708 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



They possess great endurance and strength, and make excellent draft horsos, although a 

 lighter animal would be desired for common use. 



Boulonnaise Draft. This breed was first brought into notice in the vicinity of 

 Boulogne, but has rapidly spread throughout the region of Paris. They are thus described: 



&quot;They are of about 1,600 or 1,700 pounds weight, and have a handsome form for a large 

 animal. Their action is more clumsy than graceful, and they are principally used for very 

 heavy draft purposes, where great strength is needed instead of speed. The moving of the 

 heavy blocks of stone used in the buildings of Paris is done with these horses. It is not 

 unusual to see six or eight of them hitched in line, drawing blocks of several tons weight, 

 which of necessity must move very slowly. They are mostly gray in color, but bays and 

 blacks are not uncommon. For the purposes to which they are by nature adapted, they are 

 entitled to be classed among the best of draft horses.&quot; 



The Conestoga is descended from early importations from Flanders and Denmark, 

 and is a mixture of several breeds, but owes its principal characteristics to the former- 

 mentioned sources. A heavy roadster, he was more frequently employed as a draft horse, 

 and was formerly extensively reared in Pennsylvania. The best types of this variety 

 possessed fine symmetry and great power, and were much preferred by the German emigrants 

 of that State. They are now rarely met, having been superseded by the Percheron-Norman, 

 Clydesdale, and other breeds for draft purposes. 



Cleveland Bays. As the name indicates, the prevailing color of the horses that 

 bear this name is a light bay. They were first known in the district of Cleveland. In the 

 latter part of the eighteenth century, this district became noted for producing a heavy breed 

 of horses suited for cavalry or the coach, and from their history it appears that they are part 

 thoroughbred, being a cross between the race-horse and the large horses found in the country. 

 The old Cleveland horses were very large, and noted for their strength. They are reputed to 

 have carried on their backs a weight of 760 pounds, (or more than 54 stone,) a distance of sixty 

 miles in twenty-four hours. This old race is now nearly extinct, the animals that at present 

 bear that name having but a slight resemblance to them, these having been changed in size 

 and form by careful breeding, to meet the modern ways of travel, since on the improved 

 public highways of England the old-fashioned, cumbersome coach is now for the most part 

 useless. Consequently these animals have been considerably reduced in size by the infusion 

 of thoroughbred blood, so as to conform to the new order of things for which they are in 

 demand, both at home and in other countries. 



They combine the necessary size for ordinary or general -purpose use, with style, action, 

 and endurance, while they have a beautiful color, which is transmitted to their offspring with 

 as much certainty as characterizes the Devon cattle. If exhibited at a fair, they would 

 probably be catalogued as either family, carriage, coach, or saddle-horses, their average 

 weight being about 1,400 pounds. 



Youatt, speaking of the improved Cleveland Bay, says: &quot;Now we have an animal 

 tall, deep-chested, rising in the withers, slanting on shoulder, flat in the legs, with far more 

 strength and treble the speed.&quot; 



Another writer describes them as follows: &quot;The modern Cleveland Bay is a large, 

 elegant horse, standing 16 to 16| hands, and weighing from 1,350 to 1,500 pounds; a fine 

 head; full, bright eye; long, arched neck; oblique shoulders; deep chest; short back; long 

 quarters; strong, clean, cordy legs, and perfect feet. Their color, bay; full, flowing mane 

 and tail, and black legs, usually clear of white. 



Cleveland Bays are very strong-blooded, and impress their characteristics on their grade 

 offspring with certainty. They have long been very popular in all parts of Europe for coach 

 purposes, and also for light artillery and cavalry.&quot; 



