126 THE HOKSE BOOK. 



quality and shapeliness the higher the price. 

 It has been stated that better geldings have 

 been shown at the International than there ever 

 were stallions. As to this I need not express 

 an opinion, but the fact remains that some mar- 

 velous specimens have been exhibited and the 

 keen rivalry of the great packing firms to obtain 

 the very best always insures a top-notch price 

 for a top-notch animal. Add to this that a 

 score or more of the largest eastern firms are 

 always actively in the market for this best class 

 and it is easily seen what an alluring prospect 

 is spread out before the farmer-breeder by this 

 sort of trade. To get the big money, however, 

 it is necessary always to offer something the 

 buyers want. The farmer who deliberately 

 caters to the needs of the poor teamster who 

 ekes out a more or less scanty living by the 

 labor of his equine slaves need never expect to 

 get the prices which are secured by the breeder 

 who caters to the wants of firms worth millions. 

 Eemember this : No matter how high a breeder 

 aims he will always get some misfits. If he 

 aims to breed the very best drafters he will get 

 always a certain proportion of chunks, wagon 

 horses and nondescripts. If he sets out to 

 breed any- lower grade, he will get enough poor 

 ones to put a serious crimp in his receipts. 



During the dull times which prevailed be- 

 tween 1892 and 1900 most farmers sold off 

 their best mares and went out of the business 



