162 THE HORSE 



propagating the breed. We must adopt something of 

 this sort for all the breeds if we ever succeed in pre- 

 serving the high standard seen in recently imported 

 horses. In no other way can we hope to produce an 

 American variety of Percherons better adapted for 

 heavy work than those brought over at great pains 

 and expense. The Percheron is capable of improve- 

 ment; why not have a home -breed as much superior 

 to the average foreign horse as the American Merino 

 is superior to the imported Spanish Merino ? The 

 breeders of trotters and Holstein cattle are on the 

 right track, and will win out at the end. 



Already something is being done to change the 

 somewhat objectionable light colors to dark ones. The 

 coarse heads and goose rumps, formerly all too common 

 in all of the draft-breeds, are becoming rare, and they 

 can be entirely eliminated only by official and rigid 

 selection. Our government is not paternal, and cannot 

 and should not do this work, since the associations 

 have the power to do it, and can do it better than 

 the government officials. Which society will be the first 

 to adopt more rigid and better rules for registration 

 of horses ? 



Description. The color of most Percherons is gray 

 of varied shades. Sometimes it is quite light, becoming 

 nearly pure white in old age. Again, the striking light 

 and dark dapples are seen, and dark grays, almost 

 black, with a few white hairs. Comparatively few 

 blacks have, as yet, been bred, although dark colors 

 are sought and are more common than formerly. 

 The American purchaser prefers darker rather than 



