HUNTING ROUND MALTON. 211 



Scanty by Morocco out of Scurry by Firigal, 

 her dam, Shepherdess by Morocco, a well-bred 

 mare that goes back to old Grog, is a fine galloper 

 and should make a good brood mare when she 

 has done work. 



The hunters are a very level lot, as may 

 readily be gathered from the fact that so many 

 of the mares spring from the same strain. Every- 

 thing that a long experience can suggest is tried 

 to ensure success, and the small proportion of 

 weeds that are bred is sufficient testimony to 

 the skill and intelligence used in mating the 

 mares. It is a welcome change in these days of 

 hurried forcing and breeding for the sale ring, to 

 visit an establishment where horses are bred and 

 used in such a manner as to ensure their arrivino- 

 at maturity without a premature break down. 

 That weight carriers can be bred without resort- 

 ing to heavy and hairy-legged cart mares is 

 sufficiently demonstrated at Birdsall, where there 

 is perhaps as large a proportion of weight carriers 

 as there is in any stud in England. 



Lord Middleton has always exercised the great- 

 est judgment in the selection of sires, and has not 

 been led away by the passing rage for big horses. 

 Peppermint by Camballo out of Mintdrop was 

 the first sire he had with which we were well 

 acquainted, and although it became the fashion in 

 some places to decry him on account of his size, 

 he has thoroughly established his position as a 



