Hints on agricultural subjects, and on the best means of improving the condition of the labouring classes / By J.C. Curwen.

  • John Christian Curwen
Date:
1809
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hints on agricultural subjects, and on the best means of improving the condition of the labouring classes / By J.C. Curwen. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    66/446 (page 32)
    My horses being accustomed to warm food, would have suffered much from an entire change of system, particularly the aged horses; I have therefore adopted the plan of steaming cut straw, and mixing their ground oats with it, which I find they eat with avidity. I have had too little experience to pronounce deci- dedly on its success; but from the trial hitherto had, it has all the appearance, of answering extremely well* The failure of the potatoe crop must force convic- tion on the public mind, of the advantages which must necessarily result from a general adoption of my plan. Thus, food which was raised expressly for the purpose of feeding horses, may in a moment of scarcity be- come the support of man. How many thousands will this year participate in the benefit of it! Yet such is the infatuation of the many, that a very little matter would some years ago have induced the mob to pull down my steaming houses, and destroy my apparatus: and now, but for this plan, they would feel the most severe pressure from the want of potatoes! The cost of feeding my farm horses upon my present plan will stand thus : ] stone of cut straw, steamed 8lb. of oats, Gib. of carrots, Sib. of straw. St (It O 0 <1\ 0 0 8 O O 2* 0 0 1 0 1 2 COLLIERY