'206 



with the diminution in size, and quality, which is so notice- 

 able throughout the island. 

 N.B. Some hold that ticks are the only cause, I do not think so ; 

 for if animals are properly attended to, the ticks cannot make such a 

 great change — it is only when Brood Mares are allowed to run practi- 

 cally wild, and neglected, that ticks do a great amount of harm. 



Colonel E. 0. Kitchenek : They are exceptionally sound. 



A. P. LocKwooD WiNGATE, EsQ. : The present standard of horse- 

 flesh here, I think, is still good ; but rapidly degenerating owing to 

 the falling off of importations, many breeders giving up horse-breeding 

 altogether owing to the poor profit got from the business and general 

 lack of interest in the industry from the same cause. 



Hon. G. McGrath: The present standard of horseflesh producible 

 in Jamaica is inferior to what it was in former years owing undoubted- 

 ly to the wunt of proper feeding. The guinea grass upon which the 

 horses are principally fed has deteriorated considerably, f ir want of 

 manuring and few persons will undertake the expense of feeding foals 

 as they would soon "eat their heads off" owing to the small price now 

 obtainable for good stock. The ticks also contribute their share of 

 trouble in the rearing of horses. 



E. W. MuiRHEAD, KsQ. : The present standard of horseflesh is no 

 doubt affected by the poor quality of the grazing in the island, caused 

 by the want of seasons. Consequently they run small and can only 

 be raised up by better feeding; they should then fetch better prices 

 to pay. 



J. T. Palache : Deficient in numbers but excellent as a foundation 

 on which to build by means of careful selection, judicious importa- 

 tions of the correct type of stallions and mares for crossing. More at- 

 tention to caring and feeding in the early stages of the life of the year- 

 ling stock. 



A. C. Paton, Esq. : The present standard of horsekindin Jamaica is 

 I think bad if compared with most other countries, although, as is 

 o-enerally the case, it is admirably suited for the purposes of the coun- 

 try. If, however, exportation was to be nimed at our hordes would 

 have to be very much improved. 



Hon. Dr. Pringle : It lacks bone and quarter, suffering all the lime 

 from want of selection, being poorly fed when young or worked too 

 early. 



A. Roxburgh, Esq. : Jamaica horses as now produced are a wonder- 

 fully hardy long suffering breed. The standard as far as appearance 

 goes is low. This, to a great extent, is owing to poor feeding wJien 

 young. Feed a foal well till he is 2 year old and you can dc what you 

 like with him after that. If he drops to pieces from hard work or 

 feed he can be always be recovered by improved conditions, but starve 

 him when he is young and he can never be made into a good horse 

 afterwards. 



So far however as blood goes we have a good foundation upon which 

 to build in our mares, and judicious selection of sires will soon result 

 jn a good class of working horse. 



