120 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



and men of position and judgment, and they have reduced the 

 breeding of the best horses in the different classes to a science." 



"In pursuance of this plan," said he, "the Government selects 

 and brings in the appropriate sires," and he gave me a list of the 

 government stallions then in the stud of France, amounting to 350 

 animals, all selected for their fitness in the class where they were 

 wanted, and located in 26 different places in the Empire. 



No mean animal could be kept, and if he was ever so fine 

 himself, if his get proved ordinary, he was placed at work and 

 removed from the stud. 



Thinking this a proper opportunity to inquire in regard to the 

 class of dams to be used, and their qualifications, he assured me 

 of the necessity of similarity in size, form and character of sire and 

 dam, if a given type was desirable. 



I referred to the fact that Gen. Fleury who has charge of the 

 government stables, had been breeding for several years, as I 

 heard, the best " Norman" mares, which are very large, with the 

 best English thoroughbred horses, for cavalry purposes. He at 

 once said this is true. The English had a cavalry horse that could 

 outlast ours on account of blood and long lines of breeding to 

 lasting qualities, but they were deficient in limbs and feet, and 

 soon broke down on them. Therefore the smallest compact 

 Norman mares were selected and bred to the best of these stallions, 

 and the second cross is an animal that can last, and is equal to 

 any horse in the world upon the road or hard land. lie admitted 

 that tlie first cross was far from satisfactory in many cases, but 

 succeeding crosses were a success. 



I hope you will pardon me for this reference to foreign manage- 

 ment, but it so agreed with my convictions in my small opportunity 

 of observation, that I could hardly refrain from speaking of it in 

 your hearing. 



To return to the selection of a dam. After selecting one in a 

 desirable line and such as you wish in every particular, it is 

 necessary that care should be used to select one in full vigor, not 

 too young and undeveloped, or too old and past her prime. 



Many young or old mares may give you fine colts. Yet it is 

 safer to select mares of full strength and vigor. 



Many writers upon breeding, especially the breeding of horses, 

 admit that animals may be bred with success when one is quite 

 young or old, provided the other is in full vigor. 1 am willing to 

 admit that this may be so in many instances, but as a safe rule to 



