HAMPDEN SOCIETY. 133 



In other countries, and perhaps in some parts of our own, we 

 hear much of race-horses, and hunters, and roadsters ; but, for 

 practical purposes in this community, power of draft is the 

 quality most desired and most desirable. The use of steam- 

 power answers most of the occasions of rapid motion ; while, 

 at the same time, from the small extent of territory to which it 

 can be applied, it creates an increase of transportation by beasts 

 of burden, through those places where it is not used. Hence 

 the importance of constant efforts to improve our breed of horses 

 in their power of draft. 



We shall allude to only one more topic, and that is, the very 

 great value, to the farmer, of a general acquaintance with the 

 anatomical structure of the horse. The man who raises his 

 own colts should know how to choose between stallions ; and, 

 of all purchasers, he who buys his horses must be a knowing 

 one if he would buy well. He who knows what is the proper 

 size and position of the bones and muscles of a horse, the prop- 

 er direction and proportion of his limbs, and the various indi- 

 cations of courage, activity, and endurance, — with some of the 

 ordinary symptoms of disease and injury, — is much more likely 

 than another to be possessor of a valuable animal. 



The committee are unanimous and unhesitating, in express- 

 ing their opinion, that the present is not only the largest, but by 

 far the best exhibition of horses ever offered by this society, 

 within the memory of any member of the committee. They 

 do not say this merely as a matter of form, but because it is 

 their clear and deliberate conviction. Doubtless there is a wide 

 margin for improvement, but, from the present exhibition, they 

 feel greatly encouraged to hope, and expect, that it will take 

 place. If they were to specify the class of horses, in which, in 

 their judgment, the greatest improvement over former years has 

 appeared, it would be that of colts, of three years old and 

 under. 



CHARLES F. SMITH, Chairman. 



