116 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



enjoin upon our farmers to give heed to the teachings of all 

 physical laws with reference to this point. 



Then, too, the training is of the utmost importance. Prob- 

 ably no people in the world are more particular in their care 

 of this noble servant of man than the Arabs. As soon as the 

 colt is born they bestow upon it the utmost care. It is fed with 

 regularity, and has its honie in the family tent. Subjected 

 to the kindest treatment, it learns nothing but docility, and 

 obedience to its master's commands becomes a part of its 

 nature. No regular system of breaking is necessary, for it is 

 always ready at call to do whatever may be required. Our 

 mode of life renders the system of course somewhat different, 

 but we may well pattern after those wild men of the desert 

 in watchful solicitude for the young animal. The treatment 

 should invariably be kind and gentle, and the course of train- 

 ing should be based upon the presumption that the colt is 

 docile and willing to do. As in training a young child, impa- 

 tience should be banished from the mind of the teacher. If the 

 young horse is shy, a little kindly soothing will prove far more 

 effectual than the lash ; and by a resolute but mild treatment, 

 his disposition may be moulded as the master may desire. 



The horse is an animal quick to learn, and he will readily 

 perceive if he is driven by one who does not feel within himself 

 a controlling power. Hence we should never allow a young 

 horse to be driven by a person of a timid or vacillating dispo- 

 sition. The germ of future trouble would, in that case, be 

 surely sown. 



In conclusion, we would suggest that the society should pro- 

 cure some horse for the use of the people of the town by which 

 our stock may be improved. The market must, for a long 

 series of years, be far better than it has ever been before, and 

 if we would compete with -people abroad, it behooves us to see 

 that we begin aright. The best blood will produce the best 

 animal, and the expense of raising, does not vary materially, 

 whether a good or a poor horse is to be the result. Prom 

 pecuniary consideration, if from no other, we trust that this 

 suggestion will be carefully weighed. 



Augustus Franklin, for the Committee, 



