FODDER IN INDIA. ' 21 



time (as soon as the grass is long enough to get hold of at 

 all), the grass is growing all the time and growing fast. If 

 not using the mowing machines cut by weight, or pattis if 

 it is more economical for the farm this way, and the cutting 

 is more easily regulated as regards the quantity required 

 daily. In small stations you can generally finish cutting 

 ^arly enough to issue in the evening. If you can manage this 

 do so. In large stations it is almost always out of the 

 question, but load up your carts over night and have 

 them on the ration stands just after daylight which will 

 give you time to unload and have the grass well shaken 

 up and free from the smell and steam caused by 

 fermentation, before the time for drawing rations arrives 

 (usually 6 a.m.). A green grass issue is never "over- 

 popular," and this word is hardly sufficiently expres- 

 sive where a jull green ration is in question. There are 

 several reasons for this state of affairs and all more or 

 less reasonable at any rate from the recipients point of view, 

 and the farm manager while doing the best he can for his 

 farm must be reasonably sympathetic, tactful, and not over 

 selfish. Then matters will generally run smoothly. Don't 

 try to be too smart, don't try to rush in anything at all for 

 igsue, rubbish, weeds, dirt, and some grass, such attempts 

 generally fail entirely sooner or later and most certainly do 

 more to "damn the green issue" and get folks backs up than, 

 anything else ; by all means keep in view the interests of 

 your farm, your outturn (fearful word^ books, etc. ; but 

 study the old horse a bit too — it's his grub ; most Officers 

 Commanding will meet you all the way or at least a good bit 

 of it if they see you are " playing the game," not all for 

 yourself and making the farm at the expense of the regiment 

 and the horses. Any surplus left on a ration stand or a plot 

 should invariably be siloed and on no account be again 

 tendered for issue on the morrow. This can be easily 

 arranged. You may say it's' no worse and easily "mixed 

 in ! " We know all about that, it may be clever. It's not 

 "cricket." 



