72 PRINCIPLES OF RURAL ECONOMICS 



to give more and more attention to the improvement of the 

 saddle horse. English thoroughbred stock, which had recently 

 been developed in the mother country, was imported and 

 crossed upon the so-called " native stock." This native stock, 

 partly perhaps through its wild life in the woods, had acquired 

 a hardiness and toughness which, in spite of its diminution in 

 size, seem to have fitted it well to serve as a foundation for the 

 improved breed of American saddle horses. 



In Rhode Island, just before the close of the colonial era, there 

 was a much-prized breed of saddle horses known as the Nar- 

 ragansett pacers. This once famous breed was supposed to be 

 descended from a stallion imported from Spain. Individuals of 

 this breed were in great demand, not only in the neighboring 

 colonies but also in the West Indies. So many were sold and 

 scattered that soon after the War of Independence these horses, 

 never numerous, disappeared as a recognized breed. 



With the exception of the turkey, all our farm animals 

 and poultry were imported from the Old World. The first to 

 reach the New World were brought by Columbus to the West 

 Indies on his second voyage in 1493. Horses, cattle, hogs, 

 goats, sheep, asses, chickens, ducks, and geese are known to 

 have been brought at that time. During the colonial period 

 there was considerable trade between our own colonies and the 

 West Indies, and it is not improbable that specimens of all these 

 Spanish varieties may have found their way to our shore. This 

 is known to have been the case with horses, cattle, hogs, and 

 sheep. Dutch cattle were brought to New York and Danish cat- 

 tle to New Hampshire. In general, however, our farm animals 

 came from the British Isles. 



Rural life during the colonial era. The rural life of this early 

 period has often been described and has become a part of our 

 national tradition. In the South the rural life centered in the 

 plantation. "A great plantation with its galleried manor house, 



