39 



the qualities desired to improve the breed to which they 

 belong; 2 to encourage, by means of money bounties, the 

 preservation of the animals, both male and female, of 

 native breed. 



EXAMINATION AND TRIAL OF STALLIONS 



In the months of October or November, each year, an 

 examination is made of all the stallions of native breed 

 intended for service in the course of the year. As regards 

 the bxamination of stallions of native breed (Belgian breed 

 of draught horse), each Province is divided into a certain 

 number of districts, which the committees of examination 

 visit. It is owing to this selection of the breeding sires, 

 which had been in operation for several years earlier in 

 some of our provinces, that BelgiiMn is, in possession of a 

 breed of draught horses of the highest rank. 



The committees for the examination of stallions are also 

 charged with the aw r arding of bounties of which mention 

 will be made later. 



The committees are formed of 5 members, of whom 

 four are elected by the permanent deputation of the 

 provincial Council, the fifth is elected by the Minister of 

 Agriculture. The members elected by the permanent 

 deputation hold office for four years, they are only 

 re-eligible after an interval of one year. One exception 

 to this rule is generally made as regards the President, 

 w r hose tenure of office may be permanent. 



The country includes 44 district meetings of examination 

 of stallions, as follows : 



Province of Ant\\ erp 3 meetings 



)> Brabant 3 



West Flanders .... 6 



East Flanders .... 5 



Hainaut 6 



Liege 5 



Limbourg 2 



)> Luxembourg .... 5 



)> Nainur 6 >> 



Since the month of January 1902 the Minister of Agricul- 

 ture has elected, in accordance with the provincial regula- 

 tions and the recommendation of the Belgian Jockey Club 



