In this selection, the question of economy comes largely into play, especially as regards power of absorption; for although, as we have seen, 1 lb. of moss litter, for instance, will absorb four times as much water as 1 lb. of wheat straw; 4 lb. of the latter will absorb as much water as 1 lb. of the former. Hence, if we can afford to employ an amount of wheat straw sufficient for soaking-up purposes, we shall get a better bed than we could obtain with moss litter; because, in other respects, straw is the superior of the two. We may therefore take for granted that it is the best kind of bedding material for stables in the management of which money is not a great object. For economy combined with efficiency though not with "smartness," peat moss has probably most claims to attention, except, perhaps, where sawdust and shavings can be cheaply obtained. Shavings not being dusty, having no tendency to ball in the feet and being more elastic, is a better single bedding than sawdust. The addition of a layer of straw, even if it is not a particularly thick one, over moss litter so as to form a combined bedding, will be a small sacrifice of economy to smartness which few horsemen would grudge. A layer of sawdust under one of straw will in all cases increase the efficiency of the resulting bed without in any way detracting from its appearance. A horse cannot have a much better bed than a combined one of sawdust and straw, or sawdust and shavings.