THE PEKCHEKON HOUSE. 63 



consanguineous crossings should never again be contract- 

 ed, except under exceedingly rare circumstances, or under 

 great temptation. The dam of one of the most justly 

 celebrated horses of our times is the result of breeding 

 a stallion to his dam. From and after the second 

 generation, colts and fillies, provided their merit bad ren- 

 dered them worthy of being used as producers, might be 

 taken as types, and as a starting point of a solid and sure 

 improvement of the race of a country. 



When, in consequence of age and numerous generations 

 of his own get growing up around him, the common sire 

 might be exposed to alliances with his grand-children, it 

 would become indispensable to transfer him to a distant 

 district by proceeding in the manner indicated above. 



After such an infusion of warm blood many years might 

 elapse without the necessity of recurring again to Arabian 

 stock. But if it should be remarked that its distinctive 

 characteristics commenced to disappear from the breed, 

 and the action became less free and light, it should be 

 again resorted to immediately, following the same method 

 as before. 



The light draft types at first obtained, might, according 

 to the districts in which. they are raised, be transformed 

 into the posting, omnibus, and even heavy draft types. 

 But all should be done with time and without haste nor even 

 wishing to depart from a wise and prudent moderation. 



I cannot terminate this chapter without warning the 

 breeder against a peculiarity which hardly ever fails to strike 

 a person, who, for the first time, makes a trial of the Arab 

 cross, and which has even induced some to abandon this 

 method without reaping its fruits. I desire to speak of a 

 certain disproportion, more apparent than real, of the limbs 

 with the body. It is thus explained : The Arabian, born 

 and raised in a poor and barren country, is no sooner 

 transported to a more fertile region, than a certain fullness 

 of the body is an immediate consequence of this change. 



