716 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



but patient in bad spots; and although for a long time steadily engaged in the heavy work 

 of a new farm, his owner at that time informs us that he never knew him refuse to draw as 

 often as he was required to; but he pithily adds, I didn t very often have to ask him but 

 once; for whatever he was hitched to generally had to come the first time trying. This uni 

 form kindness at a pull was one of the striking characteristics of the horse, and the same 

 trait may be observed in the greater part of his descend en ts. Pulling matches and pull 

 ing bees were as common in those days as short races, and the little horse, (as he was often 

 called,) became quite celebrated for his unvarying willingness to do his best, and for his great 

 power at what is called a dead lift. &quot; 



The Morgan horses were spirited, with fine action, but kind and docile in disposition. 

 They were from thirteen and a half to fifteen hands high, being of medium size, with finely- 

 formed head and neck, symmetrical bodies, deep chest, short back, and long quarters ; mane 

 and tail heavy. Though horses of fine type, and well adapted to the road, they are regarded 

 by many as too small for a general-purpose horse on the farm, and consequently are not, as 

 previously stated, in as high repute ,as formerly, although still highly valued by many. 

 Among the noted descendants of Justin Morgan may be mentioned Black Hawk, Gifford, 

 Ethan Allen, Morrill, Taggart s Abdallah, Gen. Knox, Fearnaught, and Lambert. This 

 family of horses possessed the power of transmitting their excellent qualities to their offspring 

 in a remarkable degree, and dominating over other bloods with which they were crossed, so 

 that wherever found, a Morgan horse would at once be known by the peculiar characteristics 

 which distinguish this family. 



The Orloif. This is the most celebrated of the Russian breed of horses. It takes its 

 name from a Russian count who was an enthusiastic horseman, and who, in 1775, imported 

 from Arabia a fine gray stallion of unusual size and strength named Sometaxa. This stal 

 lion was the progenitor of the Orloff race, which are noted for large size and fine action, 

 while great pains are taken in training them to trot, and to prevent them from moving in any 

 other gait than a walk, or trot. Many of them are very fine trotters, but do not quite equal 

 in speed the trotting horses of America, as will be seen by the following table giving the best 

 Orloff record. 



It is stated that Count Orloff was an intelligent enthusiast in the enterprise he established, 

 and persistently refused to part with any of his breeding stock, preferring to dictate with re 

 spect to perpetuating and improving this race of horses. After the Count s death the stud 

 was scattered a portion of it passing to the crown. Private studs were established about 

 this time, and an Orloff stud-book instituted. As a means of developing the trotting powers 

 of his horses, Count Orloff had been a patron of the race -course, and since his death the 

 Russian Government has furnished more than half of the prize money expended in the estab 

 lished trotting races. Russian trials of speed are regulated by laws, and the result of a 

 violation of any of the rules laid down for the purpose of securing a fair contest, renders the 

 owner or driver liable to a severe penalty, not less than that of a trip to Siberia at the Gov 

 ernment s expense. Mons. Jules Goujon, who has resided for many years in Moscow, says: 



&quot; The entries for the races are according to age qualifications, except that for horses past 

 six years old they are free for all. The heats are never less than three versts, and the decid 

 ing heat is at the same distance. In races of four and one-half versts, the deciding heat is 

 at three versts. Races of six and twelve versts, are decided in one heat. The first prize is 

 not given to the horse who comes in first in the race, but in the deciding heat. The number 

 of horses entered in each race is unlimited, but they are started three at a time, and the two 

 horses out of the entire number of starters who trot the distance in the least time, according 

 to the watch, take part in the deciding heat. If the horse winning in the first trial comes in 

 second in the second trial, then a third heat settles the question of supremacy. Only two 

 moneys are given. There are three tracks, one for each horse, of oval shape, enclosed one 



