driviLg, fretting, or whipping is allowed under 
any circumstances. 
Good teamers are hard to get. If the feet 
get grown out long when plowing, I take off 
the shoes, being careful to remove all nails, 
and round off a little the sharp edge of the 
hoof to keep it from splitting, then let them 
go barefoot a little while—if only a few days 
or a week—as it rests the feet, hardens the 
hoof, and develops the frog. Blacksmiths are 
too fond of cutting away the frog; I do not 
allow it. Trimming off the ragged edges 
with a knife is all that should be done. 
The harness must be kept well oiled and soft, 
especially during the spring and summer to 
prevent sores; if any come, attend to them at 
once, washing with castile soap and then put¬ 
ting on some grease. Prompt and careful 
attention will save time in the end. 
Talladega, Ala. 
FROM J. M. RICE. 
Many of the farmers of the far West have 
but few convenient buildings with their many 
appliances for the care and comfort of their 
farm teams; but, nevertheless, they so feed and 
care for them that they do an immense amount 
of work. My usual feed during summer for a 
1,200 or 1,400-pound horse is at first four 
quarts of oats, increasing to six quarts during 
the hardest part of the work. I feed long hay, 
all they will eat, but put no more in the man¬ 
gers than they will eat up clean at one time. 
1 throw out any refuse before feeding again, 
and feed three times a day. We commence 
work at 6.30 and quit at 11.30 to rest until 1, 
and close work for the day at 5:30, unless 
there is an unusual press of work, when we 
give a feed at five and work until seven. We 
water just before going to the field each time 
and as we come in from work. We use no 
protection against flies, but some kind of net 
should bo w orn during a portion of the season- 
If the stable is kept well bedded, and the horse 
has the run of a yard a little while each even¬ 
ing, we should not spend much time grooming. 
But few root crops are raised. I should 
feed bran if the horses were inclined to con¬ 
stipation, but here, where a large amount of 
oat-straw is fed, there is no trouble in that 
direction. Sinoe coming to Kansas we have 
had no more serious disease than flatulent 
colic in a mild form from a change of feed, 
and it did not require any treatment. A year 
ago in another Slate change of climate, water, 
and unaccustomed feed frequently brought on 
severe attacks of flatulent colic. We found 
that two tablespoonfuls each of fluid extract of 
laudanum and asafoetida and ope tablespoon¬ 
ful of ether diluted with one pint of water 
and given as a drench was the best remedy. 
Rub the back and sides well. 
In a general way, I should say take reason¬ 
ably good care of your team. Good condition 
is shown by a smooth coat of hair. Feed and 
water as nearly at the same time each day as 
possible. Just notice the lank look of a horse 
even the next day after he had to wait until 
mid-afternoon for the usual noon feed. In this 
respect judge your team by yourself. A half¬ 
day’s hard driving, or some other unusual 
work will hurt the horses worse than a 
week’s steady plowing. On the other hand, 
do not be a slave to your horse. You are 
worth more than he is. Be careful of him, 
but at the same time be careful of yourself. 
Don’t work hard all day with your team, and 
then while they are eating and resting spend 
an hour or two fussing with them. 
McPherson Co., Kansas. 
FROM H. A. WHITTEMORE. 
I never feed my teams oftener than twice 
a day, except during spring work, when I 
give an additional feeding of about six quarts 
of carrots at noon to each horse. I feed 
mostly ground oafs or two bushels of oats 
and one of barley ground. During the two 
busy months of spring and summer work 
I feed eight quarts of oats (ground) at night 
and four quarts in the morning. If feeding 
oats and barley—six quarts at night and three 
in the morning—I also feed what hay they will 
eat. A horse will eat in hay about three pounds 
for every 100 pounds he weighs, that Is, a 
horse weighing 1,000 pounds will eat about 30 
pounds of hay every 24 hours, or its equivalent 
in jfrain or straw, etc. I feed my hay 
long, as I have no cutting-box, but I am 
well convinced there is economy in the use 
of cut or chopped feed. During 10 months of 
the year I feed but twice in 24 hours, and as 
nearly as possible at six o’clock morning and 
night—four quarts to each at each feed, and a 
moderate amount of hay, never varying my 
feed whether the horses are at work or idle. 
For at least one-third of every 24 hour* there 
is no feed in their mangers, first because all 
good feeders will overload their stomachs and 
thereby void some of their food undigested; 
secondly, because if the animals are to be 
driven there is in the stomach an excess that 
must be voided in order to give them perfect 
ease in fast driving or on a long drive. My 
horses go at their work at seven a. m., and 
are kept at it until 15 minutes to 12; they 
start again at one and work to 15 min¬ 
utes to six: about 10 hours’ work, with one 
hour’s nooning. When they come from work 
they are unharnessed and their shoulders where 
the collars come are thoroughly sponged with 
warm water; then they are wiped dry and 
blanketed. On coming in they have a few 
swallows of water and hay for an hour, and 
are watered and fed grain for the night. 
I water them the first thing in the morning, 
again before harnessing for work, a little on 
coming in at noon, all they want before going 
out to work and all they want at night; al¬ 
ways leaving a pailful where they can reach 
it in the night. I never water them when 
overheated, nor do I give them a large 
amount at one time when they are very thirs¬ 
ty. For my own comfort as well as for that 
of the horse, in fly time, I use nets or blankets 
and have made a decoction of steeped hickory 
leaves, and sponge my horses with it, which is 
a good protection for a time, but nets are pre¬ 
ferable. No horse is in perfect trim for a 
good day’s work or a drive which has not been 
thoroughly groomed—not merely brushed 
over, but rubbed and curried. Few farmers 
know the value of pea straw as a wisp to rub 
with; it is as nearly an equal of the curry¬ 
comb as anything. An old saying, almost 
half true is, “a good grooming is equal to four 
quarts of oats.” 
I hardly think I could pull through my 
spring work without a liberal supply of good 
fresh carrots for my noon feeding. They are 
laxative, diuretic and an alterative, and a 
general regulator. I am very regular in salt¬ 
ing twice each week. The salt, with the 
carrots, usually keeps the bowels in a healthy 
condition. 
I have not had a sick horse in many years 
except some ailing from azoturia caused by 
idleness when kept on their regular feed. 
This is a disease of the blood affecting the 
kidneys, caused by overfeeding on feed rich in 
albuminoids, and want of exercise. Active 
exercise is almost an unfailing preventive. 
A s regards the epizootic of years ago or of laie 
years, neither of my horses had a touch or 
the least symptom of it. Regularity in feed¬ 
ing with plenty of water is the best medicine 
a horse can have. 
For ten months of the year I never feed 
anything at noon, never vary the quantity of 
feed, and feed at the same hours morning 
and night—six o'clock usually every day. 
Horses are as close to humanity as any domes¬ 
ticated animal—they are subject to diseases 
akin to those of human flesh, and such diseases 
require about the same treatment — only 
about eight times as much of it. The great 
secret of so much disease among horses hinges 
on excessive feeding, especially of hay, and 
fast driving when the stomach is crowded to 
its fullest capacity. When horses are idle, do 
not crowd all the hay the manger will hold; 
let it be empty one-third of the time and 
let the horse well digest what he has eaten: 
Chautauqua Co. 
FROM A. G. STURDEVANT. 
The prevailing custom of feeding horses 
through the Southern States probably would 
savor too strongly of negligence to suit North¬ 
ern farmers. Still the general results obtained 
from the plan in use here seem to warrant its 
continuance. Through the winter season 
horses are wintered on corn-fodder and hay, 
with corn enough to keep them in good condi¬ 
tion. When spring work begins we feed three 
times a day, from six to 12 ears of corn with 
what good hay they will eat; the latter is seldom 
cut but fed long and slightly dampened. Teams 
work in the spring from about six a. m. till 
11 >30 a. m. and from one p. m. till sundown 
in summer, and from 4:30 or five a. m. till 11 
A. M. and from two till sundown. We water 
four or five times during the day. Most 
farmers feed blade-fodder in the morning in¬ 
stead of hay. A horse will eat two bundles of 
blades much quicker than the same amount of 
hay. Of course, these rules of feeding apply 
only to the Southern States. Where we de¬ 
pend upon colored help we find the simpler 
the method the better. 
Horses are generally protected from the 
flies by some kind of net or cover. Grooming 
depends upon the amount of help about the 
farm. In winter few farmers pay as much 
attention to this as thej should. Usually as 
soon as fed in the morning, if the weather is 
clear, the horses are turned into the yard to 
roll in the straw, eat a little of it, sun them¬ 
selves, and take what exercise they require. 
As soon as the hands set in in the spring every 
horse, mule, and colt around the farm must 
be groomed at least once a day-work teams 
twice or more. Few feed roots, or use any¬ 
thing to keep the bowels open. Constipation 
seldom requires treatment here. As a rule, 
horses are unusually free from disease in this 
State excepting in the fall: then in sections 
near the Chesapeake Bay blind-staggers kill off 
many valuable teams. The most common 
complaint among horses is colic. The most 
effective remedy for this,that I have ever tried, 
is one ounce of laudanum and 25 drops of 
aconite root. This seldom if ever fails. 
If the first dose does not give relief, give a 
second, always diluting it with weak spirits or 
water, making at least a pint for a drench. 
Never work a horse that refuses his feed. 
Give him rest. Most of the younger horses 
are troubled with lampas in the spring. If 
you love your horse, don’t have the roof of 
his mouth burnt. Some contend that doing so 
does not hurt. To these I would say let them 
try it on themselves and see. As treatment, 
just cut the first wrinkle in a few places, so it 
will start the blood, and in a day or so the 
swelling will be entirely reduced. For a gall 
burn or scratches, keep pure white lead and 
oil around the stable. Apply the mixture as 
thin as paint; it is cooling and healing. A 
team treated kindly will do more and better 
work and will stand up to it better than an ill- 
treated team. If there is around the farm a 
hand who abuses the teams, bounce him. 
Kent Co., Delaware. 
CARE OF THE DRIVING HORSE ON THE 
ROAD. 
A horse may bear a sharp drive in cold 
weather without harm, provided he be placed 
under the shelter of a comfortable stable at the 
end of the drive. But as warm weather ap¬ 
pears, while there is less call for the shelter 
there is more call for care in the matter of 
pushing the animal unduly while the tempera¬ 
ture is up to summer heat. Old owners and 
drivers say of some horses, that they have no 
judgment as to their mode of going; or, in 
other words, that they will go till they drop, 
or get overheated and stiffened. Horses of 
this kind are not usually rated at their worth, 
for courage and willingness to move off on the 
road are rarely found in horses not possessed 
of a liberal dash of good blood. In the hands 
of men who appreciate a free goer such an ani¬ 
mal is likely to last to a good old age; while 
under the lash of the average driver he may 
succumb early, and while yet in his prime be 
found at the auction stables to be put off at a 
very great reduction from his former value. 
A considerate driver, if upon country roads, 
will select the ground, giving his horse the 
advantage of a good pathway, at the same 
time avoiding ruts and obstructing rocks. 
It shows want of tact in a driver to follow 
the beaten track regardless of its condition. 
During the hot months it is of more import¬ 
ance to stop now and then, giving the horse 
an opportunity to regain his wind and cool 
off, than if the trip be made in cold 
weather. Heat is enervating, while col i is 
an excellent tonic. For an extended drive 
no horse should be punished with a taut 
check-rein, but this should be either entir- ly 
let loose or slackened, as may be most con¬ 
ducive to the animal’s comfort. No man 
should indulge in the use of a horse with high 
carriage ijorwarfl unless he is bred from up¬ 
held parentage, and formed for carrying his 
head well u,p without the use of a check-rein. 
A road horse, bred as he should be for road 
use, needs no check-rein and shows to best ad¬ 
vantage when in motion without a check. 
But when driving on the road, for either a 
long or short distance, horses rendered un¬ 
comfortable, as most horses are by the check, 
should have their heads released at suitable 
intervals, and be driven in this form till 
rested from the fatigue of the strained posi¬ 
tion. Especially should all restraint by the 
check-rein be removed on ascending a hill, 
even though this be not a long one. G. s. 
CARE OF BREEDING STALLIONS. 
My experience is that stallions should be 
worked moderately while they are serving 
mares. They should not be too fat when they 
commence to serve,but their feed should be in¬ 
creased as the season advances so that their 
vitality will be kept up. I have found out by 
experience that the stronger the horse is, the 
more vigorous the offspring, and there will be 
less danger of losing the foal because there is 
more tendency on the part of the mare to 
breed after the horse when he is in his full 
strength and his muscles are fully developed. 
No stallion should be used too much when 
young, as he will surely lose his power of en 
durance, and his vitality will bo diminished, 
and he will be a loss to his owner and a vexa¬ 
tion to all who patronize him. My stallions 
have been on my farm six and eight years, 
and have always been ready for work or ser¬ 
vice, and 1 can work them together in the ser¬ 
vice season, but it requires great care and 
watchfulness to manage them, as their spirits 
are very high. They must never be whipped, 
as that will enrage them and cause them to re¬ 
sent it. I have always found that to treat 
them with kindness and firmness, always put¬ 
ting them to work at just what I want them to 
do, is the best way to manage them, as then 
they will do what I want them to do every 
time. I never take a whip with me when I 
take them out of the stable to serve a mare, 
but hold them firmly by the bridle and talk 
to them, and make them go slow or stop when 
I say'‘‘whoa!” and never let them cover the 
mare until I say “go!” In regard to the feed 
I give all the good, sweet mixed hay they 
want and grain—oats, a little corn, and wheat 
bran—with a change to potatoes or turnips. 
They get good pure well water and a little 
grass, as I think it is cooling to the system. 
I have found that when a horse is too costive 
he does not serve as well as when \ie is not. 
I think the best mares to breed from are 
youn<r animals that are sound and healthy or 
mares that have been breeding, and have 
proved to be all right. It is a great mistake- 
to suppose that an old, worn-out mare is good: 
enough to breed from, yet many think so,, 
and then if she does not have a good colt,, 
they lay all the fault on the horse. I thiuk 
that anybody who breeds to such an animal is. 
“penny wise and a pound foolish.” I have 
seen so much of it that it makes me wonder 
how anybody can be so blind to his own in 
terests. Andrew m. lagrange. 
Albany Co., N. Y. 
HORSE TALK. 
In selecting a horse for the farm, chere ar*n 
more points to be considered than* for any 
other use. We must have a horse that is a fast 
walker, as walking is the gait most used on 
the farm, and a horse that will walk four 
miles an hour will do just double the work 
that one that will walk only two miles does. At 
the same time he should be of a make that 
will bear driving faster than a walk, say at 
the rate of eight miles an hour. He should 
be kind and nothigh-spirited, as it is often de¬ 
sirable for children and persons of inexper¬ 
ience to handle him, and it is necessary to 
have a team that will stand quietly and not 
be easily frightened when left alone. A farm 
horse should possess intelligence, for an intelli¬ 
gent horse will save a man many steps. 
On a farm where stock is kept, or on any 
farm except some near a city where gardening 
is carried on, it alway pays to raise one’s own , 
horses and have some to sell. If one wants to- 
buy a farm team he can get a better selection; 
in Canada and for less money than in this 
country. 
I want a snugly-built horse, an easy keeper, 
weighing about 1,100 to 1,200 pounds, of a l>ay 
or black color. Every farm that employs 
two men should baye at least three horses. 
The farm team should consist of breeding 
mares : then by having one mare foal about 
the middle of May and the other about four 
weeks later, breeding will not interfere with 
the farm work to any extent. The third 
horse should be a good carriage horse, and 
one that will take the place of one of the 
others when necessary. His weight should 
be about 1,000 pounds. 
I do not consider it profitable for a farmer 
to make it a business to raise horses unless 
he is an experienced horseman ; but by good 
management the farm team should raise a 
span of colts nearly every year with good 
profit. Farmers should aim to raise farm 
horses, for a good team, as before described, 
will bring from $300 to $400 when four or five 
years old, and about $200 when two years old. 
Good horsemen, if successful, can make more 
money by raising carriage horses, for a good 
span of good horses of that kind bring, when , 
from five to seven years years old, from 
$1,000 to $2,000, but they must have lots of 
care and handling and be never put to work. 
The Hambletonians take the lead for this. 
The first class of horses that are adapted! 
to farm work, find a ready home market,, 
and if they attain a weight too heavy for 
the farm, they will find a market in any city.. 
The latter class find the best market in New.- 
York City. 
The cost of raising a colt the first four 
months is nothing except the loss of the use of 
the mare for a few weeks. When weaned the 
colts should be fed a few oats until grass comes 
the next spring. Feed just enough to keep 
them iu a thriving condition; it is better not to 
wean them until they are six months old. A 
warm shed where colts can run at large is the 
best for them until they are old enough to 
break, which should be done when coming 
three years old. The colts I have spoken of 
are easy to break and any one with a little 
care can handle them. The cost of raising 
a colt is about the same as that of raising a 
steer. My motto is not to let a horse take cold. 
I feed and water regularly; do not feed too 
heavily; rather often; let them run out in the 
pasture as much as possible during the sum¬ 
mer months, and I always have healthy 
horses. I never use horses when they do not 
act well and they generally are all right in a 
few days. For cuts, etc., on feet smear 
with hot tar. a. h. s. 
So. Dayton, N. Y. 
