Potatoes are given both raw and boiled; in either state they are much relished by all horses as a change from other food. They are rather laxative than otherwise, and especially when given uncooked. Given raw and in considerable quantity to a horse not accustomed to them, they are almost sure to produce indigestion and colic; when boiled or steamed they are less apt to ferment in the stomach. For horses that do slow, and perhaps not very hard, or long-continued work, potatoes may, in a great measure, or entirely, supersede grain. They are little used for fast-work horses, yet they may be given, and sometimes they are given, without any harm. On many farms they form, along with straw fodder, the whole of the horse's winter food. in Essex, farm-horses have been kept throughout the winter entirely upon steamed potatoes Each horse got fifty pounds per day, and did the ordinary work of the farm with the greatest ease. Some salt was mixed with them, and occasionally a little sulphur, which is quite superfluous.

According to Professor Low, fifteen pounds of raw potatoes yield as much nutriment as four and a half pounds of oats. Von Thaer says, that three bushels are equal to 112 lbs. of hay. Curweu, who tried potatoes very extensively in feeding horses, says that an acre goes as far as four acres of hay. He steamed them all, and allowed each horse daily 21 lbs., with a tenth of cut straw, which he preferred to hay for this mode of feeding.

The potatoes should be of a good kind and not frosted. They should always be cooked either by steaming or boiling. They are best when steamed. Horses like them as well raw, but they are excessively flatulent, and this bad property is much corrected by cooking, and by adding some salt. When boiled, the process should be performed with little water, and as quickly as possible. When nearly ready, the water should be altogether withdrawn, and the potatoes allowed to dry, uncovered, on the fire for a few minutes. They should be put on with hot water. They are always overboiled. Horses prefer them when hard at the heart. There is a general prejudice against the liquor in which potatoes are boiled. It is said to be injurious. In small quantities it certainly produces no apparent evil. I often see it given, not as a drink, but along with potatoes, beans, and chaff, which are all boiled together and mixed into a uniform mass, in general too soft. In some places the potatoes are not washed when boiled. If the earth do not relax the bowels, I am not aware that it does any injury, and the horses do not appear to dislike it.

When the mass, however, from the addition of chaff, requires much mastication, this sand or earth must wear down the teeth very fast.