,202 



oreat difficulty and risk, seeing that we must turn brood mares into 

 open fields, and degeneration sets in at a rapid pace; but, if Stallions 

 are imported largely, and stabled and cared, this will eventually im- 

 prove the breed. 



C. L. Walker, Esq : Mares same size as the stallions and as many 

 as can be purchased in England, that are injured and unfit for hunting; 

 this class of mares are sold yearly in great numbers and can be pur- 

 chased for about £13 to £14 per head. 



J. R. Williams, Esq. : The importation of mares at the public ex- 

 pense will only be justifiable and expedient, I think, if there is a 

 Stock Farm, where imported mares of the same type as may be approved 

 of for imported stallious can be k-pt, to supply pure bred stock of 

 such approved types for public sale and public benefit. 



R. L. Young, Esq. : I do not think it is absolutely necessary to im- 

 port mares. Really good mares can be got in Jamaica if pains are 

 taken to select them But the general idea is that an animal that 

 is unfit for anything else must be put to breed. Hence the reason 

 that the large proport on of colts bred by imported sires are failures. 



If the Government intended having a stud farm I would certainly 

 suggest that they import a few well-bred and shapely mares from 

 which could be bred serviceable sires from the impor ed stallions. 

 In this way the influence of these imported sires would be most quick- 

 ly felt throughout the islaud. 



Summary by H. H. Cousins. 



After considering the opinions given, T recommend as follows :-- 



1. "When the stock farm is established, some mares should be im- 



ported for breeding. These should be well-bred, cheap and 

 of various types. 



2. Enquiry should be made as to the cost of landing (a) cast 



Army mares of light cavalry type (b) cast Hunter mares. 

 If obtainable at a low price a trial importation should be 

 made and the mares sold by auction. 



3. What are your optnions as to the present standards of horseflesh pro- 

 ducible in Jamaica. 



S. C. Burke, Esq. : After fifteen years experience of horses in Ja- 

 maica, I have no hesitution in expressing the opinion, that I have 

 never seen a big horse bred in Jamaica that would be worth ^50 in 

 England. We certainly have never produced a race horse in Jamaica 

 which would fetch that price in Euglaud as a race horse, and I very 

 much doubt if I could call to mind a dozen which would have been 

 worih that price as hunters. When we do breed a fair sized horse it 

 is seldom that he is up to weight. We have been trying for nearly 

 two centuries, using the best blood in the English Stud Book, and we 

 have not succeeded so far in producing a single race horse with any 

 pieteutions to high class. This fact has been amply demonstrated 

 durin.; the last ten years, by the repeated successes of horses (chiefly 

 in my own stable) imported from England to race in Jamaica. 

 Formerly we were contented to import horses and mares for breeding 

 purposes only, bui latterly horses have been imported for racing — 



