50 Reports of Committees. 



timation of your committee, that so much requires the attention of this So 

 ciety at the present time as the Horse. Although the most noble of all 

 animals, and one only requiring of the producer attention to the laws of re- 

 production and consanguinity to insure success ; his high rank and great 

 worth is but poorly appreciated, and the familiar lesson taught by these 

 laws that "like begets like" is to a o-reat extent disregarded by the breeder. 

 Evidence of this fact exists in almost every section of Southern Berkshire. 

 Such for example as 1, reeding from a heavy or wind-broken Stallion, or a 

 foundered Stallion, or one of little size, or from the Stoga Canadian, whose 

 only qualification is that of the cart horse. And what is still more absurd, 

 from the horse of unsightly color, transmitting to his stock spotted rumps 

 and hairless tails, and all without speed. 



There is no animal of which the market value varies so much as that of 

 the horse. The difference cannot be estimated at less than one hundred or 

 one hundred and fifty dollars between a good or poor one, and it holds true 

 without including great speed, and this large amount is often sacrificed by 

 the breeder for the small difference in the price of service. Statistics are 

 not at hand to show the number of horses raised within the limits of this 

 society, but it is safe to say that the numbers are such that were they all 

 from first class sires, to make in the dilierence an aggregate in favor of the 

 breeder of immense amount, besides adding largely to the material wealth 

 of Berkshire, and these facts so easily demonstrated, would, we think justify 

 this society in adopting radical rules, if necessary to produce a reformation 

 in this class of animals, and we would suggest awarding premiums to such 

 stock only as can, not only show good qualifications in itself, but also good 

 antecedents. 



The colt Commodor Knox, owned by .Mr. E. Williams of Great Barring- 

 ton and to whom we award the first premium, we regard as a Stallion of 

 rare merit, and as such commend him to the breeder. He is large in size, 

 symmetrical in form, muscular in limb and possesses a remarkable combina- 

 tion of good qualities, and his good breeding is manifest in the fact of his 

 being a perfect type of his Sire, "Gcu. Knox," owned by lion. T. S. Lang 

 of Vassailx.ro, Me. One of your committee having seen Mr. Lang's horse 

 trot his famous race at Springfield a few years ago, and having also seen 

 Mr. 'Williams' colt driven, we venture the assertion that the great speed of 

 this colt is only a question of time, he not yet having been handled. 



STALLIONS. 



For best stallion, E. Williams of Great Barrington, 

 2d do., (x. H. Babcock of Lenox, 

 3d do., Harrison Calkins of Alford, 



STUD COLTS. 



For best stud colt, William -I. Mallory of Lee, 

 2.1 d..„ Thomas French, Jr., of West Stockbridge, 



