162 PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING. 



fully aware of the necessary requirements, to find them 

 in the best combination in the horses nearest at hand. 

 A stallion may be all which can be desired for one dam 

 and yet be very unsuitable for another. In this aspect 

 we can perceive how valuable results may accrue from 

 such establishments as now exist in various sections of 

 the country, where not a single stallion only is kept, 

 but many, and where no pains nor expense are spared 

 to secure the presence of superior specimens of the 

 most approved breeds, and choice strains of blood in 

 various combinations ; so that the necessary require- 

 ments in a sire are no sooner fairly apprehended than 

 they are fully met. On this point therefore, my sug- 

 gestion is, that this relative adaptation of the parents 

 to one another be made the subject of patient and care- 

 ful study ; and a word of caution is offered lest in the 

 decisions made, too great importance be attached to 

 speed alone. That speed is an element of value is not 

 doubted, nor do I intimate that he who breeds horses 

 to sell, may not aim to adapt his wares to his market 

 as much as the man who breeds neat cattle and sheep, 

 or the man who manufactures furniture to sell. But I 

 do say that speed may be, and often has been, sought at 

 too dear a rate, and that bottom, courage, docility and 

 action are equally elements of money value and equally 

 worthy of being sought for in progeny. Nor is it un- 



