230 BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



and stables where the animals were stored before sailing disap- 

 peared before the march of city improvement but a very few years 

 ago. Numerous advertisements show what kinds of horses were 

 wanted. "A number of pacing horses wanted immediately." 

 "Wanted, a few natural pacers." "Cash will be paid for some 

 pacing horses." "Wanted, a number of sprightly shipping horses, 

 in good order, proper for the French market" (French market 

 meaning the French West Indies). "Wanted, thirty likely young 

 pacing horses." "Wanted, forty-five good shipping horses for the 

 W. I.; pacers preferred," etc., etc. Such was the common run of 

 advertisements during the last years of the last century; some- 

 times trotters were asked for, this want becoming more frequent 

 after the beginning of the present century. Thus, in 1802, are 

 advertisements: " Wanted, a number of pacing and trotting horses, 

 for shipping." " Wanted, likely young horses, smooth pacers or 

 single-footed trotters will suit best." "Wanted immediately! a 

 number of likely young horses, for which cash will be paid. They 

 must be from thirteen to fourteen hands high, stout, thickset, and 

 all square trotters; bay, sorrel, chestnut, and grey colors, without 

 any white feet." " Wanted, a number of trotting and pacing 

 horses for the French market," etc., etc. While jjacers are more 

 often spoken of as wanted, yet from time to time there are wanted 

 " trotters suitable for the French market." I have a strong sus- 

 picion that a sort of fancy for trotters had also sprung up in the 

 French West Indies, and that our thrifty Connecticut Yankees 

 were quick to see the profit in breeding them. 



When trotting on the course began I do not know, but the first 

 definite notice of such that I am acquainted with is the following, 

 which I copy from the Connecticut Journal, New Haven, June 19 th, 

 1806: 



^^ Fast Trotting. — Yesterday Afternoon the Haarlem Race 

 Course of one mile's distance, was trotted around in two minutes 

 and fifty-nine seconds, by a Horse called Yankey, from New- Haven, 

 a rate of Speed, it is believed, never before excelled in this 

 Country.— iV. Y. Spect." 



This is twelve years earlier than the date given by Frank 

 Forester as the beginning of trotting for money, and this brings 

 me to a phase of the subject I have not before even alluded to, 

 but which is by far the most interesting for scientific study. 



It is as an instrument of gambling and of sport that the trotter 



