48 THE PEKCHERON HOUSE. 



ing in those sections naturally most propitious to style and 

 size. Soon, Perche, placed in a situation without a rival 

 for the present, and, above all, for the future, might for- 

 ever avoid asking any thing of foreign crossings. For 

 though the choice of the stallion and the mare is so im- 

 portant in the production of the foal, the climate, the kind 

 of food, the agricultural habits, and, finally, the adaptation 

 of the region to horse breeding, are of a great deal more 

 importance in the development of the animal. It becomes, 

 then, somewhat difficult to indicate accurately to what 

 types, in such particular cases, the preference should be 

 awarded. The best are those which most nearly meet the 

 wants of the section. 



CHAPTER VI. 



IMPROVEMENT OF THE BREED BY MEANS OF FOREIGN 

 CROSSINGS. 



However, if with strength acquired and faults correct- 

 ed, style is not attained, it may be sought after by judi- 

 cious crosses with well-chosen foreign types. 



Two different breeds present themselves to us as means 

 of improving our stock by the introduction of foreign 

 blood : the Arabian, and the English, with its variations. 

 Starting from this point, let us study both and endeavor 

 to discover, by analogy, which one would best suit, or, 

 rather, which one is the least unfavorable to the purpose. 



I will examine, one after another, these two methods in 

 detail, leaving to the cultivator, who is most interested in 

 the question, the choice of employing that which seems 

 to him the best and the most appropriate, taking into 

 view the fertility and the nature of his section. But I 



