THE HORSE HISTORY. 503 



such loads are known to be drawn at the same pace by any 

 horses in the kingdom as the single-horse carts of carriers and 

 others in West of Scotland." " Though inferior in weight to 

 the largest English, they possess properties which render them 

 exceedingly valuable for ordinary uses. On the road they per- 

 form feats that can scarcely be surpassed, and in the fields 

 they are found steady, docile and safe." 



There seems to be a difference of opinion among American 

 importers as to the origin of the Clydes, but, so far as known, 

 the difference is slight, and may serve as a means of sharpen- 

 ing the edge of the advertiser rather than adding to the value 

 of the horse or evolving the truth of history. 



Be the origin detailed as it may, the student of the history 

 and origin of breeds will conclude that the system of selection 

 and variation has evolved the thorough-bred and the hunter. 

 The thorough-bred is chiefly of Eastern origin, with the barb and 

 Arab as his base. The English and Scotch drafts have their 

 origin chiefly in the Flemish blood, and their individuality or 

 types have been established on a line of different selections, 

 and under the varying influences of soil, feed, climate, and 

 handling. 



The claims of importers of the English Drafts, that the Clydes 

 have been built up on the English draft base, are amusing to one 

 who has read the history of these breeds by men who had 

 no ax to grind. Mr. Dysart, in letters to Live Stock Journal, 

 says : " The English breeders told him that the Scotch breeders 

 of Clydes had come over and bought mares of the cart-horse, to 

 improve the Clydes ; while the Scotchman claims the opposite 

 to be the case." He says the English seem to have bred solely 

 for size and strength, without action. While the far-seeing 

 Scotchman had in view size and strength, combined with quick 

 motion, and they have succeeded well in obtaining it in 

 their horses. This accords with what Mr. Low says in his 

 work. " Dealers from almost every part of the United King- 

 dom attend the markets of Glasgow and Rutherglen." " Many 

 Clydesdales find their way to the central and even southern 

 counties of England." " They are longer in the body than the 



