7C LESSONS IN AGRICULTURE 



the first three measurements each equal about two and 

 one-half times the length of the head. 



If we take the total length of the horse's head, and 

 compare it with the body of a well formed horse, we 

 will find that there are four other measurements al- 

 most exactly equal to it as follows : 



1. The length of the neck from the top of the withers 

 to the poll. If there is much difference between these 

 measurements, we say that the head is too long or the 

 neck is too short. 



2. The height of the shoulder from the top of the 

 withers to the point of the elbow. 



3. The thickness of the body from the middle of 

 the abdomen to the middle of the back. If there is a 

 great variation in these measurements, we say the horse 

 has poor form. 



4. The width of the body from one side to the other. 

 A better instrument for taking the measurements of 



a horse, as suggested by Mr. Harper in the Cornell 

 Rural School Leaflets, is as follows: A piece of soft 

 white pine two inches wide, one-half inch thick, and 

 four feet long ; to one end of this, and at right angles to 

 it, tack a similar piece of pine 18 inches long; to the 

 other end strap loosely an ordinary carpenter's square so 

 that it may slide back and forth. Now mark off the 

 long piece into inches, beginning at the inside of the 

 right angle. 



"Ay! gather your reins and crack your thong, 



And bid your steed go faster ; 



He does not know as he scrambles along. 



That he has a fool for a master." Holmes. 



