to a Thoroughbred seems a bad procedure, except under extreme 

 restrictions and with careful selection. 



Yet such methods are still practised by some farmers and even 

 looked upon favorably by men who are closely connected with our 

 live stock breeding. 



It is most embarrassing to find that the General Manager of 

 the Standerton farm, speaking of Percherons and Clydesdales re- 

 marks that ''the introduction of these heavier breeds will be pro- 

 ductive of a great deal of good as bone and substance are very much 

 lacking in our brood mares "j'^^ while the General Secretary for 

 Agriculture remarks that ' ' one of the most noticeable developments 

 in connection with live stock is the interest taken- in Hackneys and 

 the heavier breed of horses like Oldenburgs, Clydesdales, Suffolks 

 and Percherons. This is w^elcomed, both on account of their value 

 for draft purposes and for providing heavy mares for mule breeding, 

 and for mating with Thoroughbreds in order to obtain the general 

 purpose horse which plays so i^rominent a part in all countries. 



Occasionally two or three horses are now seen employed in 

 ploughing or other work upon the land and there is little doubt the 

 use of heavy horses for farm work will become more general."^' 

 The occasional appearance of two or three heavy horses plowing 

 is certainly noticeable not so much for their excellency but for 

 their rareness, the number employed in this way are few and far 

 between in the Transvaal and much less in the Orange Free State= 

 The quick, hardy Cape bred mule is most commonly used and the 

 ox is as largely employed in these provinces. But granting that 

 the Clydesdale may do as a useful animal for heavj' draft purposes 

 he and his class will never do in cross-breeding with the Cape marc 

 or in the making of any breed that will do best for South African 

 conditions. There are several horse breeders in the Cape Colony 

 who breed heavy horses only and find a ready market in the great 

 towns; but in those districts where farming is most extensive the 

 mule and "general purpose" horse (a cross-bred Cape and Thor- 

 oughbred) are used exclusively; and although more are required 

 to do the work which less of the heavier breeds will do, yet they are 

 hardier and healthier, require less care, are quicker and more use- 

 ful all round. 



(52) Appendix XXXVI. Department of Agriculture Report and Appendices 



1913. 



(53) Annual Beport. Department of A ari culture Beport and Appendices 1913. 



106 



