88 Tmo HoiiSK I.\i)isri;v i.\ Xi;\\ ^'()l;K Statk 



Beliiiaus were first imported iibout 1800, and a few scattering; 

 importations were made up to 1H88. 1 have in mind two im- 

 portations made to onr owai farm in 1883-85 under the name of 

 Boulonnais. These horses were not popnlar in New York State, 

 being- too blocky in type. In the past twenty-five years the im- 

 provement in the Belgian has been very rapid. There is no 

 doubt ])ut that the breed has been much modified and refined in 

 accordance with the American demand. The Belgian breeders 

 realized fnlly the importniice of the foreign market and have 



Fic. ;)2. ■ l!i:\i: i)( )i;." Om: of iiik .Xfosi Xotkd Stal- 

 lions OF THE BeL(41AN BrEED. CHAMPION OVER ALL 



Breeds at Paris Show, 1898; Also Champion at 

 Brussels Show, ISOS 



(Photi) hii ]■:. ,s'. .17,-/y/. ^^iinicuac, V. Y. ) 



worked to correct the existing faults of their hreed and to im- 

 prove their style, symmetry and action. While the impo^rtation of 

 Belgians in anything like large numbers is of comparative recent 

 date, they have shown in this country the greatest percentage of 

 increase, and now rank next to the Pcrcheron in popularity. The 

 Belgian stallion is especially adapted for crossing on common 

 mares lacking weight and character. This cross shows the great- 

 est improvement in uniformity and draft type. The wonderful 

 progress this breed has made in this country may be said to be 



