BELLFOUNDEK BLOOD. 383: 



tomical conformation of the Clays as derived from the mare Surry was. 

 such as would afford some encouragement, and even a reinforcement, 

 of the tendency toward a larger and more powerful rear leverage.. 

 The two forces thus tending in the same direction would combine^ 

 and thus in greater desfree obtain the mastery over the short leverage- 

 of the Messenger blood. The result is, that Harry Clay breeds toward 

 Bellfounder, while Hambletonian breeds toward Messenger. Hamble- 

 tonian was, in his rear leverage, as before stated, 41 and 24, but, 

 breeds in the majority of cases back to 39 and 23. 



Harry Clay breeds 24 and 40, and in some cases 41, and this rein- 

 forced bv Hambletonian extends the line, in leno;th. I have seen ai 

 mare by Hambletonian, dam by Harry Clay. She was 15f hands i» 

 height, and her leverage was 24 and 42, and a thigh and quarter o£ 

 great power. 



These mares bred to sons of Hambletonian transmit to their pro- 

 duce this Bellfounder leverage. 



Volunteer is 24 and 40, but Bodine is 24^ and 41, Messenger Duroe 

 is 41, and Prospero is 41^. Bateman, by a son of Sayer's Harry- 

 Clay, and from a daughter of Hambletonian, is 25 and 42. These facts, 

 will explain much that before was not clearly understoo<^l. 



As I have before shown, the Abdallah and other branches of the- 

 Messenger family in this country had not reached the degree of 

 excellence to which it was brought by the union with the Bellfounder 

 blood, and this was in part owing to the improvement in leverage, % 

 matter of physical conformation wrought by the Bellfounder element.. 

 But whenever that element was deficient or overpowered, there was a 

 tendency to recede in the trotting powers of the horses bred. This 

 Harry Clay element constituted the much needed reinforcement of 

 that which was already introduced, but not in sufficient power. The- 

 lesson is an easy one and is highly instructive. It is perfectly demon- 

 strative in itself, and is to-day the clearest and most conclusive testi- 

 mony to the value of the Bellfounder blood in our American trotter^ 

 It is not the Clay cross as such. It is the blood and leverage of the 

 Bellfounder blood, coming through this Clay channel, which is simply 

 another line of Messengfer blood. 



Moreover, it is the Bellfounder blood in union with the Messenger 

 blood in a channel where it has more force and scope than in that 

 of Hambletonian, and is the one of all others with which to reinforce 

 the feebler current coming through Hambletonian. 



It is proper for me, in closing this sketch of the Bashaw or Clay 

 25 



