221 



be kf'pt and mares received for service by the staUions and arrange- 

 ments made for the letting of the stallions to persons in various parts 

 of the Island on such terms as will ensure the services to mares be- 

 longing 1o all sections of the community around. Breeding done by 

 the Government for experiment on the most approved methods and the 

 proge)iy sold ;)S stud animals to purchasers for improving their breed 

 of stock. And where servants could be trained in the care, handling 

 and management of stock ; one of the greatest difficulties in Jamaica 

 10-day, with regard to any enterprise, especially stock rearing, is to 

 get st-rvants with any degree of knowledge or skill. 



H. C. Paton, Esq : (1 ) A better return could, I believe, be obtained 

 if breeders C'luld be induced to be more careful and judicious in the 

 mating of their mares and learn what type of animal it is most desir- 

 able to produce. It an inducement could be offered such as a guaran- 

 teed purse for three year olds of the desired type, I think breeders 

 would soon learn the type required. 



2. I would suggest that stallions oi' the desired type be imported 

 and located in the differeut hnrse- breeding districts of the island that 

 they should serve approved mares iree, and that the approval be not 

 given unless the mare is really of the right stamp. 



That native stallions of the desired type be given a substantial pre- 

 mium and be located in the different districts to serve approved mares 

 free or for a very small fee as is done with King's premium stallions 

 in England. The amount of premium would however have to be suf- 

 ficient to make it worth the owner's while to take it rather than keep 

 the horse at stud himself. 



I would also suggest that an annual license be put on all ungelded 

 horses of 3 years old and upwards. This would prevent the serving 

 ot mares by bad stallions whose fee is often as low as 8s. This class 

 of stallion is much patronised by the small settlers, some of whom 

 having nice mares which they put to the bad stallion, with the almost 

 invariable result that bad progeny is produced. It is almost incalcu- 

 lable what an amount of damage these stallions do generally, and yet 

 we see Agricultural Shows held under the auspices of the a gricultural 

 Society wheie a prize is given to this class of animal under the head- 

 ing of settlers' stallions. 



A. RoxBXRGH, Esq. : Do something to make horse owners do away 

 with worthless stallions. There are hundreds of these brutes in the 

 country that annually do more damage to our horse breeding than 

 any one an estimate Mares are taken to them at small fees of from 

 ^s.'to IGs., and ignorant and short sighted own rs of mares patronize 

 theiu on thut account. All they aim at is to (/et a foal. 



Let all stallions be licensed and impose a penalty on any one keep- 

 ing one that is not duly registered. 



There would be plenty of work the first year for the professional 

 castrator ! 



Messks. T. H. Sharp & Son : (1) Start a Stock Farm and feed the 

 foals from six months old in a proper manner so as to give them bone 

 and sinew. 



(2) Encourage by premiums the importation of thoroughbred horses 

 from England as sires. 



