity of work represented by a bushel of oats. However, the 

 matter is practical. The experience of every farmer will deter- 

 mine the truth of the position that an animal can also adapt 

 himself to the varying conditions arising from an altered kind of 

 food. The doctor alluded to dyspepsia as a disease not exclusively 

 incidental to humanity. A horse was occasionally dyspeptic, or 

 hide bound, from being fed upon improper materials, and from 

 other causes. 



Mr. Judd asked whether Dr. Waterbury thought the more 

 concentrated the food the better ? Particularly as to corn meal, 

 was it true that it " would heat the blood'!'' 



The Doctor, in reply, said that for two months he was forced to 

 feed a horse on half a bushel of oats per day, and the animal, 

 though unable to get at hay, increased in power; nevertheless he 

 did not recommend the plan altogether; it was putting too much 

 steam on, and he would be done up the sooner. The horse, with 

 that high feeding was often driven fifty or sixty miles a day. 



It was here proposed to pass over the subject for the day. 



Mr. Judd hoped they would not pass on Avith so little said 

 upon a subject so important, especially just at this time of the 

 year. To say nothing of the country, there w^ere thousands of poor 

 cartmen in the city who could scarcely obtain feed for their 

 horses during the present " cold term." They want some light 

 on the question as to what is the best, the cheapest provender for 

 their animals. Is it hay at ^20 to $30 per ton, or oats at 62 cents 

 to 75 cents per bushel, or corn at $1 ? Or what is the best ? He 

 hoped those experienced in feeding animals would give their 

 views, for this question was of more practical importance than a 

 hundred wind-mills, the merits of which they might discuss at 

 any time. He would throw out another hint for discussion. In 

 the upper part of the city were any number of cold, bleak stables 

 or sheds where horses were kept. A trifle of labor expended in 

 " corking up'' some of the air gaps would save bushels and 



