618 THE HORSE. 



examples of very fine horses may be presented here than in 

 other breeding districts, but fewer fall below the standard 

 aimed at. 



These horses are disposed of in great numbers at the fairs 

 of Glasgow, Rutherglen, and others in the district, and nume- 

 rous dealers resort thither from different parts of the king- 

 dom to procure them. They are carried largely to Lanca- 

 shire, and even to the southern counties of England. They 

 are taken in considerable number to the north of Ireland, 

 where they are used by carriers and others. They have 

 spread over the whole Lowlands of Scotland from Caithness 

 to the Solway Firth, and have been mixed in blood with all 

 the other varieties. They are now reared in the eastern as 

 well as in the western counties, with more or less of inter- 

 mixture with the pre-existing breeds. 



The Clydesdale Horses, although inferior in weight and 

 physical strength to the Black Horse, and in figure and 

 showy action to the better class of the Draught-Horses of 

 Northumberland and Durham, yet possess properties which 

 render them exceedingly valuable for all ordinary uses. On 

 the roads the individuals perform tasks which can scarcely 

 be surpassed, and in the fields they are found to be steady, 

 docile, and safe. It is important not only to the district 

 which produces them, but to all the others to which they are 

 carried, that a due attention be given to a development of 

 the useful properties distinctive of the breed. In Clydesdale, 

 some breeders apply themselves to the rearing of Stallions, 

 and exhibit in their practice the skill and liberality which 

 can be desired ; but in the case of the mass of breeders in 

 the district, no peculiar energy or skill is exhibited. They 

 are often too easily contented with cheap and inferior mares, 

 and not always sufficiently aware of the importance of em- 

 ploying stallions of the first class. 



IV. THE SUFFOLK PUNCH BREED. Besides the heavy 

 Black Horse, and the other larger horses of the country em- 



