The complete Indian housekeeper & cook

In the country in England, a ten miles’ drive to the county town and back is supposed to be nothing out of the way ; but in India, if any distance over ten miles has to be ridden, an extra horse is laid out. Much, of course, depends on the grass, and for this reason it is ahvays advisable to make the grass-cutters bring their bundles into the verandah for inspection at twelve o’clock. If the gram, oats, &c., be kept in lockers in the same verandah, the mistress can then see the grain taken out, and so, at very little trouble, avoid the buniyas bill. It is not necessary to weigh out the grain ; and if a week’s supply is put into the lockers every Monday morning, and the feeds measured Avith a wooden cornmeasure, you will scarcely ever be out more than half a seer. Under the ordinary system of a buniyas account, you are never certain Avhat kind of stuff the horses are getting, while any change in quantity or kind in the food leads to troublesome complication, and gives cover to cheating. Once, if not tAvice a week, horses should have a bran mash, a recipe for making which will be found at the end. It also tends to keep horses in health to give them some green food a seer 92 The Complete Indian or two of carrots, green wheat, lucerne, grass, or even sugarcane— and if the mistress takes a pride in her horses, which it is to be hoped she will always (lo, this little treat will be given during her daily visit to the stable. It will be a distinct pleasure to most women to hear the whinnyings and neighings which will then follow at the first glimpse of the Mem Sahib. Always encourage your syce to speak to you at once if anything ails the horses, and never neglect such information. If a horse is reported lame, it does not take much trouble to put on your hat and go out to see. Even if you know little what to do, it impresses the syces with your anxiety, and they themselves will look on the matter more seriously. In cold weather always give out blankets to all the stableservants, to prevent them from stealing the coverings of their horses. These blankets should be of good quality, marked with your initials, and should be attached to the service, and not given to the individual. At the commencement of the hot weather they should be washed and put back into store. The same procedure should be adopted with regard to the horse-clothing, otherwise it will be used to wrap up bundles, &.C. &c. Do not grudge warm clothing to your horse ; if he is decently groomed, his skin will be very susceptible to the changes of temperature ; and with good clothing, he will keep in condition on less food. It is false economy to deny him w'hat is equivalent to an extra feed of corn.