Horses 



1787 



enricli the farmers of the United States than all of the other 

 draft breeds combined. In 1912 there were 3,292 of the various 

 draft breeds imported and of this number probably three-fourths 

 were Percherons. 



The origin of the Percheron horse is conceded to be the large, 

 coarse mares of Flanders crossed with the Arabian stallions, 

 which produced the rugged, gray, active, small draft animals 

 used so largely for the quick movement of heavy loads. The 

 American trade called for darker colors with more size and bone. 

 The French breeders were quick to respond to this demand and 

 unlike their English or Scotch brothers were quite willing to 

 cooperate with the backers of their breed in America in furnish- 

 ing the type of horse required. 





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Fig. 163. Four Black Imported Percheron Mares; Average Weight 

 1,800 Pounds. Owned ry Adirondack Farms, Glens Falls, N. Y. 



Unlike the Belgian breeder the Frenchmen are quite willing to 

 sell any or all of their prize animals at a price, and it is remark- 

 able that the Percheron horse has not sadly degenerated with the 

 enormous drain of so large a number of their best animals each 

 year. But the breed has been greatly benefited and helped by 

 the French government in buying and furnishing for breeding 

 purposes, a large number of good stallions at a nominal service 

 fee, also by the approval and subsidy of the best stallions owned 

 by individuals and the liberal amounts awarded in prizes at the 

 big shows. 



