1 62 The Trotting and the Pacing Horse 



conclude that the equal of George Wilkes in 

 speed has not yet appeared. As a sire he will 

 never be approached." 



The transfer of George Wilkes from New York 

 to Kentucky gave him the benefit of a climatic 

 outcross, but just how much merit there is in 

 this cross belongs more to the realm of specula- 

 tion than to demonstrated fact. Some breeds of 

 domestic animals have more power to accommo- 

 date themselves to climatic conditions than others, 

 which shows higher plasticity in organism ; and 

 when such is the case there is generally an in- 

 crease in size and vitality. Constitution is affected 

 by the change when artificial conditions are not 

 introduced, and food has its influence. The 

 mares sent to Ashgrove from distant states usu- 

 ally ran in woodland pastures and were nourished 

 by blue-grass. George Wilkes himself had the 

 advantage of a large paddock, and his stable was 

 liberally ventilated. The change from training 

 environment evidently added to his vigor, and 

 freedom from artificial restraint improved the 

 mares at his court. I have long believed in the 

 climatic outcross, and yet when reasons are de- 

 manded that will satisfy the sceptical it is diffi- 

 cult to give them. C. J. Hamlin was one of the 



