COMMITTEE KEPOKTS. 849 



them. In those cases, a majority of the committee settled the 

 question. 



In concluding this report of our action upon this matter com- 

 mitted to us, we deem a few general observations not out of 

 place. 



The stock grower should raise good horses. At a trifle lesss 

 expense, the use of a thorough bred stallion may be obtained. 

 The subsequent expense of raising a colt of superior blood, of 

 noble size, and the best appearance, is no greator than that of 

 growing stock of inferior blood and quality. At the age of 4 or 

 5 years, a thorough bred colt is worth from $250 to $500 for 

 sale — for use, he is kind, docile and intelligent — has beauty, 

 speed and bottom ; for the road, the turf, or the field, is every 

 way what men wish to have. He lives longer, will endure 

 greater hardships, and is far more profitable. The horse of in- 

 ferior blood is difficult to break, is slow of motion, is easily 

 injured by labor, is short lived, and after a few years of labor 

 rapidly declines in usefulness and profit. 



These considerations should be imperative in dictating the 

 breeding of stock. It costs very little, if any, more to breed a 

 blooded beast, and it is many times more valuable when bred. 

 In any other channel of business, considerations and facts like 

 these would conclusively decide the action of a man of good 

 sense. In this alone, such facts seem unavailing with large 

 classes of stock growers. They will still breed "plugs," scrubs, 

 nags and ponies, of ill appearance and little value, when no 

 more care and no more expense would produce them the noblest 

 forms of this semi-human being — the paragon of domestic brutes. 



There is scarcely a subject in the concerns and business pur- 

 suits of life, that is of greater interest or more importance than 

 the improvements of the breeds of horses. The horse is the 

 noblest animal that was ever reduced to human subjection. In 

 the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, he is man's patient servant 

 and drudge. "When not subdued to the hardships of labor, he 

 becomes almost an intelligent friend and companion. His in- 

 stinct and courage have frequently saved his master from immi- 

 minent danger. He is made an instrument of pleasure and 



