182 THE HOKSE BOOK. 



sire may belong. In sliort the grade Sliire 

 mare seems to assimilate readily with what- 

 ever stallion she may be coupled, handing on 

 her own bulk and strength and in this regard I 

 count her especially valuable. Everybody likes 

 a good Shire gelding. His massive proportions, 

 strong back, wide, well sprung ribs, long, 

 straight stride and generally powerful appear- 

 ance commend him to all. In the higher crosses 

 the mass of hair about the shanks is indubitably 

 a detriment, which is but one further proof that 

 the interest on this side of the ocean is suffering 

 from the disregard of its needs displayed by 

 the English breeders. The care of the legs of 

 a Shire in this land of black gumbo soil and 

 intense heat is assuredly one of the handicaps 

 under which the breed strives to make head- 

 way. 



Still despite this drawback, and the further 

 one supplied by his often too straight pasterns, 

 the elements of success in the betterment of our 

 draft stocks inheres deeply in the Shire. His 

 prepotency is acknowledged, his showing in the 

 market place, numbers considered, is adequate. 

 He has suffered undoubtedly from the very fact 

 that his grade mares produce so admirably to 

 stallions of other breeds. That many of them 

 have been crossed out of their breed continu- 

 ously, making for the glory and renown of oth- 

 ers, is well known. His numbers are not great 

 in this country actually or relatively. He has 



