HORSES. 353 



command a price varying from thirty to seventy-five dollars ; 

 and at a more advanced age, prices are often realized that 

 doubly compensate for all trouble and expense on their behalf. 

 We know that some breeders sell their stock for prices much 

 belo-w these figures, but whenever this occurs it will generally 

 be found to be the result of injudicious breeding. Too many 

 farmers, in our opinion, are in fault in this respect, either from a 

 lack of judgment to guide them to a proper selection of animals 

 from which to breed, or, what is still more to be deprecated, 

 when their judgment is sulficient to direct them to the proper 

 course, they are deterred therefrom by the narrow considera- 

 tion that the use of such animals is attended with an expense 

 above that required for those of an ordinary character, not 

 considering that the price paid for a good article is almost 

 universally found to be more profitably invested than that paid 

 for an inferior one. 



But the question may be very properly agitated, "What is 

 the character and style of the race of horses most proper to 

 be bred by the farmers of Berkshire ? A solution of this ques- 

 tion, satisfactory to the tastes of all, we know to be almost 

 impossible. For, were it put to the sportsman, he would un- 

 doubtedly say, without regard to size or form, give me the 

 horse that has the greatest speed, as any one that has not a 

 capacity sufficient for two forty, is beneath my notice. Were it 

 proposed to the drayman or cartman, he would undoubtedly 

 manifest much less regard for the speed of the animal, and 

 decide in favor of the one that has the greatest power of 

 draught. But neither of these decisions are satisfactory to us, 

 as we think a race of animals of this character would not meet 

 the demand of this community; and, occupying the position 

 that we do on this occasion, we trust we shall be pardoned 

 though we give a free expression of our views on this point 

 asking you to let them pass only for what, in your opinion 

 they are worth. 



We would recommend for size the horse whose weight, when 

 in flesh suitable for labor, is from 1,100 to 1,200 pounds ; whose 

 form shall be such as to satisfy the demand of the most tasteful 

 eye ; possessed with a constitution that shall enable him, when 

 under proper feed, to endure all reasonable toil that may be 

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