170 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



pleasinf? evidence of progress that many agricultural societies 

 have, the last year, offered premiums for the best walking, as 

 well as for the best trotting horse. 



THE USE AND BREEDING OP HORSES. 



Fifty years ago, when there were no railroads and few other 

 roads worthy the name, iior light wagons, nor mowing, nor 

 reaping, nor threshing machines, while the world was yet asleep 

 and men did not care to move faster than four miles an hour, 

 never having dreamed of a mile in three minutes, there was 

 little occasion for endeavoring to improve the breeds of horses 

 in this country. Now the times are changed, and we are 

 changed with them. The world rushes on and we must, and 

 therefore the question is continually heard, " Where can I get 

 a better horse ?" Once people paid some regard to the price of 

 a horse, but now the main inquiry is, " What can he do ?" 

 Incredible sums are given for the finest animals, and there are 

 many buyers where there is one first-rate horse for sale. More 

 horses are now sold every year for $2,000, and upwards, than 

 were sold for $200, and over, twenty years ago. Then $100 

 would purchase one of the best horses, now it will hardly buy 

 a young and sound one of any sort. During the past year, as 

 the newspapers inform us, one horse has been sold in tliis 

 country for $25,000 — and, in England, one for $22,500, and 

 three others for $15,000 apiece. 



Tliis clearly shows that the supply of fine horses is not equal 

 to the demand, and that intelligent, well-directed efforts to 

 raise tlicm would be amply rewarded. 



The breeding of race horses, whether for running or trotting, 

 has fortunately never been a profitable business, and never can 

 be, because where speed is the sole object only the fastest few 

 are very valuable, while the remainder are not generally well 

 adapted for ordinary service. Ihit there can be no doubt that 

 either fine roadsters, spirited, fleet, and hardy, or a larger 

 slower horse for draught might be bred with great profit almost 

 anywhere in New England. 



To accomplish this successfully it is necessary that the farm- 

 ers, as a class, should know much more definitely tlian at 

 present what constitutes a good horse, and understand those 

 points in the structure, gait and style of a fine colt, by which a 



