340 Report on the Agriculture of 



which are sold into the country as yearlings, and so improve 

 the general horse stock of the country, and spread noble blood 

 throughout the land. Secondly, the breeding of both lighter 

 and heavier half-bred stallions for saddle purposes. These 

 young stallions are at 3^ years old drafted off to depots which 

 are scattered through the country, for the purpose of improving 

 the native races which abound in the hands of the peasants. 



The thorough-bred stallions and mares have, without exception^ 

 been obtained from England. The stud furnishes annually, on 

 an average, 26 young stallions for the depots. The inferior 

 horses are castrated and sold by auction, the worst at from 1 to 

 2 and the better at 3 to 4 years old. Every year, from 14 to IB' 

 young mares are introduced into the stud, and about an equal 

 number are sold by public auction with the geldings. 



This year (1873) four-year-old fillies have averaged 90Z. each, 

 and the stallions sent out to the depots realized 120/. to 150Z. each. 



Considerable difficulty has recently been experienced in the 

 rearing of half-bred foals, owing to the great prevalence of sup- 

 puration in the lungs, the cause of which has not yet been dis- 

 covered. This has carried off a very large proportion of the foals. 

 For four years past it has destroyed, on an average, 35 out of 85 

 head, and this year 15 out of 83 half-bred foals have succumbed ! 



The unhealthiness of the stock is a great cause of anxiety to 

 Colonel Zoest and his staff of veterinary surgeons. The disease 

 which attacks both lungs and liver was attributed, partially at 

 least, to the water, and analysis revealed the absence of both 

 iron and sulphur. It was also thought that the fodder contained 

 too small a proportion of bone constituent. I recommended a 

 little sulphate of iron in the water, and dressings of super- 

 phosphate to the pastures ; but as yet the true cause of the 

 disease is not known with certainty. 



Among the horses at Kis-Ber were many ready for use or lor 

 sale, and among these were several very superior saddle and 

 carriage horses, and some well adapted to make weight-carrying 

 hunters. There is a yearly sale, but great dissatisfaction was 

 expressed at the spiritless character of the bidding and the 

 amount of collusion which exists even among gentlemen. 



The following English thorough-bred sires, once well known 

 in England, were seen in excellent condition in this somewhat 

 remote locality. Buccaneer was in good form, and is most highly 

 esteemed as a sire ; also Cambuscan, Diophantus, Ostreger, Pol- 

 moodie, and Tarquin. Highflyer, and Pride of England, two 

 very fine horses, represented the best type of Norfolk trotters, 

 and are greatly admired in their new home for their strength and 

 action. A fine assortment of mares by Alert, Stockwell, Pyrrhus 

 the First, Ivan, Flying Dutchman, Saunterer, Orlando, Lord of 



