22 THE PERCHEKON HOKSE. 



the West. It has been for many years the rendezvous of 

 the draft races of the whole West. 



Now, see in what an exceptional position this country 

 is placed. First and foremost, I do not hesitate to say 

 that there exists no French race which could have multi- 

 plied and preserved its original type under such unhappy 

 influences. We can but deplore the slight care taken in 

 preserving it pure and intact, and the want of judgment 

 in the delicate operation of crossing. 



There has been no uniform and logical plan for improv- 

 ing as well as increasing it. To make the greatest possible 

 profit out of this hen with the golden eggs has been the 

 only aim. 



When the post-coaches, wagon transportation, and the 

 public conveyances were organized and generalized ; when 

 every thing requiring the use of the horse had undergone 

 excessive development ; when the improvements of our 

 roads, the multiplicity of business transactions, and the 

 enormous internal traffic, required increased and rapid 

 locomotion, all eyes were turned towards Perche, and it 

 became necessary for her to satisfy the increased demand. 



Let us see in what condition was the Percheron breeder 

 to satisfy all these demands. As for race, he possessed the 

 best. Strong, yet quick, it was that, of all others, which 

 contained the most blood. It owed this to the soil and 

 climate. It was the best to feed, the easiest to raise, and 

 the most favorably situated to be cheaply multiplied. And 

 with all this, it had at its door the best of known markets. 



Wagons, diligences, and post-coaches, required horses 

 such as the Percheron cultivator loved to breed for himself. 

 Hence that sympathetic understanding which developed 

 itself more and more between the Percheron producer 

 and the consumer occupied in public transportation. And 

 the anxiety to meet the demand was one of the most active 

 causes of degeneration and of the drafts made upon this 

 and the neighboring breeds. 



