38 
DOMESTIC ANIMATS. 
structed, as in summer to admit the greatest possible quantity of cool 
air, and in winter to admit sufficient for the preservation of the purity 
of the atmosphere, without running any risk from cold draughts. Care 
must also be taken not to admit draughts of air near the horse’s heels, 
or diseased legs will be the result. Draughts cannot be too carefully 
guarded against, nor is it requisite that such should occur, if a little 
forethought only be exercised. Some writers on the subject advocate a 
chimney-shaft to be erected in the stable, by which the foul air can best 
escape, and also the admission of fresh air over the animal’s head by 
means of perforated zinc. 
Cleanliness. — The next consideration, and it is not less important than 
either of the preceding, is that of cleanliness. Too many persons be- 
lieve, or they act as so believing, that the more a horse stands and sleeps 
among the filth of his own fitter, the more he thrives. This is an error 
of ignorance or of idleness, perhaps both combined. The effect of it at 
any rate is to make the animal, in addition to breathing his own breath 
again, inhale the fetid ammoniacal steams which arise from his own 
ordure and urine. We have even heard farmers defend this mode, on 
the ground that the manure is better, as though the manure were worth 
any thing in comparison with the horse. 
The Stable Floor. — A brick or stone stable floor is the best; if the lat- 
ter, the stone should be roughened with small furrows, and in either 
case a deep drain sunk outside of the stable is necessary for keeping it 
perfectly dry, without which either brick or stone floors will be preju- 
dicial from damp. This is of the utmost importance. Neither should 
such draius be used to carry off the urine. The floor should slope an 
inch to a yard, but only to the gutter which carries off the urine. In- 
deed, if this is carried off by an iron pipe with suitable openings, so 
much the better. A tub sunk outside the stable as a receptacle for the 
urine, will soon amply repay the farmer for his trouble; it is too valu- 
able to be permitted to diffuse itself over the dung-heap in the yard, to 
be washed away by the first shower of rain. 
Litter should always be allowed for a horse to stale upon, as it is 
easily removed, and a little gypsum thrown down occasionally will keep 
the stable free from smells. Nothing can be more offensive to either 
horse or man than the smell of putrid urine, whilst if this be permitted 
to run into a proper receptacle, and a little sulphuric acid added occa- 
sionally, nothing can exceed its value as a manure, which the farmer 
should be as careful to preserve as he is the corn which it fertilizes. 
Within reason, the more room a horse has in his stall the less liable 
will he be to swollen legs. In no instance ought he to have less room 
than six feet, and if ten can be afforded him, so much the more will he 
thrive, the comfort being especially felt after a hard day’s work. Loose 
boxes are indispensable to horses of value. 
A perfect stable should never have a hay-loft over it. This of course 
will give a little more trouble to the stable-man, but where the comfort 
of a horse is concerned, that is of no consequence whatever. A deep 
manger with two or three iron bars across is far preferable to a rack or 
well for the reception of hay, and will more effectually prevent waste. 
An arrangement for water should also be provided. The front must of 
