HORSES. 283 



HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN AND HAMPDEN. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



We hope the day is not far distant when every man will be a 

 good judge of horse flesh, and every person who owns one, the 

 possessor of a superior animal. No one can afford to keep a 

 poor animal of any kind ; much less a horse. It costs no more 

 to care for a really valuable animal, than it does, or ought to, 

 to maintain an inferior one ; though we are free to say that a 

 person conscious of possessing a poor beast is more inclined, 

 generally, even if it be a dog, to bestow kicks than caresses 

 upon it. The farmer can better afford to keep a good horse 

 than a good ox. Speed, endurance and docility, are of as much 

 advantage for farm labor, as for pleasure riding, and the farmer 

 can only obtain these desirable qualifications by first selecting 

 good stock, taking good care of it and seeking constantly to 

 make it better. 



Even the simple trials of speed, at our agricultural fairs, 

 which are as necessary to prove the good qualities of the horse, 

 as the drawing match is to prove the capabilities of the ox team, 

 are regarded by many as an innovation. But happily a better 

 sentiment is prevailing in this respect, and the race track is 

 coming more and more to its legitimate and appropriate use. 

 Every means for the improvement and benefit of this noble 

 animal ought to be hailed with pleasure by all classes, and every 

 one ought to be willing to contribute his mite to the consum- 

 mation of so glorious an object. 



There is a marked improvement in this class of animals 

 from year to year, visible in the shows of this society. The 

 present exhibition brought forward some very fine animals, 

 particularly among the young stock. This is beginning right. 

 Breed good stock, rear it well, and the poor, ill-fed, snail-paced, 

 " rack o'bones " that prevail in many localities, will soon be 

 consigned to oblivion, to be succeeded by a race of hardy, 

 nimble- footed, finely formed, and every way superior animals. 

 It is not necessary to tell the farmers of the Connecticut Valley 

 their duty in this respect ; they know it, and knowing, will 

 perform. 



J. II. Trumbull, Reporter. 



