452 MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



an interesting and important problem for solution. If successful, it will 

 show that we can develop our own breeding stock of horses in this coun- 

 try ; it will make light horse breeding less of a lottery than it is at pres- 

 ent, and will at the same time provide breeding animals which can be 

 used profitably on the lighter horses of the country. 



"After a thorough search, the department has purchased as founda- 

 tion stock eighteen mares and one stallion. In addition, it can command 

 the services of additional stallions, if desired. The instructions of the 

 purchasing board allowed considerable latitude, but it was required to 

 select strictly according to type. Heredity unsoundness was regarded as 

 a disqualification. Pedigree was not considered, so far as registration 

 was concerned, but the board required evidence to be submitted showing 

 that the animals purchased were from parents and ancestors of like type, 

 thus insuring blood lines that would breed reasonably true. Speed, while 

 not ignored, was not made an essential. Life, spirit and energy, with 

 moderate speed, were considered, while conformation and good action 

 was regarded as an advantage. 



"The type for mares was one standing about 15.3 hands, weighing 

 1,100 to 1,500 pounds, bay, brown or chestnut in color, with stylish head 

 and neck, full made body, full croup, muscular forearms, quarters and 

 lower thighs ; good all-round action was insisted upon. Any tendency 

 to pace or mix gaits were regarded as grounds for disqualification. In 

 some cases, mares of more than 15.3 hands were purchased, and in others 

 they were less than this. All. however, conformed closely to the type. 

 Some of the mares are in foal ; the rest will be bred this spring. 



"The ancestors of six mares purchased in Wyoming have been bred 

 for five or six generations in that state, the band having been started by 

 means of an importation of horses from the central west, which was 

 largely of Morgan stock. On this stock thoroughbred and standard sires 

 have been used, and the herd has been developed more to produce a 

 horse suitable for carriage purposes than one which had speed character- 

 istics. Some of the six have been exhibited at the New York Horse 

 Show, aud the owner of the ranch maintains a stable near New York 

 City, where he sends his surplus from year to year to be finished for the 

 fine city trade. 



THE SIRE, CARMON. 



"The search for a stallion to head the stud was the most difficult of 

 all. An almost unlimited number of trotting horses, suitable to get good 

 carriage horses, were recommended to the department, but on investiga- 

 tion it would be found that they were deficient in some respect and could 

 not be considered. A horse was finally selected, which was among the 



