The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1874-10-17
FARM AND GARDEN.



At II recent meeting Of the Farmers Clul
of the American Institute IN New York city
Mr.. Il. w. Johnston read paper or 1.-The
Horse" IN which we find number of valu
able hints regarding the Management and
care OF that most important Of our dumb ser
wants. With reference to baking, the speak
er said that horses frequently resist because
they fail to understand what Is required OF
theE.; or 1t may occur from overlooking sore
shoulders, or being worked until exhausted
The latter is especially the case with young
animals. The vice can only be corrected by
Kindness and gentle treatment, and it is re.
commended, when the horse attempts II, to
Jump out of the wagon, and reassure hun by
kind word, carefully examine the harness,
and then get in again as if expecting him TO
go. This will generally prove etfectual.
Mr.. Johnston says that the French are the
best authorities on the diet Of horses, and that
they hold that under all circumstances in the
giving of food age and condition should be
taken into consideration Small fodder Is
better than hay for old horses, as 1t IS more
easily masticnted and swallowed. When a
horse is working hard his main food should
be oats If he works but little, hay alone will
answer For saddle or light carriage horse
halt peck of good oats and thirteen pounds
of hay are sufficient. The hay should be wet
with salt water-a tcaspoonful Of salt to a
bucket of water. Oats possess more nutri.
tious matter for making flesh than any other;
but small quantity of mown grass should
always be given in the spring to horses not
kept in the pasture. A horse should have
river water rather than well or spring water,
as the latter is cold and hard, while the for.
mer is sweet and comparatively warm. One
bucket morning and night or what is better,
half bucket at four different tins day, is
the proper quantity. If a horse refuses food
after drinking, he should be allowed to rest,
rs the refusal is always evidence of eXhaus.
ton.
1 The stable should always be well drained
and sufficiently lighted, because the vapors
from n damp putrld floor and the sudden
change from darkness TO light, will almost
certainly cause blindnes. Let proper open
ings be made, Just under the ceiling, to per
nit the hot foul air to escape, and free venti-
latlOn be allowed, at the bottom Of the walls,
to admit fresh air, for impure and confined
air causes broken wind. The fresh air should
enter through number of small holes, rath
er than through large ones, such as an open
window, as there is less danger from drafts,
which cause chils and colds The tempcra-
ture of stable should not be over seventy
degrees in summer nor under forty-tive de
grees in winter. Extremes of heat or cold
are equally bad. Use a hot, close, and foul
stable if you wish to kill YOUR horses. BY
such means CHAMBERS, Inflammation, incura-
BILE cough, or disease Of the lungs is sure to
follow. Another very important matter for
the consideration of the farmer Is the manner
of shoeing horses.
Although this subject has engaged the at
tention of mankind from the earliest ages, in
consequence of its Importance, 1t is wonder