ON THE MANAGEMENT OF FARM HORSES. 
179 
for 100 lbs. of beans; so that it appears that though the nutri- 
ment contained in beans is one-fourth more than that contained in 
hay, yet, when the flesh-making constituents are required, it is a 
somewhat cheaper source than oats, and still more concentrated. 
If, however, beans are given very freely, they have a very heating 
or stimulating effect : the blood abounds too much with fibrine, 
and inflammatory swellings of the limbs and the absorbent vessels 
occur ; so that beans require to be given with moderation and 
caution, and are principally of service when horses are severely 
worked, in which case they are given with advantage in com- 
bination with oats, and in the proportion of one-third or one- 
half the weight in beans. When oats are very dear and beans 
are moderate in price, there is, of course, a disposition to substitute 
the one for the other, and it is thought that if combined with bran 
their injurious effects may be obviated. This, however, is the case 
only to a certain extent : beans are very astringent in their nature, 
whilst bran, from its mechanical effects, is relaxing, and so far 
these substances supply each other’s deficiencies; also with regard 
to fat, with which bran abounds and beans are deficient. In 
other respects beans and bran closely resemble each other, both 
abounding with albuminous elements ; whilst beans, as compared 
with oats, are deficient in starch, &c., and in bran scarcely any 
exists, so that these two substances are not capable of supplying 
each other’s deficiencies. The writer experienced this fact during 
the last year, when, in consequence of the excessive price of oats, 
he endeavoured to substitute a bushel of beans and a bushel of 
bran for two bushels of oats, but it was soon found that the horses 
did not do so well on this diet. 
With regard to the use of roots as food for horses, there is only 
one that can with any advantage be employed, viz., carrots ; for 
we find that horses altogether refuse mangold-wurzel and com- 
mon turnips, and will eat only a very moderate quantity of swedes. 
I am inclined to think, however, that the merits of carrots have 
been greatly overrated when they have been sold at such prices as 
40$. to 50$. per ton for the purpose of feeding horses. Let us 
endeavour to see, however, whether carrots are adapted to supply 
the place of oats and beans. We may, I think, consider that an 
average-sized cart-horse will require daily, when moderately 
worked, between 16 and 17 lbs. of the best hay, — 
Starch, &c. Fat. Albumen, &e. 
Best hay, between 16 and 17 lbs., containing 
6*66 
•66 
1-5 
Oats 10 lbs 
4' 6 
• 5 
11 
Making together 
11*26 
1-16 
2-6 
