PRACTICAL HINTS ON STABLE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA. 243 
stables are the dhoop, and a long grass, given in a dry state, the 
nearest approach to hay procurable. The dhoop I believe to be 
the creeping, bent, or fiorni grass (Apostis stolonifera ). It is 
gathered and given in a green state, and is allowed by all to bear 
the palm amongst the grasses; the stringy portions of it when 
fine, soft, and fresh, seem to be as nutritious as the blade, but if 
eaten when coarse and dry are apt to produce serious and even 
fatal mischief. It is said to yield from five to ten tons per acre 
when cultivated and cut for hay. 
Under cultivation, or grown on good soil with a sufficient 
quantity of moisture, it loses its tendency to creep, and also its 
stringy character. The hay made from it has a sweet odour. 
Under ordinary circumstances it should be carefully picked over 
before issue to ensure the removal of any weeds, and it should 
also be well beaten to knock out the dust and mould, which 
clings to it when gathered. 
Troop grass-cutters will, if allowed, moisten it surreptitiously 
in order to increase the weight, and therefore the value of their 
bundles. A portion of this grass is usually cut into small 
pieces and mixed with the gram feed, as chaff is at home, in 
order to ensure the mastication of the corn by the horse. This 
I think is a good plan to pursue while the grass is soft and 
fresh, but doubt the advisability of it when the grass is dry and, 
consequently, more fibrous than usual. 
Dry grass. —The best sample cff dry grass that has come under 
my notice is that used in Calcutta, thongh fair samples are met 
with occasionally up country; but generally these grasses (which 
are grown, as a rule, in the cantonment compounds) being 
naturally hard and wiry, are on that account so innutritious as 
to be only fit for bedding. If cut with the view of using them 
as fodder they should be harvested when in flower, before 
running to seed. I may mention here that the dry grass con¬ 
sumed in Calcutta is grown in the Barrackpore district, near the 
salt lakes, and in the country round Calcutta. The best is from 
Barrackpore, and the worst from the salt lakes. It is sold in 
bundles weighing about half a pound each, one hundred 
amounting to twenty-seven seers, at a cost of eleven annas. 
There is no doubt that a great necessity exists for the proper 
provision of a reliable supply of good grass for the Indian army 
at all seasons, and the day cannot be far distant when farms for 
the special cultivation of this herbage will be established 
throughout the country. 
During a long march in charge of 400 horses I noticed the 
fact that a horse will consume, without waste, from 12 to 15 
lbs. of grass daily. The regulation allowance is about 20 lbs, 
per horse. 
