196 



transmitted to his offspring, From ray own experience in horse-breeding 

 and basing my theory on actual experiments that I have tried, I have 

 been able to produce several serviceable animals by mating 14 hands 

 mares with an animal such as described above. But the sire must be 

 thoroughbred as no mongrel or half-bred animal will improve the breed 

 by crossing. 



E. W. MuiRHEAD, Esq. : I am rather of opinion that stallions are 

 not so much needed, but a few thorougbred ones of great size and 

 quality will always be of value. I rather lean to a good stylish hun- 

 ter (which generally is as well bred as possible). A Hackney of the 

 type of Courtier (who died early after importation) should tend to do 

 good. 



J. T. Palache, Esq. : The type should be 1st thoroughbred stallions. 

 These are the only ones likely to do any good. After 40 years of intimate 

 connection with horse breeding, and holding in my possession the 

 largest collection of records relating to the horse and horse-breeding in 

 Jamaica, I unhesitatin;^ly say that any attempt to introduce any of 

 the other large breeds of the Northern climes will result in utter 

 failure. 



A. C. Paton, Esq. : Stallions should be imported and the type I 

 consider the most advantageous to breed from is a stallion standing 

 from 14*3 h. h. to 15 h. h. of the weight carrying hunter type. My 

 reasons for proposing this height and type are these. The weight 

 carrying hunter type would correct most of the faults which our mares 

 possess such as lack of bone and general want of substance at the 

 same time being a horse with say about seven eights of thorough- 

 bred blood in him he would not perceptibly impair the good qualities 

 which our mares possess. 



A 14*3 i). h. or 15 h. h stallion would be a very little bigger than 

 the average of our native mai'es and as nature determines the size 

 most suited to the locality, if we breed to about the size of horse now 

 in the island we will get the size most suited to the island. Apart 

 from that there is a very limited demand for big horses in the island 

 and I doubt if we could even breed them good enough to export, and 

 if we could the price we would get would never cover the cost of 

 feeding. 



Hon. Dr. Pringle. : Yes. Pony Stallions Hackney Stallions at 

 first put to our best mares to produce bone and quarter This progeny 

 could be then treated with stallions that produce the hunter class and 

 the racing class at home. 



A. EoxBURGH, Esq. : The importation of fresh blood at intervals is 

 absolutely necessary and I am of opinion that this should be one of the 

 duties of the Government. There is not, at present suflB.cient induce- 

 ment to encourage private enterprise in this direction. Racing having 

 come down to a very low standard. 



The thoroughbred is, without doubt, the horse for Jamaica, but it is 



difihcult to get the right stamp. Bone and substance are essential. 



The class of thoroughbreds usually imported being very fifth rate, do 



not possess these qualities. Hence the degeneration of our horse flesh 



into " weeds. 



