FIRST-HAND BITS OF STABLE LORE 



these various ends as by taking up road-coaching 

 actively ; not as a fad, but as a live issue, not in 

 a desultory manner for a few weeks, but resolutely 

 and for extended periods, — for our lovely springs, 

 glorious summers, and superb autumns are equalled 

 as a whole hardly anywhere on earth, and should 

 all be liberally utilized. 



To be sure, at first, expenses will exceed re- 

 ceipts, but knowledge comes quickly, and with 

 the personal attention all undertakings demand 

 and should receive, there is no need for heavy 

 outlay of any sort; while increasing reputation 

 for owning good and well-mannered horse-flesh 

 will meet its due reward in frequent private or 

 public sales, insuring a handsome percentage of 

 profit upon the investment. The trouble with 

 most of these undertakings has been that horses 

 were extravagantly bought, badly managed, 

 improperly handled, and speedily used up, 

 while at the annual sale the anticipated huge 

 profits failed to materialize in consequence. 

 The amateur owner's " geese are all swans " 

 generally, and he scorns the " nimble nine- 

 pence " of profit which he should welcome with 

 eagerness. 



Perhaps a few hints of ways and means to in- 

 236 



