OATS
—are the well-known farinaceous grain which is the principal food and support of horses in constant work. After various experiments by NATURALISTS, and the most celebrated AGRICULTURISTS, they are found to convey a greater portion of nutriment to the frame, and invigoration to the system, at less expence, than any other kind of food whatever. The advantages of obtaining the heaviest in weight, the brightest in colour, and the sweetest in hand, are too self-evident to require a single line in elucidation. Oats newly housed, and newly threshed, should be avoided, if possible: not having acquired their proper firmness by TIME, they are more disposed to fermentation when mixed with the juices in the stomach, and then propel the contents of the intestines in a state little short of liquefaction, by their own laxative property. When, from any temporary scarcity, or local consumption, old OATS cannot be procured, and necessity compels the use of new, a few beans may be added; these, by their restringent and nutritious property, will check the effect of the new oats, and prevent the debilitating laxity just described.