114 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



same fault, — that they breed from very young animals. 

 We may, perhaps, fall into the opposite error, and breed 

 from animals that are too aged, or have been too much ex- 

 hausted by former efforts; but I think the great mistake 

 that is made is in breeding from young animals. We are 

 very anxious, if we have a good animal, to secure its pro- 

 geny as early as possible in order to save expense ; and this 

 very cupidity that we have may lead us to sacrifice greater 

 interests in the future. If we compared the virility of ani- 

 mals with that of the human species, we should not gener- 

 ally be willing to let them breed until they were at least four 

 or five years old : whereas we are very apt to use bulls be- 

 fore they are one year old, even at nine months. Horses are 

 not used quite so young ; but they are sometimes used when 

 two or three years old, — an age quite too immature for suc- 

 cessful service. I desired to call your attention to this, not 

 because I could tell you any thing new upon it, but because 

 it has not been brought up very much at this meeting. 



There is another point which has escaped observation, to a 

 considerable extent. In breeding, particularly in breeding 

 horses, I believe it is not only necessary to have good blood, 

 not only necessary that the animals, at the time of service, 

 should be in good condition, but that, immediately afterwards, 

 the mare should have proper associates. I believe she is liable 

 to be influenced, as regards her offspring, by her associations 

 at the time of conception with animals that are objectionable 

 in themselves. I knew a case in point, of a mare that had 

 been associated with a very awkward gelding, and had evi- 

 dently acquired quite an attachment for him. She was put 

 to a horse and had a colt ; and the colt resembled this gelding 

 in a very striking manner, showing the effect of association 

 upon the mare while carrying the foal. I think this is a 

 matter in regard to which the owners of mares are very apt 

 to be neglectful, and especially farmers. Farmers take no 

 pains, generally, with their breeding animals, especially with 

 their mares. They want them for work ; and they use them 

 just as they would if they were not with foal. Special breed- 

 ers guard against this error ; and I wish to impress upon the 

 minds of those who are breeding for common pui'poses, that 

 they exercise a little more care in this respect. 



I will not take up any more time now, because I do not 



