96 THE RACING WORLD 



might have bred winners ; but this must be left to 

 his judgment, and he would not breed feeble little 

 weeds that are of no real use, and injure the reputa- 

 tion of the English thoroughbred. A good stud 

 groom who is trustworthy and experienced is also 

 a first essential to success. 



In writing about feeding mares and young stock 

 I should have said that where the soil is suitable 

 for its production lucerne should be grown, as it 

 comes in early and is much relished by horses. 

 Gorse, too, cut young and properly crushed, is a 

 most wholesome diet, and it may not be generally 

 known is an excellent and easily applied vermifuge. 

 A question that I have often endeavoured to solve 

 is the effect of a foster mother on the colt. What 

 set me thinking about this matter was that Blink 

 Bonny, who had bred the mighty Blair Athol, 

 died after giving birth to his own brother Breadal- 

 bane, who was brought up by a cart mare. Now 

 Blair Athol was a game horse, which could not be 

 said of Breadalbane, and the latter's stock were soft. 

 Was '* Madam " to be blamed for this ? I have 

 often wondered. Perhaps some other breeder 

 who has devoted attention to the matter could 

 enlighten us upon this subject. 



It requires much experience of foals to say what 

 their colour will be. Foals at birth are very often 



