HAMPS., FRANK. & HAMPD. SOCIETY. 253 



Upon the introduction of railroads into our country, the be- 

 lief was cherished by many that the demand for horses would 

 be so materially lessened, that the effect would be to lower the 

 price. But what is the result? The number of horses in 

 Massachusetts has increased from 60,000, in 1840, to 75,000, in 

 1850, while the price has been constantly increasing. 



There is no more difficulty or uncertainty in breeding a fine 

 horse than in raising a crop of corn, when the same consistent 

 principles are adopted. It is true both may fail, but the former 

 no more likely to than the latter. 



In the first place, to breed a fine colt, or a horse, the sire 

 must possess four things, at least, in the fullest perfection — 

 form, motion, carriage, and constitution. These are absolutely 

 indispensable, but can never be found to much extent in an 

 overgrown animal, and at the same time we would avoid, as a 

 general thing, a pony stallion. Another thing is also essential 

 in selecting your stock horses. A sire should never inherit 

 any bad blood from his ancestors, for he will be more likely to 

 sire stock like his degenerated kindred than like himself, and 

 for this reason too much care cannot be exercised in the selec- 

 tion of your sires. 



There should also be great care in the selection of your 

 breeding mares, and when right views are entertained upon 

 this subject, it will not be considered unprofitable, or out of 

 place, to select the best mares we have for this purpose, and 

 experience will fully demonstrate that much, very much, de- 

 pends upon this. 



If we wish to raise good horses we must adopt fundamental 

 principles, as laid down in nature's laws, which will always 

 prove true in practice, and when this is done we shall not be 

 behind our neighbors in New York and Vermont, who have 

 been eminently successful in this business, and are now reap- 

 ing the reward of their labors. 



The idea that it makes but little difference what kind of 

 treatment a colt receives the first winter, is also very erroneous. 

 Great care and attention is necessary that your colts be kept 

 growing and thrifty. Your committee the last year referred to 

 the practice of winter hardening, as it is sometimes called, than 

 which nothing can be more detrimental. Those who have had 

 the most experience have found that inattention the first win- 



