HORSES 1307 



the districts of Ontario, Quebec and Xew York, as also in IMichigan and Min- 

 nesota. 



Sheep. — In sheep breeding, the Shropshire and Hampshire breeds are 

 the most widely found, being appreciated both on small farms, ranches and 

 extensive sheep pastures. The former breed is valuable for its fleece, the 

 latter for its weight. The Oxford requires more abundant pasturage ; the 

 South Down is the classic meat producer ; the spread of this latter breed is 

 also due to its size and its splendid fattening powers ; there are very few 

 breeds which can dispute its supremacy as a show animal, or for the butcher. 

 The Dorset breed has gained favour with some breeders, chiefly owing to 

 its capacity to produce lambs during the winter period, and its good milk 

 production. 



The fine wool breeds, Rambouillet and Delaine Merinos, have had to 

 give way to meat breeds in the agricultural region where land is dear ; on 

 the great prairies, however, they still form the basis of big flocks, owing to 

 the value of their wool and their remarkable herding instinct. The Lin- 

 coln and Cotswold are still very nuich in demand for the purpose of crossing 

 with the two above breeds, owing to their great size and to their precocit}' 

 and abundant wool production. The Leicester and Cheviot breeds are li- 

 mited to the northern climate and find particularly favourable conditions 

 in Ontario. 



The factors limiting the spread of the Cheviot breed are its size and its 

 undeveloped herding instinct. Nevertheless, after the South Down, this 

 race possesses the best type of carcass, but the possibilities of its extension 

 through the region of the Apalache mountains, and the other mountainous 

 parts have not been developed. 



993 - Horse Breeding in Minnesota. — The Breeder's Gazette, Vo\. I^XIX, No. 25 

 p. 1294. Chicago, June 22, 1916. 



A " Report of the Horse Breeding Industry in Minnesota " issued by 

 the " Minnesota Stallion Registration Board ", University Farm, St. Paul, 

 Minn., shows that 2056 purebred and 1896 grade stallions were licensed to 

 stand in Minnesota this year. This is an increase of 54,7 per cent, of pure- 

 bred stallions and a decrease of 14.3 percent, of grades in the last 6 years. 

 Of the 2056 licensed stallions, 1244 are Percherons, 326 Belgians, 126 

 French Draft, 93 Clydesdale, 52 Shires, 4 Suffolk, 142 vStandardbreds, 23 

 Morgans, 21 German Coach, 11 French Coach, 5 Hackneys, 4 Shetlands 

 and 2 American Saddlers. The stallion registration board tends to en- 

 courage horse development in the State in every possible way. Special 

 horse breeders' meetings are held at various points in the State, judges are 

 furnished for many local colt shows, speakers are sent to meetings of 

 farmers' clubs and short courses, and farmers are assisted in the selection 

 of good sires. Special attention is given to considering inquiries pertaining 

 to the feeding, breeding and management of horses. 



The stallion registration law is vigorously enforced by the board ; the 

 25 cases prosecuted in i9i5for violation oi the law were all decided in favour 

 of the State, with fines of S 25 to S 100. 



