PART II. 



OP THE MEANS OF REGENERATING THE PERCHE- 

 RON HORSE. 



Perche, in order to retain its best customers, and not 

 drop to a level with the common herd of horse-breeders, 

 must at once have recourse to systematic means of im- 

 provement. Her breeders have shown a deplorable alacrity 

 in the downward course, which has brought upon them 

 the depreciation in the value of their stock, of which they 

 begin to perceive the effects. 



"Facilis descensus Averno ; 

 Sed revocnre gradum, 

 Hoc opus, hie labor est !" 



Unanimity of will and unity of means are both neces- 

 sary to accomplish the ascent, and regain the position 

 which the breed has lost. Two measures present them- 

 selves as each essential in accomplishing this result. The 

 first step is to restore the disturbed equilibrium by a well- 

 planned and uninterrupted series of crosses, effected with- 

 in the breed. This would arrest the evil. The second 

 step should be, subsequently, to breed up by improving 

 crosses, practised with a wise and circumspect delibera- 

 tion. This would be making progress. 



At the very outset, and continued parallel with this 

 course of breeding, a Stud-book should be instituted, in 

 order that all thus subjected to systematic improvement 

 should be brought together, and thus initiate a general 

 improvement of the breed. The development of these 

 ideas will furnish matter for the following chapters. 

 32 



