Muntz has shown by exact experiments that beans are very digestible, even when given in daily quantities of 141b. Such a conclusion, though chemically correct, may be practically misleading; because the consumption of so much nitrogenous matter as that contained in a stone of beans, would certainly be injurious to the animal's health (p. 125). Experience teaches us that oats contain a sufficiently high percentage of nitrogen. Therefore, taking 18 lb. of oats as an ample daily ration for all ordinary requirements of a horse; we find that the nitrogenous matter in it is about equal to that in 7 1/2 lb. of beans, which may consequently be regarded as a maximum daily allowance. As beans are comparatively poor in starch and other carbo-hydrates; 7 1/2 lb. of it would be insufficient for purposes of work. We may consequently conclude that beans are useful only as an adjunct to grain rich in starch, as for instance, maize. It is probably advisable not to give more than 5 lb. of beans a day to horses. A slightly larger quantity of peas might be allowed; for they contain more starch and less nitrogen than beans.

In this country, beans should not be used before they are a year old, so that they may be thoroughly dry, in order to allow the digestive juices to soak into them. To facilitate this object, these grains should be given in a crushed state and mixed with a suitable vehicle, such as bran or chop. White peas are generally supposed to be superior to beans as a food for horses.

See Mr. E. D. Miller's remarks on beans, page 389.