SECRETARY'S REPORT. 281 



which connect themselves with trials of speed being onlj 

 analogous in principle to those attending games of chance, 

 *' grab-bags," lotteries, post offices, &c., countenanced and 

 introduced at the " fairs" held at some time or other in nearly 

 every town in the country. 



It was thought, also, that the chief object of a track, and of 

 the trials of speed at agricultural shows, should be to aid and en- 

 courage the farmer to raise and dispose of his horses to the best 

 advantage, and that this encouragement would not be extended 

 by offering premiums for speed merely ; that the main object 

 would be accomplished equally well by allowing horses entered 

 to run against time only, against which there could be no rea- 

 sonable objection, while a limited speed for young and untrained 

 horses would enable committees and the public to judge of the 

 action and points of such animals equally well with a high 

 speed, since it is well known that the speed of a young horse, 

 by careful training, may be increased, on an average, nearly one- 

 fourth, and that horses capable of being trained to high speed, 

 may, with equal facility, be trained to slow work on the farm. 



These and various otlier considerations, led to the unanimous 

 adoption of the following Ree^olutions as embodying the senti- 

 ment of the Board with regard to the matter, viz. : — 



Resolved, That the Board of Agriculture recommend to the vari- 

 ous agricultural societies to take such measures in reference to the 

 exhibition of horses at their cattle shows, as shall divest them of all 

 characteristics of the horse race, and as far as possible, of all im- 

 moral tendencies. 



Resolved, That in the opinion of this Board, the offering of pre- 

 miums for equestrian exhibitions, is a perversion of the funds of 

 the Stats — such exhibitions being in no sense to be regarded as agri- 

 cultural products. 



Resohed, That we recommend to the several agricultural societies 

 not to use their trotting courses for fast horses during the cattle 

 shows, except when ordered by the committee on horses, 



Resohed, That it is not for the interest of the farmer, or the 

 breeder of horses, at the various county cattle shows, to countenance 

 or allow, in any trial of horses, a fustsr rate than a milo in four 

 minutes, the trial to be made singly, or in pairs harnessed together; 

 and any horse driven at a faster rate should, in the opinion of this 

 Board, be ruled out in all premiums. 

 36* 



