HORSES. 195 



constantly on the watch, excitable and frightened at every ob- 

 ject, however trifling. Such horses are difficult to manage, 

 they are unreliable, the conduct of to-day is no indication of 

 what it will be to-rnorrow. At one time calm and quiet, and 

 then suddenly, for slight causes, they become excessively ex- 

 cited and well-nigh unmanageable, and if in addition the temper 

 is bad, it will be exhibited in all its viciousness. Such horses, 

 however, may be fast travellers, and some of them may have 

 strong powers of endurance ; they have usually elegant and 

 well developed forms, especially if they are thoroughbred ; they 

 have fine skins, and soft, silky hair and mane, delicate but well 

 proportioned limbs, and quick, active movements; yet with all 

 these admirable qualities, they are so delicately and finely or- 

 ganized and possess so much excitability of brain and nerve 

 that they soon begin to fail and rapidly wear out. We might 

 extend these remarks further in reference to the other tempera- 

 ments, and treat of their excellences and defects, but enough 

 has been said to direct attention to a matter which is deserving 

 of serious consideration. If we are ever to have a breed of good 

 horses, possessing as far as possible every good habit and excel- 

 lence ; if we are ever to establish a scientific, philosophical sys- 

 tem of breeding, one not subject to the results of chance, but 

 reliable from the working'of fixed and well defined principles, 

 it must be done by a thorough and comprehensive knowledge, 

 not only of the physical organization of the horse, but of all 

 those laws which govern his whole being, those laws and prin- 

 ciples on which are depending the highest development of all 

 those qualities which go to make the most perfect animal. 



P. LeB. Stickney, Chairman. 



BARNSTABLE. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



Horses, Stallions, Mares and Colts. — The Committee on 

 horses, stallions, mares and colts beg leave to urge upon the farmers 

 of Barnstable County the necessity of Continued attention to the 

 breeding, more particularly, of this noble animal. The horses of 

 our county at present cannot be claimed as of any particular 

 breed. l\\ fact, there is no particular breed tiiat is just suitable 

 for a horse of all-work, a kind necessary for our purpose. If 



