HORSES. 269 



a farmer. We say then, to all farmers, improve your breed of 

 horses, and let no misjudged economy deter you from availhig 

 yourselves of the purest thorough-bred horses from which to 

 raise your colts. 



Alfred Hitchcock, Chairman. 



HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN AND HAMPDEN. 



Report on Horses. 



The exhibition of horses this year was every way an improve- 

 ment upon the past. The number of entries in the several 

 classes was not only much larger, but there was manifestly 

 what is so much needed, a decided improvement in quality ; 

 and the exhibition sufficiently proves the wisdom of the society 

 in so tastefully and appropriately fitting the grounds for their 

 annual exhibitions. 



The example so nobly set by the society in this respect, is fol- 

 lowed by others in this vicinity on a more extended scale, and 

 elaborate finish. Others are provoked to good works by our 

 example. 



While the society has done so much to encourage the exhi- 

 bition of horses, as a part of the productions of the agricultu- 

 rists, much still remains to be accomplished. 



The only reliable source of improvement in the quality of 

 our exhibitions, must of necessity be in the breeding of stock. 

 And while we recognize this as the source of our errors in the 

 past, it is also the source from whence we are to hope for future 

 improvement. 



The money value of the horses of this country, equals one- 

 lialf tlie money invested in railroads, or five hundred millions 

 of dollars, if the railroad interest amount, as is supposed, to 

 one thousand millions. And it is not too much to say, that 

 this enormous sum can be doubled during the next ten years, 

 by simply improving the quality of the horse, by proper atten- 

 tion to tiie subject of breeding, without increasing the number. 



The quality of the breeding mares on exhibition, satisfied 

 your committee that what is needed is better sires for their 

 progeny — better blood, better bone, better spirit, and better 

 endurance — in short, better horses. 

 3d 



