AGRICULTURE AND THE HORSE. 389 



nor a black one, nor a chestnut one, nor a gray one, nor 

 ''one of a pair," but a good one. And above all, when 

 he has got his colt, let him learn to estimate him at his 

 true value, neither clothing the unfortunate animal 

 with merits which he really does not possess, nor dis- 

 posing of him to some keen-eyed buyer, who, by dis- 

 covering his powers, and realizing his promise, may 

 reap the reward. 



I have read a good many books and essays, Mr. 

 Chairman, on the subject of breeding. Some of them 

 I found to be very useful, and some of them very use- 

 less ; and many of them discuss so profoundly questions 

 already settled, that I am always reminded of Dr. 

 Holmes's Katydid, who said 



*' Such undisputed tilings in such a solemn way." 



But from my own flocks and herds I have learned a 

 few rules, which, if always applied, will, I think, be ad- 

 vantageous to our agricultural friends: at least, they 

 have been to me. 



In selecting a horse or a mare from several of equal 

 merit for breeding-purposes from two or more families 

 also of equal merit, I choose that family which has the 

 best ancestry. 



Never hope to get, from a sire which you do not 

 Hke and a dam which you do not like, offspring which 

 you do like. 



Do not try to breed out an unsoundness-: you may 

 not live long enough to do it. But you can sell in an 

 instant, — "in the twinkling of an eye." 



