136 THE HORSE, ASS, AND MULE 



exhibits come from all over Belgium, the most important ones in 

 recent years have come from Brabant and Hainaut and the prov- 

 inces of Liege and Namur. Numerous agricultural associations 

 also hold exhibitions in Belgium, at which local horses are shown. 

 The history of the Belgian Draft horse in America is compara- 

 tively brief. Dr. A. G. Van Hoorebeke of Monmouth, Illinois, 

 brought horses to this country from Belgium as early as 1866, 



Fig. 50. Babette. A typical Belgian mare. Photograph from A. Van Schelle, 

 Special Commissioner of Agriculture from Belgium to the Louisiana Pur- 

 chase Exposition, 1904 



when they were designated as Boulonnais. The incorrect use of 

 this word, however, was recognized after a few years, when the 

 correct title of Belgian was given. Massion & Son of Mintonk, 

 Illinois, were also early importers. In 1858 Mr. E. Lefebure 

 came to America from Belgium and settled in Iowa, and from 

 1888 till his death in 1905 he was one of the leading promoters 

 of the breed in this country. 



Exhibitions of Belgians in the United States are comparatively 

 recent. Small exhibits have attracted attention at the Chicago 



