breeding for with Cape mares they bred true to the type and hun- 

 dreds of their progeny were found all over the Colony within half 

 a century and were known as "Cape Greys" during the end of the 

 last century. 



Individual efforts were made to improve the stocks of cattle, 

 horses and sheep ; the government lent aid to these endeavorers but 

 nothing officially was done. In 1800 the first ' ' Society for the en- 

 couragement of agriculture, arts and sciences was caiised to be es- 

 tablished; but beyond talking this society did nothing. "°'' The 

 society was, however, amply supplied with cattle, horses and slaves, 

 but somehow all turned out a failure. In 1804, another attempt 

 was made with greater success ; 25,3091/2 acres of government land 

 was alloted to the Board of Agriculture, which was for the first 

 time added to the government. A number of the best breeds of 

 cows were purchased and a pure bred bull from Europe as well as 

 another of the same breed, given as a present were added. A small 

 flock of the first Merino sheep at the Cape with a majority of rams 

 and some Hantam mares improved by crosses with imported Eng- 

 lish horses were also purchased and Mr. van Reyneveld who owned 

 a handsome stallion allowed the use of it gratis. Government Farms 

 — it would be more correct to call them "Stud Farms" — were 

 erected at several suitable places."^ 



In the Cape Gazette of 1823 we find that at such and such a 

 stud farm, English stallions stood at stud for 6 rix dollars per mare. 

 At the Grote Post farm, stood : 



Walton (4 yrs.) (Walton-Musidora) bred by H. R. H. Duke 

 of York. 



Vanguard (6 yrs.) (Haphazard) bred by Duke of Grafton. 

 Vanguard won the King's Plate at Winchester, 1820, beating Eu- 

 phrates and Merryweather, both great winners. 



The records of the Cape Colony for the year 1823 remarks that 

 "Mr. van Reenen the former proprietor of the estates at the Han- 

 tam, had under the Dutch government paid much attention to his 

 breed of horses and had increased their number as well as their 

 value." He sold to Mr. Louw 10 mares for £1126.15, and 1100 

 sheep for £563.8. 



The van Reenen Bros, are frequently met with in writings and 



(60) George McCall Theal "History of South Africa after 1795." Vol- I. 



(61) Records of the Cape Colony. Vol. XV. 



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