("warm) regularly given to them ; but as the authority 

 of T. C. Curwen, Esq. M.P. of Workington Hall, 

 Cumberland, is infinitely more valuable than mine on 

 this subject; I shall quote the follo^ving passag-es from 

 his "Agricultural Hints:" — 



"It requires from 5 to 6 hours for a horse to mas- 

 " ticate a stone of hay, whilst he will eat a stone of 

 " potatoes in twenty minutes or less. The saving of 

 " four hours for rest, is alone sufficient to produce the 

 " greatest difference in the health and condition of 

 " the animaL After gre^t fatigue also, a horse woxdd 

 " be tempted to take warm food when he would not 

 ** eat hay. 1 hare at this time in my works, horses 

 " which were purchased six years ago of a farmer, 

 " who was seUing oflF his stock as worn out, and of 

 " httle value, and which ara yet able to do their 

 ** work with the best horses I have. I tliink there is 

 " little doubt of the life of this valuable animal, 

 " being considerably prolonged by this mode of feed- 



" ing I have begun to mix an equal quantity of 



" cut straw and potatoes; racks are according to this 

 " mode of feeding, as imnecessary as they are pro- 

 " ductive of waste, for to save trouble, they are 

 " always filled; and what is not eaten is so tainted 

 " with the breath of the animal as to be wasted." 



If your horses be badly fed, they can only do half 

 work; consequently half the time of ploughman and 

 driver (if you fooUshly employ one) is lost. But the 

 matter is this : if yoii feed your horses as you should 

 do, the cost will be 201. 8s. 2d. for each; and if you 

 half starve them, they will do little work and die pre- 

 maturely. It is clear that, except, perhaps, on the 

 sea side, where the drawing of sea-weed and sand 

 may repay, or where horse labour on public works, 

 &c, &c. can be constantly had ; you should not keep a 

 horse on a very small farm ; hire a plough and harrow 

 occasionally, (which may be got for a comparative 

 trifle,) on small holdings; for unless there is a demand 

 for horse labour in youi- neighboui-hood, your cattlo 



