HORSES. 229 



quires care, study and attention, to enable the farmer to pursue 

 this branch of his calling with profit and advantage. 



S. 



Root. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



Stallions and Breeding Mares. — Your committee would 

 report, that the exhibition in this division of animals was infe- 

 rior to that of some former years. There were but two entries 

 of stallions ; and but one of these had been or was intended to 

 be kept for breeding purposes. Neither of them exhibited any 

 stock as evidence of their fitness for it. Both of them were 

 wanthig in many of the essentials of a good horse, and were not 

 such animals as we could recommend to breeders. We there- 

 fore did not award a premium to either. 



There were six entries of breeding mares. The first premium 

 was awarded to No. 6, — a youn^', healthy, strong-constitutioned 

 animal, out of a Morgan mare by Kentucky Hunter. She had 

 a splendid specimen of a foal by her side. There was one other 

 mare that had good specimens of stock with her, of the ages of 

 two and four years, but which, in the opinion of your commit- 

 tee, did not come within the intent of the society's offer, and to 

 which we did not award a premium. The remainder of the 

 animals were not such as we considered worthy of a premium, 

 and none was given. Your committee may have erred in de- 

 clining to award the premiums offered by the society, when a 

 sufficient number of animals was exhibited to receive them. 

 We do not think a premium should be given to an old, broken- 

 down, and faulty animal, because none of the right stamp are 

 presented. We believe that too much pains cannot be taken in 

 the selection of animals for breeders. It is profitless policy to 

 take an animal that, on account of age, disease, or viciousness, 

 is worthle'ss for the road or team, and set it apart as a breeder. 

 " Like generally produces like." And although occasionally a 

 diseased dam may produce young which in early life appears 

 sound and healthy, yet we believe that, in nine cases out of ten, 

 the defects of the parent will ultimately show themselves in the 

 offspring. Let our stock raisers take animals to breed from 

 that are perfectly sound, young or in the prime of life, with 

 unbroken constitutions, and of the right spirit, and they will 



