THE 



HORSE STOCK OF IOWA. 



Secretary's Office, Muscatine, February 21, 1856. 

 Mr. Herbert, 



Dear Sir, — Your favor of the 28tli ult., addressed to the 

 Secretary of our State Society, readied me this evening, through 

 the politeness of Mr. Warden of Ottumna, in this State, to 

 whom it appears to have been addressed. 



Your enterprise is an excellent one, and permit me most 

 heartily to wish you entire success. Such a work is much 

 needed. 



In a few days I will endeavor to give you all the informa- 

 tion that is within my reach ; but it will necessarily be very 

 meagre, and probably unsatisfactory. At the present time, I 

 do not believe there is a thoroughbred in the State, and it is 

 doubtful whether ever there was one in the State. My impres- 

 sion is, however, that as early as 1838-40, one man brought 

 some three or four stallions, which have been bred with com- 

 mon mares until there is very little good blood perceptible. 



Within the last two years, a very commendable ambition is 

 prevalent to improve this noble animal, which has set princi- 

 pally in the direction of the Vermont Black Hawks and Mor- 

 gans.* 



I take the liberty of enclosing you a cut of a horse f of my 



* Ethan Allen, owned by J. H. Wallace, Muscatine, Iowa. By old Black Hawk, 

 he by Sherman Morgan, it is not stated whether S. M. 1 or 2. Dam by Tippoo Saib, 

 he by old Duroc — not the race-horse Tippoo Saib. 



f This cut represents a very fine and stylish horse, in slow action, exhibiting 

 most of the points which are claimed as peculiar to the Morgans — the high crest, 



