In well-managed stables the dung and soiled litter are removed every morning at the first stable hour; or, if the horses are going to work or exercise, this operation is delayed till they are gone. The dry litter is thrown forward, or put into an empty stall. That which is soiled is carried to the manure pit, or laid out to dry The stalls and gangways are then swept clean; and sometimes a pailful or two of water is thrown over them to render the purification more complete. After the floor is dry, a portion of the litter is spread out, levelled on the top, and squared behind. Everything in and about the stable is set in order, and the whole is clean and neat. By constant or frequent attendance, it is kept in this state all day. At night more litter is laid down, spread deeper, and farther hack.

In farm and many other stables the soiled litter, if removed at all, is removed at night when the horses come in, and are being supped. This is not right, It fills the stable with noxious vapors at the very time it has most need to be pure. When the horses go out in the morning, the litter should be changed before or immediately after they are gone; the floor left bare, and the doors and windows open all day. At night the litter may be laid down just before the horses are fed.

Formerly it was customary to let the soiled litter remain too long below the horse. Even in racing stables it was not usual to clean out the stall oftener than once a week. All, or most of the wet litter was allowed to remain for several days. That which was trampled among the dung was carried out, but the remainder was covered by fresh straw, and left till the day of purification arrived. Now, however, in these and some other stables, the litter is completely removed every morning. It is impossible to have the stable warm, and at the same time wholesome, without doing so.

This is a great improvement; but as yet it has not been generally introduced. In cavalry, hunting, racing, and some of the superior coaching-stables, the stalls are completely emptied every morning; but in very many others, though there may be a general and complete purification once or twice in a month, yet at other times much of the rotten and wet litter is left to form a bed for the new straw. While not in sufficient quantity to produce any sensible impurity of the air, it can only be called a slovenly, not a pernicious practice. But the stables of farmers and carters are in general too bad. Their horses never have a decent bed. There are no fixed times for changing the litter. When it becomes so wet and filthy that the keeper is somewhat ashamed to see it, he throws down some fresh straw to conceal that which ought to be taken away. That is done, perhaps, every day; but it is not till the horse is standing fetlock-deep in a reeking dunghill, that the stall is cleaned to the bottom.

Upon such a bed the horse can never obtain unbroken rest; and the stable can never be comfortable. The noxious vapors arising from the rotting litter are destructive to the eyes, the lungs, and to the general health or strength. When there is a circulation of air sufficient to carry off these vapors, the stable is cold. While the horse is lying, the cold air is blowing over him on the one side, and the dunghill is roasting him on the other.

This is an old practice, and, of course, not to be abandoned without a struggle. The farmer contends that it is the right way to make good manure, and the carter that it saves the consumption of straw. Manure may be made in this way, perhaps, well enough; but horses are surely not kept for that purpose. Visit the stables of those who have been successful farmers. See how they contrive to obtain manure.