Salted Hay, that is, hay with which salt has been mingled a the time of stacking it, is not much used in Scotland. It is not to be had. I can tell nothing about it. Horses are said to prefer it to any other. But the principal motive for salting hay is to preserve it when the weather requires that it be stacked before it is sufficiently dry. Salt prevents or checks fermentation. It darkens the color of the hay and makes it weigh heavier, for salt attracts moisture. Salt, I think, should not be forced on the horse. It may excite too much thirst. Given apart from the food, he may take all that is good for him. Damaged hay is often sprinkled with salt water, which seems to render it less disgusting, and may possibly correct its bad properties. It should be wetted as wanted, for it soon becomes sodden and rotten.

The Daily Quantity of Hay allowed to each horse must vary with its quality and the work. If the grain be limited, the horse will eat a greater weight of poor hay than of that which is more nutritious. If it be damaged, he must consume more than if it were sound, for he rejects some, perhaps a half, and that which he eats does not furnish so much nutriment. When the work is fast, the horse must not have so much as to give him a large belly. Eight pounds of good hay is about the usual allowance to fast-working hor ses, who may receive from twelve to fifteen or eighteen pounds of grain. Large draught-horses will consume from twenty to thirty pounds, but the quantity is seldom limited for these. Much, however, depends upon the allowance of grain. A German agriculturist calculates that eight pounds of meadow hay, or seven of that made from clover, tares, or saintfoin, afford as much nourishment as three pounds of oats. Of the hay raised on poor soils, nine pounds may be required.

A horse can live on hay and water, and when thrown off work for a considerable period, he often receives nothing else. This is not always right. The horse becomes so feeble and so pot-bellied, that it is long ere better food will restore his condition for work. A little grain, some roots, or a bran-mash, though given only once in two days, will help to keep him in flesh. I have heard of the horse being kept almost entirely on hay, receiving grain only when he was to be used. I would recommend the owner to confine himself to bread and water for a week or two, and then try what work a beefsteak will enable him to do. There is a material difference between eating to live and eating to work The stomach and bowels will hardly hold sufficient hay to keep even an idle horse alive.

The only preparation which hay receives before it is given is that of cutting it into Chaff, into short pieces. When given uncut, the groom does, or should, shake out the dust before he puts it in the rack.