PREFACE. 



The little volume which is now presented to the notice of 

 the lovers of the horse in America is a translation of the 

 work of a distinguished French author, who, holding a high 

 position of trust, made this as a report to the Government. 

 His views in some respects may be regarded as extreme, 

 but on the whole they are characterized by strong common 

 sense and are supported by a practical familiarity with all 

 the phases of his subject which should give them weight. 



The Percheron horse no doubt stands first among the 

 draft breeds of the world. His value has been thorough- 

 ly tested in this country, and the fact is established 

 beyond a cavil that with careful breeding, and probably an 

 occasional renewal by the importation of fresh blood, the 

 Percheron maintains his superior characteristics, and im- 

 presses them upon his descendants of only one-quarter or 

 one-eighth blood to a very marked degree. The value of 

 fast trotters, their encouragement by Agricultural Societies, 

 and the enormous prices which have been paid for animals 

 valuable simply for their speed as trotters, has no doubt 

 had a tendency to direct the aims of horse breeders in a 

 wrong direction. The result is, from whatever cause it 

 comes, that the true horse-of-all-work has been neglected. 

 The Percheron, combining as he does a certain attractive- 

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