HELPFUL HINTS. 413 



Horses, good, strong, sturdy horses can be purcliased in 

 most sections of the State for from $125 to $150, large 

 horses, either imported from some of the Southern or West- 

 ern States, or the offspring of such, born in Florida. If 

 the latter, they are thoroughly acclimated and there is no 

 fear for their health, if they are treated with the consider- 

 ation that should be given them, whether in Florida or 

 elsewhere. If the former, ascertain, if possible, how long 

 they have been in the State. It is running a risk to buy 

 ahorse ''just brought over" the border, except, indeed, 

 from Southern Georgia, whose climate and forage plants 

 are so like those of Florida as to be practically the same. 



The time is not distant when the "Land of Flowers" 

 will be able to boast of her horse as well a^ cattle ranches; 

 and meantime she has already at least two reliable and ex- 

 tensive breeders of trotting and running horses, Schrader 

 Brothers and Captain Patrick Houston, both of Tallahas- 

 see, to whom we have already referred as breeders of Dur- 

 ham, Jersey, and Guernsey cattle. Then there are the or- 

 dinary ''Florida ponies," a breed of horses rather smaller 

 than those in common use at the North, where heavy draft 

 animals are required, yet strong and sturdy, requiring less 

 feed to keep them in good condition than do the larger 

 horses. While less able to haul heavy loads than the latter, 

 they have quite as much, if not more, endurance, and are 

 well fitted for all the ordinary hauling and cultivation of 

 the farm or grove, or for driving purposes. 



These Florida ponies can usually be purchased for from 

 $80 to $125. 



Be certain, before concluding the bargain, that the ani- 

 mal has been broken not only to the saddle and plow, but 

 also to pull a cart or top-wagon. We have known more 

 than one too-ready purchaser who found himself the dis- 

 mayed owner of a horse who declined to pull cart or wagon, 



