90 TYPES AND BREEDS 



Color is gray or black most commonly, the former more typi- 

 cal and growing in favor, as expressed in the demand, although, 

 bays, browns, chestnuts, and even roans are encountered. 



Way of going is not more accurate, but manifests a snap and 

 boldness not displayed by draft horses as a rule. 



Respects in which some Percherons are not strong and to the 

 correction of which conscientious and intelligent breeders are 

 giving their attention are the set of the hind legs, the conforma- 

 tion of the liocks, and the slope of the pasterns. 



Economic Importance. — Percherons outnumber in this coun- 

 try all other draft breeds combined, and their popularity seems 

 to be increasing proportionately. This is no doul)t due, in part, 

 to the good start given the breed by the pioneer breeders and 

 importers. From the time of their introduction into Union and 

 Pickaway counties, Ohio, in 1851, through their period of de- 

 veloj^ment in Ohio, Illinois, and Iowa, especially, tliey have been 

 given every opportunity to make good. But more important than 

 this, perhaps, has been their general adaptability to meet the con- 

 ditions of the average American farmer. Even tliough the de- 

 mand for the highest class of draft horses is from the cities, their 

 production must, of necessity, involve the farmer. It is useless 

 to attempt to interest the practical farmer in a proposition which 

 does not appeal to him in a practical sense. Prom the very first 

 the Percheron has made a strong bid for his favor. The adapt- 

 ability which characterizes the Percheron as a breed may also 

 be noticed in his use as a pure-bred sire. Prom a patronage of 

 the most miscellaneous sort of mares, a Percheron will average 

 a large percentage of marketable colts, varying, it is true, from 

 weight-cariTing saddle horses and hunters, and even harness 

 horses, to the draf tiest of draft horses, but each good in his class. 

 The fact that most native American mares have some degree, if 

 not a preponderance, of hot blood in their ancestry and may, 

 therefore, be expected to nick better Avith Percheron stallions, 

 may accoimt for the manifest excellence of the latter in this 

 respect. 



THE BELGIAN 



Belgium is a part of the original territory to which the old 

 Flanders horse was indigenous, and as the history of the breed 



