174 PROMISING STOCK. 



is : not but that the public is entitled to the compli- 

 ment of full dress, but I have tact enough to be 

 aware, that as men who have nothing aristocratic 

 about them in appearance never look better than in a 

 shooting-jacket, so I consider my scribblings would 

 lose by laying aside their homely garb. 



The first thing to be considered by any one con- 

 templating breeding is the purpose for which he in- 

 tends to breed : and even then (to use a figurative 

 expression) to breed to the purpose falls to the lot of 

 very few breeders among the many. By considering 

 the purpose for which a man intends to breed, I mean 

 he should first consider whether he means to do so 

 for his own use or for sale in other words, for him- 

 self or the public. If he breeds for his own use, he 

 has to consider the nature of the service to which he 

 means to put the horse, and then to endeavour to 

 breed the best sort of animal for that service. In 

 considering what is the best description of horse for 

 different purposes, the only true guide is what is held 

 to be so in the opinion of the majority of competent 

 judges. This I allow a man need not attend to if he 

 breeds for his own use, and is arrogant enough to 

 think he knows better than all these put together: 

 and in truth I am led to imagine something like this 

 opinion does actuate many breeders, when I see the 

 number of queer animals produced, and considered by 

 their owners as promising stock. 



There can be no doubt that among the best judges 

 a little difference of opinion may exist as to what is 

 the best sort of horse for different purposes. This 

 difference will, however, chiefly be as to size, and one 

 man preferring them more highly bred than another : 

 in other particulars most good judges think pretty 



