374 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



ought to be condemned. It is \indoubtedly a good and feasible 

 plan to allow the colt to be with its parent as much as possible, 

 that he may by degrees get wonted to objects about which he 

 will naturally live, but keep him from following the mare into 

 town, for often you will see the colt frightened by miscliievous 

 boys, or bitten, or nearly worried to death by dogs. The colt darts 

 from one side of its dam to the other, under her legs and often 

 under the wagon wheels, alarmed perhaps at some urchin who 

 is trying one cracker from his ten cent bunch, all prepared for 

 the next fourth of July ; or the little fellow is struck by the 

 wheel, (unnoticed by the driver,) against which he is endeavor- 

 ing to seek protection from some miserable cur ; perhaps he 

 receives a blow which does not immediately attract attention, 

 but in after life it will not fail to produce trouble. There is 

 nothing of more importance than that the young horse should 

 have not only good and careful treatment, but should also have 

 his growth encouraged by a liberal supply of bruised oats or 

 bran, and his owner may rest assured the strength and power of 

 the horse in after life will depend greatly upon whether or not, 

 m his youth, the colt has been allowed proper nourishment. 



The education and the breaking of the horse should be as that 

 of the child ; let his early lessons be made pleasant ; keep the 

 whip as the last resort ; be firm, yet mild. The ugly disposition 

 in the horse, ninety-nine cases in a hundred, is put in him by 

 improper treatment, and by his being managed by rude or care- 

 less hands. Let his teacher, therefore, be one of kindness and 

 patience, — such an one as we should select for our children. 



The late horse exhibition in Boston, shows the propriety of 

 raising none but superior stock. If we all are unable to raise 

 an " Etlian Allen," or a " Flora Temple," let it be our aim to 

 come as near them as possible, selecting none but the best of 

 stock, and rearing them with proper care. These exhibitions 

 are certainly useful, and those who are engaged in getting them 

 up are entitled to great praise, for it will not be doubted that, 

 next to the improvement of the human race, the horse claims 

 our attention. This exhibition will not be without its good 

 influence amongst the farmers, and will show that they know 

 their own interest as well as any other class of men, — that it is 

 just as easy, and much more beneficial, to raise horses which 

 will sell as high as they were sold at the late show, a four 



