272 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



She is also often put early at work, and her growth is by that 

 means checked, hence a greater disparity in size than nature 

 would give. It is quite common for breeders to select large 

 animals for sires, when it would be much wiser to choose fine, 

 compact ones of medium size. The greatest improvement ever 

 made in England, in her breed of horses, was accomplished 

 by the use of small stallions of eastern blood, coupled with 

 mares having much more size. Skilful breeders adopt the 

 rule of using a male proportionably smaller than the female. 

 By this course larger lungs are obtained and greater perfection 

 in form. The foetus generally takes its size from the male 

 parent, and the female, if much smaller than the male, will not 

 ordinarily properly nourish her offspring, either before or after 

 birth. Animals improperly nourished in youth, are usually 

 coarse. " To produce the most perfectly formed animal, abun- 

 dant nourishment is necessary from the earliest period of its 

 existence until its growth is complete." 



It is usually wise to do well whatever we do. It is so in the 

 raising of horses. The cost of rearing a fine animal is not much 

 greater than the rearing of an inferior one. The first gives to 

 the breeder both pleasure and profit, the latter little of either. 

 How frequent is the complaint, that " there is no profit in 

 breeding horses ;" and yet we know that horses really good, 

 uniformly command remvmerating prices, and often large 

 profits. Let those who would make the breeding of them repay 

 well the cost, be sure to make a wise selection of their breeding 

 animals, and give to their offspring a good supply of suitable 

 food, with proper care, and they will not be disappointed. 



G. C. MuNSELL, Chairman. 



