SECRETARY'S REPORT. 55 



There are many other breeds of horses that are entitled to honor- 

 able mention. The Black Hawks are not second to any breed. 

 They make fine carriage and saddle horses, and for style and action 

 are unsurpassed. Are very fine limbed and active, being a branch 

 of the family of Morgan horses they partake largely of the vigor of 

 the Morgans. The Hamiltonians and Eaton horses have gained 

 celebrity, and are the favorites of many, being of the Messenger 

 family ; that is enough to recommend them. The Indian Chiefs, 

 Drews, and Fox horses, all have their admirers, and some of them 

 have created quite a sensation among the horse fanciers. 



Your committee hardly feel competent to decide which or what 

 breeds of horses should be most encouraged in Maine. Without 

 doubt, more profit has been realized from the Morgans and Messen- 

 gers than from any other breeds. One very important point in 

 raising horses is to propagate from the most pure blood to be found, 

 of whatever breed you may wish to raise. 



The classes of horses to be considered are : 1st. The stock horse. 

 2d. The brood mare. 3d. The family carriage horse. 4th. The 

 roadster. 5th. The trotter. 6th, The farm or draught horse. 7th. 

 The racer. Your committee will be able only to glance at the dif- 

 ferent classes. First is the stock horse, like begets like, and a good 

 stock horse is indispensable in propagating good stock, and without 

 him our efiijrt to raise good horses could not be crowned with suc- 

 cess. Second. A brood mare is very important, and good mares 

 should be used for breeding. It is too much the practice with farm- 

 ers, if they have a mare that is of no other use, to put her to breed- 

 ing ; that is a great mistake, and should be corrected. To raise a 

 good colt, the sire and dam should be of good symmetry, and the 

 practice of using a sire much larger than the dam is not usually 

 attended with good results, the reverse would do better ; to have 

 them nearly equal in size would be most desirable. Third. The 

 family carriage horse is almost one of the indispensables, but very 

 few would be willing to be deprived of the services of this noble 

 animal. A horse of this class should be trained to the saddle, as he 

 is hardly a fimily horse unless he can be used under the saddle. 

 He should also be of docile disposition, and great care should be 

 observed in selecting a horse for this use. Fourth. A good road- 

 ster must have speed, bottom, life and ambition, and be a good feeder. 



