14 NO LONGER A PUNCH. 



than fifteen hands high, often less. There was nothing very 

 showy or handsome abont him, and his clean legs and feet were 

 supposed to be unequal to London stones, although those who 

 knew him best said that they were equal to anything, even to 

 carrying a heavy weight ten miles an hour. 



Although most useful for all ordinary purposes in his own 

 country, he was never the horse to command a high price for city 

 work, and this led to his being crossed and altered to a hia'her, 

 more stylish, but hardly more useful horse. He is still chestnut, 

 has still hair on his legs, is still a good useful horse, but is no 

 longer all that used to be known as a Suffolk Punch, and would 

 no longer surpass the Shire Horse at a pulling match. There is 

 still a prejudice against him for London stones, and compared to 

 other breeds he has made little way out of his own county. His 

 homely virtues have not attracted the attention they deserve. 



THE PERCHERON. 



'2i. — Has l)een described as a " grey trotting cart horse." 

 He originated in France during the present century, and has of 

 late made some way in England, and more in America. He is a 

 cross between the Flanders mare and the lighter horses, with a 

 good deal of the Thoroughbred in them. He has been bred to a 

 tolerably fixed character, and is everywhere admitted to be an 

 active, useful horse. He has plenty of weight, good lungs, and a 

 good command of his clean, light flat legs. Tlie way he has lately 

 made amongst that combination of all civilized nations in the 

 United States, amongst the " cutest " and least conservative of 

 civilized men, leaves no doubt of his valuable qualities. 



THE THOROUGHBRED. 



25. — Between the cart horses described above and the 

 Thoroughbred horse, the varieties are innumerable. Wliatever is 

 wanted may be bred by selecting more or less weight for drawing 

 loads, more or less blood for going fast. Weight can only be 

 drawn by weight, speed in an animal can only be attained by 

 avoiding all dispensible lumber. If you want to draw a load 

 beyond your own powers, you have only to take a man of your 



