^^'0 THE H0R35. 



lbs. of Iifiy '^onsTimcd. Lastly, the mean ratioL beln,? settled by M. 

 Dubois at 2G.4 lbs. of hay per head and per diem, and the ■sveig'ht of 

 th ; animal on being taken into the meadow being 828.3 lbs., this ra- 

 tion corresponds to 7.1 lbs. of hay for PA'erj 220 lbs. weight of th(» 

 living animal. 



To sum up from the facts just stated on the subject of fattening, it 

 appears that the increase per day is : 



According to Thayer 0.98 per cent, on the hay consumed. 



« Low 0.91 



" Stephenson, 1st lot 0.94 " 



" " 2d 20.99 " 



8d 0.45 



Dubois 0.95 



§ IV. OF HORSES. 



In -what follows I shall limit myself to the consideration of the 

 horse in his relation to agricultural industry, and shall give the re- 

 sult of certain experiments which I have made upon his growth with 

 a view of solving the question, much disputed in various places at 

 the present time, whether or not the general farmer can breed horses 

 ■with advantage to himself. 



The horse employed in farm labor ought to be spirited and strong : 

 attention to external form is only to be given in so far as it is an 

 indication of the qualities that are required. He ought thv^refore to 

 be broad in the chest and in the haunches, and his muscular system 

 must in general be decidedly developed. A horse of considerable 

 size, if he be otherwise exempt from defects, is generally preferable 

 to a small animal ; he is stronger, taki-s longer steps, and does more 

 for his keep than the other. We are not to require in the draugiit- 

 horse the vivacity and amount of spirit which we look for in the 

 saddle horse, yet he ought to have that liveliness which is almost 

 always a sign of health in animals. 



Thaer does not approve of the practice commonly followed at this 

 time of mixing with good draught horses the blood of stallions of 

 elegant shape, but little adapteil to stand hard work. Although this 

 remark, is not without truth, it is still impossible to deny that in m;iny 

 cases the employnv.'nt of stallions of some breeding has much im- 

 proved the race of draught-horses in various districts. It is not 

 besides unworthy of attention, that it is really important for the 

 farmer to have a breed which he can readily dispose of to advantage, 

 particularly in those countries where horses for cavalry and artillery 

 service are in request. My own observation would lead me to say, 

 that the breeds in France are frequently improved by crossing with 

 stallions of the royal studs. The effect from this proceilure has not 

 perl laps been s.> great as might reasonably have been expected, still 

 evident progress has been made. 



The mare will take tho stallion at about the age of three years ; but 

 it is seldom that the animal is eovered at so early an aire : on the 

 farm she will be at least live or six years of are before t'.iis is allow- 

 ed, especially if the animal is to be worketl during the time she is 

 with foal : and the sam ' c mh! 1 Tatian la In n> t•^ s;u-. that a mare 



