500 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



wants of different lines of use, but shires and counties have pe- 

 culiar points to breed for. 



There is a wide range thus in weight, height, and style of 

 English drafts, but they all are noted for great strength, hardi- 

 ness, courage, and endurance. The heaviest of the cart-horses 

 are bred in Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire. They range from 

 eighteen hundred to two thousand pounds, have very heavy 

 bone, and abundance of hair on the legs from knee down. This 

 is called " the feather." In America we find them spoken of as 

 horses " with bangs." 



In the Midland counties the horses are generally smaller, 

 but of same general style. In Lancashire and Yorkshire the 

 weight runs from sixteen hundred to eighteen hundred, with 

 compact form, heavy bone, full sinews, and less feather. They 

 are noted as rapid walkers, and some of the lighter can travel 

 six to eight miles per hour with ease. This class of English 

 drafts cross admirably on American mares, and give us active, 

 strong horses, well suited for farm or general purpose work. 



Effect of Soil and Climate. "The fens of Lincolnshire 

 produce the heavy drafts in the highest perfection," says 

 Youatt. Though its soil is not better than other counties, 

 there is something in the herbage, water, or soil, that favors 

 great growth. It is another illustration of type of animals 

 arising from peculiar natural conditions. Size of animals seems 

 greatest in the fens of England or Scotland, or Flanders or 

 Normandy, and in such soils we find the powerful growth and 

 ponderous draft-horses. Elephants and hippopotami are never 

 found in high uplands or desert regions, nor do we in such 

 regions expect to find the massive ox or more powerful 

 draft-horse. 



Heavy Black Horse. Before closing this topic we 

 should speak of the famous heavy black horse, which is "bred 

 chiefly in the midland counties, from Lincolnshire to Stafford- 

 shire." Youatt says : " These horses are adapted more for 

 parade and show, and to gratify the desire which one brewer 

 has to outvie his neighbor than for any peculiar utility. They 

 are certainly noble-looking animals, with their round, fat car- 



