Among Horses in India. 5 



the year, for except in the depth of the cold season there can- 

 not be too free a circulation of air. 



EOOFS. 



The roof is generally made of tiles, or corrugated iron. 

 The latter, so far as I have seen, is always single, but ought 

 certainly to be double, with a space of two feet between the 

 inner and outer layers. Such an arrangement, especially if the 

 outside of the upper layer were painted white, would keep 

 out the heat of the sun much more effectually than a single 

 roof. 



Jhamps and Chicks. 



Towards the more northern parts of the Bengal Presidency 

 the winds are sometimes very cold in the winter-time, and 

 the horses are much benefited by protection from them such 

 as can readily be given by what are called jhamps or chicks. 

 The former are portable screens, formed by fixing long grass 

 like thatch into a frame of bamboos. 



Chicks are made by weaving strong cord round thin pieces 

 of split bamboo, so as to hold them closely side by side in a 

 horizontal position, something like the laths in a Venetian 

 blind. They are much more durable than jhamps, but do 

 not give so much protection from the winds. Of course the 

 climate of a station decides which are preferable. Unfor- 

 tunately in many garrisons, where they would be beneficial, 

 the stables are not provided with them ; but they should be 

 supplied for all stations from Lucknow northwards, and 

 would often be useful at night as far to the south-east as 

 Dinapore. 



Blankets. 



In the colder stations great attention should be given to 

 the quality of the blankets with which the horses are pro- 

 vided by Government. They are all country made, and are 

 sufficiently long and broad ; but are often so thin that the 

 daylight can easily be seen through them. A blanket to be 

 really good ought not to weigh less than six pounds ; but in 

 some districts it is very difficult to procure them of that 



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