I860.] 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



531 



seen cases, (though they were rare,) of both 

 young pines and broom grass growing vigo- 

 rously on well marled surfaces, but of which 

 the subsoil still remained, as the soils had 

 been previously to the marling, non-calcare- 

 ous and acid. It would seem, from such 

 facts, that provided these plants have a suf- 

 ficient layer of acid or non-calcareous earth 

 from which to derive their specific aliment, 

 they are not greatly damaged by striking 

 other roots into a highly calcareous bed. 

 Bat all such caies are but rare exceptions, 

 and often but apparent and really deceptions 

 exceptions, to the general rule, that a soil, 

 throughout calcareous, or containing carbo- 

 nate of lime, is inimical, and generally de- 

 structive, to the growth of the ordinary 

 southern pines, and to broom-grass. Of 

 these, as of all agricultural facts, we should 

 reason and decide upon general rules, and 

 not upon their exceptions. 



Of the still more reliable indication of 

 acid, on non-calcareous soils, sheep-sorrel, 

 (rumex acetosus,) I did not see a single 

 plant. Its growth here is probably forbid- 

 den by the warm climate, (as it is very fore 

 even in lower South Carolina) — as it would 

 certainly be prevented- by this calcareous 

 soil, even if the climate were entirely favor- 

 able to its growth. But there is such full 

 proof, elsewhere, that this plant, even where 

 most favored by climate, cannot grow on a 

 calcareous soil, that he who requires more 

 proof of that fact is either uninformed of 

 the proofs, or incapable of being convinced 

 of error, and past the hope of being instruc- 

 ted in truth, in cases where prejudice had 

 obtained prior possession of his mind. 



Grooming a Horse. 



" What do you /'give your horses to keep 

 them in such fine condition ?" asked a young- 

 farmer of his neighbor, whose team of bays 

 was the pride of their owner, and the admi- 

 ration of the village. " Oats, carrots, and 

 plenty of brush," was the reply. There is 

 little need of insisting on the necessity of 

 good food, and plenty of it, to have a horse 

 remain vigorous. Every one knows that 

 bone, and sinew, and muscle are manufac- 

 tured from hay, oats, corn, etc., and that the 

 raw material must be supplied to produce 

 the strong limb, elastic step, and noble spirit, 

 which make a fine horse the universal favor- 

 ite he is. But the important part which the 

 skin bears in the animal economy, and the 



necessity of properly cleansing and keeping 

 it in healthy condition, are not fully appre- 

 ciated. Rough staring coats, " grease ' or 

 " scratches," inflammations, and a whole cat- 

 alogue of diseases find their origin in neg- 

 lect of proper grooming. 



The skin of the horse, like that of other 

 animals, not only affords protection to the 

 parts within, but by the pores affords an out- 

 let to a large part of the waste of the body. 

 In outdoor life, the natural state of the 

 horse, this membrane becomes thickened 

 and tough, capable of resisting changes of 

 temperature ; and by continual exercise, the 

 pores are kept open, giving free exit to ail 

 the exhalations. But this alone will not give 

 the smooth glossy coat which adds so greatly 

 to the animal's beauty. Confining the horse 

 to the stable, as is generally done for at 

 least part of the year, renders his skin 

 tender, especially when he is kept warmly 

 blanketed. Expose him now to great 

 change of temperature; take him out and 

 drive him until heated, return to the stable, 

 and let him stand uncared for over night, 

 even for an hour, the sensitive skin is rapid- 

 ly chilled by the evaportion of the sweat, 

 the pores are suddenly closed, and often a 

 cold, a rheumatic stiffness or other disorder 

 results. Proper grooming prevents this, by 

 toughening the skin, keeps it in healthy ac- 

 tion, equalizing the circulation, removing 

 obstruction from the pores, and what is of 

 great importance, by rousing the action of 

 the muscles at the surface, in some measure, 

 compensates for the want of exercise conse- 

 quent upon stable life. 



Currying and brushing should not be 

 done in the stable ; the dust and scurf will 

 be scattered in the manager to mix with 

 the horse feed, besides keeping the stable 

 uncleanly. Take the animal into the open 

 air, tie him securely, and handle him so 

 gently that he will enjoy, rather than dread, 

 the application of the comb and brush. A 

 sharp currycomb, roughly scraped over the 

 tender skin, is anything but pleasant, as 

 the shrinking and resisting animal will soon 

 show. Apply this instrument lightly, and 

 depend mainly upon the free use of the 

 brush. Begin at the head, and pass the 

 comb lightly up and down until the dan- 

 druff is all loosened, remove it with the 

 brush. Be particular around the edges of 

 the fore-top, and the mane. It is a good 

 plan to sponge off the head and ears using 

 but little water, smoothing the hair down to 



