196 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



difficulty in producing what is desirable lies in the uncertainty 

 of the animals from which we undertake to breed. To obtain 

 a good product, we must have a good sire and good dam. It is 

 therefore of importance to know not only the antecedents from 

 which we intend breeding, but the antecedents of their ances- 

 tors. Although form and general appearance are of very great 

 importance, blood should never be overlooked. The further 

 back the pedigree of both parents can be traced through good 

 specimens, the greater assurance the breeder may have of 

 obtaining what he desires, based upon the established principle 

 that like will produce like. In the examination of breeding 

 mares, regard is very properly paid to her colt, which is required 

 to be exhibited by her side. The same rule ought to apply 

 more forcibly even to stallions. The fitness of a horse for the 

 stud depends much more upon pedigree and unseen qualities, 

 such as a good stock-getter, than upon his outward appearance. 

 Therefore specimens of his stock should be exhibited by his side, 

 to aid committees in the correctness of their decision. To judge 

 accurately in regard to the real merits of a horse, is a difficult 

 matter without the aid of his colts. The dam should be capa- 

 cious, of good habits, good disposition and good constitution ; 

 then breed from none but sound parents, as each inheriting the 

 same excellences will transmit them to their progeny. It is a 

 great mistake (and we might say almost a universal practice 

 with many farmers,) to breed from old, worn-out and unsound 

 dams, with the full conviction that like will get like ; yet to 

 realize to their greatest gain, they will argue that they are good 

 for breeding purposes. Hence so many poor, unsound and 

 worthless horses in the country. Soon these same breeders are 

 in a query, and wonder why they do not have better and more 

 perfect colts — why they are so deformed and so liable to this, 

 that and many other diseases — and are ready to exclaim, " The 

 investment in horses is very uncertain;" when, in every nine 

 out of ten cases, the mystery is easily solved, if they would look 

 from Avhat they have bred. Another mistake, is in not being 

 more liberal in the feed of the young, that their fine points may 

 be more fully developed. Not that we would recommend too 

 high and excessive state of feed, but a regular, uniform course 

 in quantity and time, when practicable. Better care and more 

 kindness should be manifested towards them, that they may have 



