Among Horses in India. 37 



the furrows soaks into the ground where the roots are, with- 

 out reaching to and spoiling the stalks. 



In good rich soil lucern managed in this way grows to a 

 height of eighteen inches or two feet, but in poor soil it is 

 rarely more than eight or ten inches high before it begins to 

 bloom. It should not be allowed to run to seed, because a 

 great deal of the nutriment is then lost, and the stalks begin 

 to harden. 



In very sandy soil the system of ridges and furrows does 

 not answer well, on account of the earth drying too rapidly. 



It is better then, after ploughing in the manure, to make 

 the ground smooth and level, plant the seed in lines, and 

 allow the lower part of the stalks to be spoilt by the water 

 used in irrigation. The lines in this case should not be more 

 than one foot apart, in order that the plants, being close 

 together, may shade the soil from the sun and so help to keep 

 it moist. 



One difficulty that may be encountered on first starting a 

 lucern plot arises from the fondness which ants have for the 

 seed. In loose soil they will take up and carry away a large 

 proportion, if they happen to be at all numerous. I know of 

 no remedy in such a case except planting a larger quantity 

 of seed than usual, and making the ridges as hard as possible 

 by beating them with the flat of the spade. If the lucern 

 after sprouting appear too thick in places, it should be thinned 

 out. 



In the Bengal Presidency the seed may be bought from 

 the Government Botanical Garden at Saharunpore. It 

 can also be obtained from Afghanistan, where it is grown 

 extensively. 



Green Wheat. 



Green wheat is very wholesome food, and may be given in 

 quantities of five sirs daily where horses are not required for 

 hard work. It has a great effect in making the coat glossy 

 and if supplied for several weeks will often produce a total 

 change in a horse which has been thin and hidebound, 

 making him put on flesh and get into healthy condition. 



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