1 82 THROUGH STABLE AND SADDLE-ROOM. 



readily procured. They are, of course, in the 

 market, but they are, as a rule, grown for home 

 consumption. 



Oats are sold very generally over England by 

 the ' quarter,' as it is termed. A quarter consists of 

 two sacks, and a sack consists of four bushels. A 

 bushel of oats should weigh not less than 3 8 lb., 

 exclusive, of course, of the weight of the bushel- 

 measure. In order to test the weight of oats, adopt 

 the following plan : First carefully weigh the empty 

 bushel-measure, then fill it with oats as rapidly as 

 possible, brush off the oats level with the top of 

 the measure by means of a flat stick turned edge- 

 wise (a broom-handle will answer the purpose), and 

 weigh the measure full. Subtract the weight of 

 the empty measure from the full weight, and the 

 result will give you the number of pounds to the 

 bushel. Oats weighing 3 8 lb. to the bushel may 

 be considered as fair, 40 lb. as good, and all above 

 that as very good. There are varieties of oats 

 which come into the market at weights very con- 

 siderably in excess of 40 lb. to the bushel, such as 

 some of the Scotch and Irish varieties ; but these 

 are not to be bought except at high prices. Of 

 course, the heavier the oat the better, provided that 

 the skins are not unduly thick. Good honest oats 

 of 38 lb. to 39 lb. to the bushel may be bought 



