THE HORSE. J 25 



legitimate means of encouraging the interests which they have 

 been established to promote. These tracks have been built upon 

 the principle that the horse is, purely and simply, a legitimate 

 agricultural production ; that speed is a legitimate and one of the 

 most valuable qualities which he possesses ; that in order to show 

 this quality to the best advantage, and to the least injury to him- 

 self, a proper and suitable place is necessary — such a place being 

 a smooth track or course, where in his legitimate trial he may 

 have every chance in hi« favor. Now this principle is fair, and is 

 in accordance with the best judgment of some of the best men in 

 the country. Further than this: eminent authorities (and if I 

 were to mention some of their names they would carry attention 

 if not belief to the minds of all unprejudiced persons who hear me; 

 names which stand high in the scale of moral worth and scientific 

 acquirements, and which belong to characters above the suspicion" 

 of personal ends), who united in the conviction, that with suit- 

 able preparation and management, a healthy horse suflFers no injury 

 or distress from trotting a moderate distance at the utmost capac- 

 ity of his speed. Speed, therefore, being a quality of positive 

 value in the horse, the horse being a direct product of the farm, 

 how can trials of speed, properly regulated and conducted, be re- 

 garded as other than a legitimate part of agricultural exhibitions? 

 Take the strength of oxen, the wool product of sheep, the milk of 

 dairy animals, and in their several bearings place them in compari- 

 son with this prime quality in the horse. The ox is bred for size 

 and strength, and in the trials of his capacity to draw large loads, 

 is, fur a short time, frequently put to his utmost powers — and the 

 loads some yokes of oxen are made to draw are simply monstrous. 

 Who objects to this ? The dairy cow is specially fashioned for 

 milk production, and has been bred for years with special refer- 

 ence to the development of certain functions in her organization. 

 So, in its particular line have breeders developed and encouraged 

 the promotion of certain desirable qualities in the different breeds 

 of sheep. This has been done in each instance with a view to ob- 

 taining the most perfect animal, the best product, and the highest 

 profit. Is not this legitimate ? Are not the agencies employed and 

 the ends sought completely in accordance with common sense and 

 high-minded action ? Then why deny in the one case the right to 

 judicious breeding and proper development necessary to reach a 

 certain honorable end — and in an exactly parallel case allow that 

 the same course of breeding and training, is just and proper ? If 



