lo April, 1911.] Government Certification of Stallions. 



261 



It is still early for any distinct improvement to be shown in the sound- 

 ness of the rising generation of stallions as a result of the examinations, 

 especially so seeing that there has been no legislative enactment to prohibit 

 the public use of rejected sires ; but a noticeable feature on an examination 

 of the past season's work, as well as a search of the entries in one and two 

 year old sections at most of the leading shows, has been the dearth of 

 young stallions got by sires rejected during the early years. Whether any 

 claim can be justified that this is a direct result of the examination, time 

 alone will show, but the cordial support given by the bulk of breeders to 

 the certified as against uncertified horses, which has been referred to in 

 previous reports, is possibly bearing fruit and indicates that at least the 

 best mares have not been put to rejected animals. 



During the past season 137 parades were arranged for and held through- 

 out the country, and 100 of these were carried out within the limited period 

 of seven weeks. This, when the distance that had to be travelled is taken 

 into account, is an indication of the amount of work performed by the 

 three members of the veterinary staff responsible for the major portion of 

 the examinations, in the effort made to complete them before the show 

 season came on. 



II. — Analysis of Defects of Stallions Refused Certificates, 



Season 1910-11. 



