VIEWS OF A VETERAN. 141 



then it can be opened to any extent desired for ventilation. Ad- 

 ditional ventilation may be necessary, especially when the weather 

 is too cold to open the window. This is easily obtained by nailing 

 four boards together, enclosing a space of six or more inches, and 

 fasten this near the wall, with the lower end ona or two feet above 

 the stable floor, running it up through the roof and two or three 

 feet above it. Over this set a cover a foot higher to keep out rain 

 and snow. This ventUator draws ia the foul air near the floor, and 

 dissipates it above the roof, allowing pure air to take its place. 

 The decided benefit of such a ventilator is, that it neutralizes drafts, 

 and guards the horse from taking cold when the outside air is raw 

 or very chiUy. If one is not sufficient to do this, another may be 

 added, in which case place them a few feet apart in the stall. It is 

 cheaper to put in aU such arrangements when the barn is being 

 buUt than to add them later. 



THE MANGEE. 



The manger should be set at the north end of the stall, boardiag 

 up near to it sufficiently high from the floor, and long and wide 

 enough to hold a suitable ration of hay. Some prefer a rack set on 

 a level with the head of the horse. This should never be higher, as 

 it is unnatural for the horse, and sometimes, perhaps, painful and 

 likely to get seed in his eyes as he reaches up to pull out his hay. 

 ^ iron rack is generally preferable to one of wood. 



THE FLOOR. 



Sand is the best substance for the floor of the stall, and it is 

 drier and more elastic than other soil for the feet to rest on. 

 Plank or wooden blocks are next best. Cement becomes slip- 

 pery, and if a little wet it is difficult for the horse to get up 

 after lying down, for there is nothing on it to assist his feet. 

 Moreover, it is harder than plank, and more trying to the feet and 

 legs. Stone is not to be thought of, it is too hard and rough. 

 These floors should be abundantly littered. Peat moss, as now 

 pressed in bales and sold ia market, is most approved, as it is soft 

 and elastic, absorbs fluids quickly, and fixes ammonia in a superior 

 manner; thus neutralizing ail unpleasant smell and injurious- 

 ness to the eyes, and adds value to the manure heap. It has the 

 further merit that it can be dried and used several times more than 

 other kinds of litter. Straw, salt meadow and marsh hay make 

 excellent bedding ; but it is advisable to pass these through the fod- 

 der cutter before usiag them, for when shortened from full length 

 the horse cannot so weU paw the litter into heaps under it. It also 



