240 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



that the cry comes from all directions for more of Maine's good horses? 

 AVhy is it tiiat Maine is being drained of her best stock, and why is 

 it that Boston, ^e\v York and other markets are continually clamor- 

 ing for Maine horses? It is simply this, that through the persistent, 

 united, persevering, intelligent and practical efforts of men who are 

 able and willing to carry on the business, they have raised the standard 

 far above that of any other State in the Union. And that is not all. 

 The demand is steadily increasing, and will continue to increase just 

 so long as the intelligent people of this State continue to put forth 

 that zeal and energ}' that has characterized their efforts in the last 

 quarter of a centur}'. 



It is within mv recollection that horses that could trot their full 

 mile in three minutes were considered very fast, and the person own- 

 ing one that could make that time had quite a fortune. Now the}^ 

 would be considered onl}' fair driving horses. In fact, for a first- 

 class gent's driving horse they should be able to trot a mile in about 

 2.40. Then horses that weighed 1000 pounds were considered 

 heavy enough for business on the farm or for lumbering, in fact for 

 all draft purposes, and it mattered little whether they looked like a 

 horse or a mule, provided they had hoofs and hair. Now the weight 

 is taken into consideration, varying from 1 100 to 2000 pounds, accord- 

 ing to the especial work required of them. They must be sym- 

 metrical in form, sound feet and glossy coat of hair. And the dis- 

 position is by no means to be overlooked b}' the purchaser or breeder. 

 It appears to me that horses may be divided into four classes : Trot- 

 ting or speed horses, gentlemen's driving horses, farm or business 

 horses, and heavy draft horses. 



thirst, the trotting horse is bred, educated and trained especialh' 

 for the one purpose, speed. It matters very little about his size, 

 his build, his color or his disposition, provided he can make the best 

 time. Persons breeding this class of horses keep this one point in 

 view ; and I must say right here, although not personally' interested 

 in the business, that there is no class of horses that pays so well to 

 breed as the trotter, provided we have the material to work with. 

 But it takes long 3'ears of careful breeding to produce dams or sires 

 that are capable of transmitting their qualities to their progeny with 

 an}' degree of certaint}', and there are few sires, and a less number 

 of dams, in the State of Maine to-day, that will fully come up to the 

 standard, and the })erson who has them, barring accidents, is rea- 

 sonably' sure of success. 



