HUNTERS' IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY 439 



and not over eighteen years of age, should by the Society's 

 veterinary surgeons be declared free from all hereditary 

 diseases, and should in other respects be considered suitable 

 for the objects of the horse-breeding scheme. They alone 

 could be selected for mares receiving nomination the 

 property of farmers whose holdings were less than 150 a 

 year tenement valuation, two-thirds of the fee of 3 being 

 paid by Government. A thoroughly revised scheme for the 

 encouragement of horse-breeding in Ireland was issued by 

 the Board of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for 1905, 

 and it was reprinted in the Hunters' Stud Book, vol. ii., 

 page 248. 



The Hunters' Improvement Society 1 entered its twenty- 

 first year in 1905. Its objects, stated in vol. ii. of the Stud 

 Book, 1906 (eleventh volume of the series), are : 



1. To improve the breed and promote the breeding of 

 hunters and other horses used for riding or driving, and 

 for military purposes. 



2. To give premiums at spring shows, and obtain for 

 breeders the use of sound stud-horses at moderate service 

 fees. 



3. To publish Stud Books the first nine volumes were 

 Records of hunter stallions and mares, and use means to 

 induce the various Agricultural Societies to offer prizes at 

 their shows for mares and young stock. 



4. To attract public attention to a subject so important 

 to the nation, and to spread knowledge of the principles 

 upon which a better class of horse may be bred. 



The membership in 1905 numbered 1695, as compared 

 with 1 1 12 in 1896. The income for the year 1904, viz., 3861, 

 included a sum of 479 received from the Royal Commission 

 on Horse-breeding. Gold medals are offered annually by 

 the Society at its own show and at the shows of the three 

 National Agricultural Societies ; and there are over 100 

 Associated Societies which may secure gold, silver, and 

 bronze medals if they offer prizes for hunter classes on 

 published conditions which are calculated to encourage the 

 breeding of good, sound animals. A list of stallions registered 

 for service is annually added. 



On 3Oth May 1904, the Council of the Hunters' Improve- 

 1 A. B. Charlton, Secretary, 12 Hanover Square, London. 



