69 



color on his quarter, which mark, though not a defect, was noticed 

 in his progeny in the fifth and sixth generation. If such a casual 

 mark as that would be transmitted for such a length of time, it 

 certainly is of consequence that there should be no time and ex- 

 pense thrown away upon those animals who have obvious defects, 

 mental or physical. 



The dam should be capacious, of good disposition, good consti- 

 tution and good habits. It may safely be asserted that no really 

 good man ever came from a bad mother, and we shoidd vainly ex- 

 pect a good and serviceable colt, from sire or dam, who had vicious 

 habits, vicious propensities, or physical defects. Both sire and 

 dam, then, should possess intelligence, good nature, good constitu- 

 tion and good habits. The sh-e should be spirited, — a quality not 

 inconsistent Avith good disposition, though many spirited horses 

 have strong tempers, — a fault that undoubtedly nmj be attributed, 

 in many instances, to defective education ; but however good in 

 other respects, however symmetrical or gifted with physical 

 beauty, we would caution against the use of any sire that had 

 vicious qualities or habits. An irritable horse, with a disposition 

 to be kicking, or biting, or crowding in the stall, is a brute not 

 entitled to the care and companionship of man, and no one has a 

 right to offer such for the use of the pubhc, no matter how beau- 

 tiful his form, or satisfactory his pedigree. 



The Morgan, or Vermont horse, answers our working, farming, 

 or general purposes better than any other that has appeared hi 

 New England ; if it have a dash of the Messenger blood, or of 

 the thoroughbred again infused, it might, probably, be somewhat 

 improved now ; but, taking it as it is, those who have the stock 

 in perfection will hardly look for a better. 



In concluding these brief suggestions, we would recommend 

 that measures be taken by the Society to have at its disposal such 

 a horse for the use of the County as will help to improve our 

 stock of horses generally, being convinced tliat it would be a salu- 

 tary measure, encouraging our farmers to devote more attention 

 to keeping up the breed of that animal upon whose good qualities 

 so much of pleasure, convenience and comfort depend. 



The Committee award the following premiums : — 



Stallions. 



First premium of $10 and diploma to E. P. Carpenter, of Fox- 

 boro', for his bay horse " Zack Allen." 



Second premium of $7 to Oliver Dean, of Canton, for his bay 

 horse " General Putnam." 



Third premium of $o to S. J. Capen, of Dorchester, for his 

 light bay horse " Young Ethan Allen." 



A diploma to Joseph 11. Billings, of AVest Koxbury, for his 

 four-year-old horse " Trustee." 



