42 NOTES ON BEEEDING RACEHORSES. 



two tubes of the same width, but of different length, a certain 

 quantity of air shall pass in exactly the same space of time, it 

 follows with mathematical certainty that, in the longer tube, 

 the current must be forced through at a quicker rate, and, con- 

 sequently, affect the sides and valves in a higher degree than 

 in the shorter. It is, moreover, a well-known fact in human 

 physiology, that long necks incline more to diseases of the 

 larynx than others. 



English breeders do not, however, on account of the predom- 

 inating number of short races which may be won by a roarer, 

 hesitate to use stallions thus afflicted at the stud. I believe 

 that, if the system were changed, two-year-old racing abolished, 

 and the distances to be run over generally lengthened, throat 

 diseases would gradually diminish, though not at the same ratio 

 in which they have for the last thirty years increased. 



I am, however, no advocate of so radical a measure as the 

 abolishment of two-year-old races, which for many reasons 

 could not be carried out without any detriment to racing at 

 large ; I am only at a loss how to check in any other way the 

 fattening process yearlings are forced to undergo, and the too 

 early and too frequent racing of two-year-olds. 



It will, no doubt, be argued, that there are many roarers to 

 be found in France, although in that country two-year-olds do 

 not run before the 1st of August, and the distances in races for 

 horses above that age are twice as long as in England. It is 

 true there are a good many roarers in France now, but the dis- 

 ease was imported from England, and has spread with the 

 greatly enhanced prices of yearlings, caused by the vast in- 

 crease in the demand for racing material. 



Based on and caused by the rapid growth of racing in 

 France, a great number of studs, principally breeding for the 

 yearlings market, have sprung into existence, carrying on 

 wholesale production by means of unsound mares, imported 

 from England by the dozen at 501. apiece and even less. 

 Twenty years ago there were scarcely any roarers in France, 

 but also no studs breeding for sale. 



I am well aware that at present many public breeders may 



