BETTER FOOD, ENVIRONMENT AND BLOOD 231 



generation goes back to one or two more or less noted 

 ancestors. If the distinguished blood has not been 

 fortified by some inbreeding, by the tenth generation 

 the offspring would contain but one part of the dis- 

 tinguished blood to 1,023 parts of blood from other 

 sources. Surely, but few valuable qualities of a single 

 remote distinguished ancestor would be likely to appear 

 in the offspring. It is not wise to lay too much stress 

 on the value of the blood of remote ancestors, which 

 has been diluted many times. The improvement of 

 the horse, where he has been improved, has been due 

 largely to three principal causes: improved food, bet- 

 ter environment and more rational use and training, 

 and the infusion of new and better blood. 



A man who wished to stint his mare was asked if 

 he wanted to inspect the stallion. "No," he said, "I 

 have inspected his colts." So the beginner should 

 inspect the get of a horse, if possible, before he 

 patronizes him. 



