76 THE HORSE 



butter record to registry in the Shorthorn Herd -book. 

 Years ago the folly of such action was seen and the 

 rule was abrogated, but, while it stood, hundreds of 

 short-sighted breeders fell into the delusion and used 

 pacing sires and dams in the vain hope of producing 

 fast trotters. The fallacy of it is now so clearly seen 

 that no breeder of intelligence is misled by it. 



All rules may have exceptions, but the general rule 

 that "Like produces like or the likeness of some 

 ancestor," is as well settled as is the truth of the multi- 

 plication table. A number of breeders of exceptional 

 ability and exceptional opportunities have had phenom- 

 enal success in some seeming departures from the 

 principle of this rule, as Governor Stanford in his use 

 of Electioneer upon thoroughbred mares, but it must 

 be kept in mind that in his power to impart the trotting 

 gait to his progeny, Electioneer stands alone. The fact 

 is also important that Governor Stanford had a very 

 large number of thoroughbred mares from which he 

 selected those which he bred to Electioneer. In choos- 

 ing them he thoughtfully looked to the question of 

 size, conformation, disposition and gait, regarding the 

 last two qualities as of the utmost importance. He 

 saw clearly certain deficiencies in the trotter which he 

 believed would be remedied by a thoroughbred cross, 

 and the production of Sunol, Palo Alto and Arion 

 justified his theory; the first two having thoroughbred 

 dams, and the dam of the last being also very highly 

 bred. The same thing has been done by Senator Rose, 

 and Mr. Alexander, of Woodburn Farm. The young 

 breeder may ask, Was not this a departure from the 



