144- OF LIVE STOCK. 



it ; but in that case it is necessary, that both the mare and 

 the stallion, should be of the best cart-horse breeds, crossing 

 with half-bred stallions, producing a very inferior stock. It 

 is in general however maintained, that breeding and work- 

 ing horses, cannot w ell be combined, unless upon small farms, 

 and that they do not give full labour throughout the year. 

 Ploughmen, it is said, should always be employed with their 

 horses, and not put to other work, while the mares are nur- 

 sing. Besides, the foals come at the very time when their 

 dams are most wanted, at least on turnip farms. Upon 

 arable farms, it is considered to be the best plan, to buy 

 2 1 year olds at Martinmas, to give them a little corn through 

 winter, and harrow with them in spring. They may be oc- 

 casionally worked through summer, (though it is better to 

 let them run idle), and they will plough very well next win- 

 ter, when rising four, provided they are well fed, for full 

 feeding is every thing to a working horse. If horses arc 

 worked only five years, that is, bought when rising three, 

 and sold at eight, they should bring at least prime-cost, if 

 they have escaped accidents. 



Some farmers object to the plan of breeding, because 

 they lose the work of the mare wholly, for five or six weeks, 

 but that is fully made up, by the work of the young horses, 

 when two or three years old; and in this way, they not only 

 supply themselves, but they are also enabled to sell their 

 work horses, when at a high value, and sometimes an extra 

 young one, which thus becomes a regular part of the return 

 of a farmer. 



Aware of this objection, (the loss of the work of the mare), 

 Mr Allan has begun to try young horses with cows' milk, 

 which he thinks a great advantage ; indeed he has thus rear- 

 ed the best foal he ever had.* It is a saving, as the mare can 



This practice is, I understand, known in Yorkshire. In many cases, 



