incalculable in their disastrous effects. Trade would 

 be paralysed, and all classes of industry would neces- 

 sarily be reduced to a deadlock. Of course this is 

 suggested simply to illustrate -the real worth of the 

 horse, on the same principle that few benefits are 

 fully appreciated until they are gone, for, as the old 

 proverb runs, ** We never miss the water till the well 

 runs dry." The recent war in South Africa had 

 a remarkable influence on the price of horses, which 

 serves to illustrate their value and importance, not- 

 withstanding the advantages of steam and other modes 

 of locomotion. Whilst motor power, both on the 

 ro^d and in the field, has no doubt come to stay, yet 

 horse labour cannot possibly be altogether super- 

 seded ; there are a hundred odd jobs on the farm 

 and in the town where motor locomotion is impractic- 

 able. When railways and steam were introduced, 

 many writers predicted that the demand for horse 

 power would be lessened ; instead of that, however, 

 time has proved that horses have been required in 

 very greatly increased numbers. As it has been with 

 railways and steam, it may not be too sanguine to 

 hope that the demand for good, sound horses may 

 still go on increasing. 



Having sketched briefly how largely we are de- 

 pendent on the horse as an essential agent to progress, 

 we should like to impress on all those who have the 

 direct management of him, to exercise, at all times 

 and in all circumstances, a uniform kindness towards 

 him. 



