202 Soiling. 



meadow. This will furnish the colts abundant 

 room to make trials of speed, and aflford all the ex- 

 ercise necessary to develop muscle. This run-way 

 is easily fenced so substantially as to prevent the 

 colts from jumping, and thus becoming trouble- 

 some. I have raised a dozen colts in this way, and 

 found them to develop in every respect as well as 

 those pastured. We found this plan to work with 

 brood mares and their foals. Having the food of 

 the mares wholly under control, their production of 

 milk will be more uniform, and the growth of their 

 foals much better, than on pasture. The dam re- 

 quires full feeding upon appropriate food, and this 

 may always be given in soiling, as an)- defect in the 

 succulence or nutrition of grasses or other soiling 

 foods may be supplemented with middlings, oil 

 meal and oats. The foals are also constantly under 

 the eye of the feeder, easily become accustomed to 

 handling, and may be taught to take other food at 

 a younger age. Early familiarity with the attend- 

 ant and docility are not only favorable to the foal's 

 progress in development, but to its easy manage- 

 ment at the training age. The vigorous, steady, and 

 healthy growth of colts is most essential to their 

 future value as serviceable animals, and, therefore, 

 to the profit of the breeder. Soiling offers the most 

 complete control over the food and management of 

 colts; and therefore, under this system, they may be 

 grown with much more uniform success, and, on 

 land worthy $50 or more per acre, much cheaper 

 than by pasturing. The foal responds more quickly 



