THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPEDIA. 



The distinguishing characteristics may be stated as follows : The aver- 

 age height is about fourteen hands ; the body is solid, compactly put to- 

 il or, but somewhat inclined to flatness of side ; the head is rather large 

 lor a horse of the height stated, but it is well formed and lean, so that it 

 does not appear out of proportion and cumbersome; the forehead is broad : 

 the ears are wide apart, and carried well up ; the eye is small and clear, 

 :;nd has a bold expression ; the chest is broad and full ; the shoulder is 

 strong, but inclining to be straight and rather low and heavy at the 

 withers ; the loins are fine ; the croup round and fleshy ; the thighs mus- 

 cular ; the legs comparatively heavy and joints pretty large, but the bones 

 are flat, and no race of horses has sounder and more powerful limbs ; and 

 none can equal- the Canadian as to feet these being tough, hard, iron- 

 like, and free from disease, even under the most unfavourable circum- 

 >tances. This seems to be one of the most valuable characteristics of body. 

 Bad handling, awkward shoeing, hard travel nothing in the bounds of 

 reason seems to affect his feet. Diseases of this part are almost absolutely 

 unknown. 



The mane and tail are peculiar, being very heavy, and in almost all 

 cases, wavy. The back sinews are shaggy-coated, nearly to the knee, and 

 the fetlocks are long. 



The prevailing colour is black ; but browns and chestnuts are frequent- 

 ly found ; sometimes sorrels and duns, having manes and tails lighter 

 than the body. Occasionally there may be found a dark iron-gray, with 

 black legs. 



Canadians are long-lived, easily-kept, and capable of the greatest endur- 

 ance. They are heavy enough for the purposes of the farmer ; and as 

 roadsters, while they are not to be regarded as rapid travellers, they 

 maintain a reasonable rate of speed, say six miles an hour, for long jour- 

 neys and continuously, and this while carrying a heavy weight ; it is 

 nothing uncommon for them to do fifty miles a day for many days in 

 succession. 



BEEEDS OF POULTEY, 



Within the last few years the number of so-called distinct varieties of 

 fowls has been largely increased. Whether the breeds are originally dis- 

 tinct may be doubted. Not above five or six can be relied on to br- 

 ail their chickens like themselves. For practical purposes fowls may 

 treated as if there were but few kinds, for almost all require the same 

 treatment. It may be convenient to group all the kinds at present culti- 

 vated under two headings. 



