THE PERCHERON HORSE, 207 



The only question remaining is that all-important one of profit or 

 loss. Will it pay to grow these grade colts for the market? 



To this one tribunal of profit all questions relating to growing or 

 cropping, breeding or feeding, must be brought. In the considera- 

 tion of agricultural topics the one thought of possible profits must 

 be uppermost. The field for successful operations in husbandr}- is 

 just now circumscribed, and intelligent study and close application 

 are necessary. High prices cannot again prevail. If money is to be 

 made in the business it will be by reduced expenses, and the 

 production of a better article. The class of stock to be grown 

 must be that which will sell at the best profit when two or three 

 years of age. What shall it be? Here siiould be considered the 

 conditions, surroundings, tastes and opportunities of the individual 

 breeder and farmer. Men who have a love for the fine limbed, 

 proud acting, royal bred trotter should give free rein to their desires, 

 and by a study of blood lines, breed and sell a superior article. 



On the other hand, those whose fancies are satisfied with the 

 size and substance of this larger class, will find here the sure road 

 to profit in breeding. In either case the determination to produce 

 only the best will settle the question to the satisfaction of the 

 breeder. 



One point should be urged over and again and that is to use 

 only pure blooded males. Encouragement shoull be extended 

 to individuals to bring in pure bred Percheron stallions for service. 

 The man who does this is a public benefactor, and should be so 

 considered. The risks and uncertainties are all on his shoulders, 

 and the fee charged a minor item when the quality of the offspring 

 is considered. It is a serious question whether Agricultural 

 Societies may not, by offering substantial aid or by purchasing 

 outright, do more for a count}* than by sufh heavy expenditures 

 in other directions. State aid may be neither practicable or pos- 

 sible, but in towns and counties combined effort would secure what 

 would at once give a powerful incentive to breeding, and verj' soon 

 •check the current now pouring out of the State through so man}* 

 channels. 



With the average farmer, occupied as he is with many cares, there 

 seems to be satisfactory reasons wh}' the Percherous should be 

 adopted as the class to be bred. If they can be grown in herds, like 

 flocks of sheep, without danger of accidents, it is a strong argu- 

 ment in their favor, and the cost of care is very materially reduced. 



