36 Domestic ANIMALS. 
contains in it an exceedingly large quantity of hartshorn; and 
not only so, but that, influenced by the heat of a crowded 
stable, and possibly by other decompositions that are going for- 
wird at the same time, this ammoniacal vapor begins to be 
rapidly given out almost immediately after the urine is voided.” 
2. Litter—The facts just stated in reference to the plenti- 
ful escape of ammoniacal gas from the urine, show the necessity 
of frequently removing the litter which is soon saturated with 
it. It rapidly putrefies, emitting noisome odors and contami- 
nating the air. Everything hastening decomposition should be 
carefully removed where life and health are to be preserved. 
Litter that has been much wetted and has begun to decay 
should be swept out every morning. 
No heap of fermenting dung should be suffered to remain 
during the day in the corner or any part of the stable. 
8. Grooming.—Of this little need be said to the farmer in 
reference to his working horses, since custom, and apparently 
without ill effect, has allotted to them so little of the comb 
and brush. ‘The animal that is worked all day and turned 
out at night,” Youatt says, “‘ requires little more to be done to 
him than to have the dirt brushed off his limbs. Regular 
grooming, by rendering his skin more sensible to the alteration 
of temperature and the inclemency of the weather, would be 
prejudicial. The horse that is altogether turned out, needs no 
grooming. The dandruff or scurf, which accumulates at the 
roots of the hair, is a provision of nature to defend him from 
the wind and the cold. 
“Té is to the stabled horse, highly fed and little or irreg- 
ularly worked, that grooming is of so much consequence, 
Good rubbing with the brush or the curry-comb opens the 
pores of the skin, circulates the blood to the extremities of 
the body, produces free and healthy perspiration, and stands in 
the recom of exercise. No horse will carry a fine coat without 
either unnatural heat or dressing. They both effect the same 
purpose; they both increase the inscnsible perspiration; but 
the first does it at the expense of health and strength, while 
