200 



The change of climate seems to affect mares more than stallions. 



H. W. Griffith, Esq. : Most certainly, even more so than stallions. 

 Mares of Hunter class, not necessarily thoroughbreds, but well bred 

 with plenty of bone. 



Colonel A. E. C. Kitchener : No. 



A. P. LocKwooD WiNGATE, Esq. : Desirable, yes : A few, but 

 hardly necessary if the importation of stallions is regular and con- 

 tinuous, as we should then very soon be able to produce mares hard to 

 be beaten by imported ones. 



Hon. G. McGrath : In Yorkshire good hardy stock for coaching 

 and other purposes have been bred by crossing the thoroughbred sire 

 with Cleveland mares and Yorkshire coaching mares. I think the 

 importation of a few Cleveland mares would be desirable. The 

 importation of mares would be more expensive than the importation 

 of sires owing to the number of foals produced by the one as compared 

 with the other. I am afraid the importation of mares must be left to 

 private enterprise as affecting individual interest. 



E. "W. MuiRHEAD, Esq. : I lay more importance upon the importa- 

 tion of mares than any other means of improving horse breeding and 

 should suggest that mares accidentally* blemished of good strain be im- 

 ported (in foal) but particular attention should be paid to shape and 

 size, as also to mating. 



J. T. Palache : 1 am of opinion that it is far more desirable, or at 

 any rate just as desirable, to import mares and in much larger numbers 

 than stallions for reasons which I will touch on later. 



The number of really first class mares fit for breeding is very much 

 diminished in Jamaica to day and requires to be replenished and 

 strengthened in many directions — 



1. Type thoroughbred mares so as to be able to breed on the spot 



first class acclimatised stallions and mares for distribution 

 throughout the Island at cheaper rates and at less risk than 

 importing. 



2. Type thoroughbred pony mares registered in the Polo Pony 



Stud Book ior the like reasons and purpose as above. 



3. Type sound good half or three-quarter bred mares such as are 



bred in Ir land and many parts of England to cross with 



thoroughbred sires to produce Hunters and in Kentvicky and 



Oi io, for producing mules. These mares could be put to 



thoroughbred stallions here and their fillies used for breeding 



mules and thus import size and substance to our mules. 



It must be kept in view that the horse required for general utility 



in Jamaica is the light active muscular horse for our light vehicles 



and hill roads, and there is positively no work for the heavy cart horse 



of northern climes — plough and other agricultural work being per- 



iormed by mules and oxen. 



A. C. Paton, Esq. : If it is decided to increase the size of the 

 1 orskind then mares will have to be imported. Our small mares even 

 if "fut to" a large stallion would not necessarily give large foals, in 



* Accidentally on account of the diflFerence in price for which they maybe bought. 



