84 THE PERCHEROX HORSE. 



four times to the same place. The foal is dropped, ordi- 

 narily, very early, and always in the stable, where it con- 

 stantly remains until weaning time. The dam goes to 

 work every day, and leaves its foal each morning, to see it 

 again only in the middle of the day, and at night. Green 

 clover, or other green forage, is fed, to keep up her sup- 

 ply of milk. 



At six months the colt is weaned. If it be a filly, it re- 

 mains in the canton where it was foaled, to be put to 

 breeding when it reaches the proper age. If it be a horse 

 colt, it is sold to the farmers of the raising districts, of 

 which we will speak in the chapter devoted to the trade. 



The stock of these districts is recruited from two 

 sources, the southern region principally, (in the vicinity 

 of Montdoubieau and Chateaudun,) on account of the 

 great reputation of its mares. The cultivator desirous 

 of rearing good colts traverses these districts as early as 

 the month of June, and makes his choice of colts from 

 under the dams, and out of herds of established reputation. 

 This manner of selecting stock to raise is the most logical, 

 as also the most expensive. It is much in favor with the 

 farmer carrying on a large business, in the neighborhood 

 of Mauves and Regmalard. Some cultivators of the other 

 cantons follow his example; but not so rich as he, they 

 have but the second choice. 



The second source, and the most abundant, is the pur- 

 chase of gang colts that is to say, those which, in Perch e, 

 have not been sold during the summer ; but principally 

 those from the neighborhood of Coulie, to the north-west 

 of Maus, and those of Lower Maine. They are brought, 

 entirely weaned, to the fairs of Perche about the end of 

 autumn. St. Andrew's fair at Mortagne offers a curious 

 specimen of this operation. The farmers select from 

 the gangs. The origin, in this case, is no longer of any 

 account ; there is neither sire nor dam to weigh down the 

 scales ; the merit is all exterior of the individual. If this 



