almost )^75.ooo,ooo, of which )^37,cxx),ooo rcprcsciuccl horses aiul more 

 than )^io,ooo,ooo beef cattle. The cuunties of Northern \ ir^inia stanJ 

 highest as st(xk-o\vning communities, and they are rapidly developing 

 in importance as stock-raising communities. 



Northern N'irginia owes to its natural blue grass its premier product, 

 the horse. Nowhere is the horse raised to better advantage or held 

 in higher esteem. Many of the best and most successful steeds exhibited 

 at American shows have come from this section, particularly hunti-r^. fr.r 

 the\'irginia horse seems naturally endowed with the ability and ;.. 

 tion to gallop long and jump high, and nowhere arc there lighter hands 

 or better seats in the saddle for the schcx^ling of a colt. Of recent years 

 much attention is being paid also to the raising of draft horses. While 

 Percherons have been most generally bred, all the recognized breeds may 



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