THE BUSINESS HORSE. 245 



several stallions of me for that purpose. There is no way that worth- 

 less small mares can be made to produce such results as by this 

 cross." 



Also a few words from an eminent breeder of horses, and now 

 president of a Percherou horse company, with a million of capital 

 invested and owning a large tract of land and 4500 breeding ani- 

 mals, Mr. J. F. Studebaker of Indiana, who says : "The success of 

 crossing the small western mares with Percheron stallions has been 

 fully demonstrated, and large numbers of people are now emploj'- 

 ing that means of improving the otherwise worthless horse stock of 

 the plains. My own experience in this special direction, and the 

 great opportunity I have had for observation, has led me to believe, 

 and in fact am thoroughh' convinced, that the crossing of mares of 

 small size with stallions of greater weight can be done with perfect 

 safety, and with a decided profit to the breeder. A few 3'ears since, 

 when I introduced a larger class of stallions into m}' county, the 

 people threw up their hands in surprise to think that I should advo- 

 cate such a radical departure from the old way of doing business. 

 The difference in size was too great in order to produce anything 

 like good results ; they must be nearer matched for size. And I will 

 sa3', as my positive knowledge was limited at the time, I had some 

 misgivings as to the results, and looked forward with much anxiety 

 to the time when my theory should be proved. But when the foals 

 came, instead of weighing, as some had thought, 300 or 400 pounds, 

 or as large as a good-sized yearling, they were rather under-sized. 

 Then of course the people were dissatisfied in another direction, but 

 time soon dispelled their fears in both cases, and there are now no 

 fears entertained as to the propriety of making the cross as indicated 

 above." While the gentlemen referred to have used the Percheron 

 breed to illustrate and prove the feasibility of breeding the small 

 mares to the stallions of large size, I will not undertake to say 

 that other large breeds cannot be crossed with the small mares with 

 equally good results. 



I have attempted to discuss this question fairl}', and I would not 

 for a moment have you understand that I would discourage the rais- 

 ing of any class of horses. But keep this one idea in view, set your 

 standard high. Whichever class you attempt to breed, be satisfied 

 with nothing but the best. Whatever you attempt to do, strive to 

 do well. And another point keep in view, do not mix the different 

 classes. If you are breeding for speed, do not intermingle that 



