224 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



horse is better than another it is not because the fluid in his veins 

 is of superior quality, but rather because his structure is more per- 

 fect mechanically, and because nervous energy is present in fitting 

 amount and intensity. 



For illustration, take two horses — one so built and endowed that 

 he can draw two tons or more three miles in an hour ; the other so 

 that he can trot a mile in three minutes or less. Let us suppose 

 the blood coursing in the veins of each to be transferred to the 

 other ; would the draft horse acquire speed thereby, or the trotter 

 acquire power ? Just as much and no more as if you fed each for 

 a mouth with the hay, oats and water intended for the other. 



It is well to attend to pedigree, for thus only can we know what 

 are the hereditary qualities, but it is not well to lay too much 

 stress upon "blood." What matters it that my horse was sired 

 by such a one or such a one, if he be himself defective ? In breed- 

 ing horses, structure is first, and endowment with nervous energy 

 is next to be seen to, and then pedigree — afterwards that these 

 be fittingly united, by proper selection for coupling, in order to 

 secure the highest degree of probability which the nature of the 

 case admits, that the offspring may prove a perfect machine and 

 be suitably endowed with motive power. 



" The body of an animal is a piece of mechanism, the moving 

 power of which is the vital principle, which like fire to the steam 

 engine sets the whole in motion ; but whatever quantity of fire or 

 vital energy may be applied, neither the animal machine nor the 

 engine will work with regularity and elTect, unless the individual 

 parts of which the machine is composed are properly adjusted and 

 fitted for the purposes for which they are intended ; or if it is found 

 that the machine does move by the increase of moving power, still 

 the motion is irregular and imperfect ; the bolts and joints are con- 

 tinually giving way, there is a continued straining of the various 

 parts, and the machine becomes worn out and useless in half the 

 time it might have lasted if the proportions had been just and accu- 

 rate. Such is the case with the animal machine. It is not enough 

 that it is put in motion by the noblest spirit or that is nourished 

 by the highest blood ; every bone must have its just proportion ; 

 every muscle or tendon its proper pulley; every lever its proper 

 length and fulcrum ; every joint its most accurate adjustment and 

 proper lubrication ; all must have their relative proportions and 

 strength, before the motions of the machine can be accurate, vig- 

 orous and durable. In every machine modifications are required 



