80 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 



In a table compiled for the " Clydesdale Horse Society " it is astonishing »m 

 fee the influence that this horse has wielded. Without any system, most of 

 the breeders were ignorant that such a horse ever existed, till the herculeaa 

 labors of Mr. Dykes, secretary to the above society, ferreted out all these facts. 



It is most interesting to study the relationships of the various crack horses 

 of the present day. 



Wherever you begin, the pedigree by some means runs into Glancer (335). 



Gradually, but surely, from those wild uplands, Clydesdales have spread, as 

 it were, over the whole world. 



They found, early in this century, a congenial home amid the richer soils of 

 Galloway, and while thriving there, they obtained even a greater notoriety on 

 the bare hillsides of Kintyre. 



Branching out thus, they spread over all Scotland, reaching some favored 

 Bpots in England, and within later years they have found their way to America 

 and Australia, where they are as much prized as upon their native heath. 



In the Antipodes, they have no rival, but in the United States they come 

 into competition with the " Pereherons." 



The inherent value of the Clydesdale lies in his reproducing powers. Bred 

 for generations among themselves, ofttimes bred in and in, they are most im- 

 pressive, and put upon the common mares of this continent, the produce is a 

 splendid farmer's horse, while those animals which have two or three crosse* 

 of this blood, are becoming exceedingly valuable for draying in towns, and, 

 owing to their special fitness for heavy work, at the present moment the demand 

 far exceeds the supply. 



The indications are, that the Clydesdales and Pereherons will gradually 

 become the work horses of America. 



Farmers who in olden times (and, we are sorry to say, even in these days), 

 mijrely scratch their land, have no use for either of those breeds, but as 

 agriculture advances, as science surely overcomes brute force, when the days 

 of deep ploughing and thorough cultivation become a necessity, then will the- 

 husbandman know the value of heavy, well-built horses. 



To attain this end, horses of the above breeds must be used. Each will 

 serve their end, but for wear and tear it is likely the Clydes will eventually 

 take the lead. 



It is true, the Clydesdales of the present day are not so hardy as they w^ere. 

 The system of feeding for show, carried to great excess by the Scotch breeders, 

 has given rise to diseases among pure-bred animals, which they do not happily 

 reproduce, and which has tended to make some of the best horses that ever 

 were bred, but indiifercnt stock -getters. 



Then little attention was paid to systematic breeding. The old way and 

 style which, no doubt, was conducted with great success as far as it went, did 

 not tend to produce so many good horses as we may expect under the skilful 

 mating of both well-bred and good-looking animals. 



