THE WORKING AND BENEFIT OF MY PLAN 271 
questions as to the age, name, or pedigree of the horses, as 
this information will be found in detail set forth on this 
card against the number cerresponding with the number of 
the stall or box in which the animal referred to stands. 
Questions, of course, may be inadvertently asked, but 
may safely and simply be answered by referring the inquirer 
to the number on the card, where he will find all he wants to 
know. Before the company separates, the cards are given up, 
and kept in a place of safety until again needed. Of course, 
from time to time the cards require to be replaced by fresh 
ones, or alterations made in them by omissions or additions. 
By this method your visitors can with as equal facility com- 
ment upon or ask questions concerning the horses by number, 
as they could by name. “I like No. 1;”" “No. 10 is too 
big :” or “No. 20 is too light,” are remarks as easily made 
as “I like Jom Thumb,” “ The Giant is too big;” or “ The 
Dwarf is too little.” And whilst conversation would be just 
as pleasant as it is under the present system, the boys would 
learn nothing, or at least nothing worth transmission. They 
might tell the touts that No. 1 was in physic, No. 10 was lame, 
or No. 20 was well; but as neither they nor their tempters 
would have the slightest idea as to whether No.1 was The 
Giant, The Dwarf, or Tom Thumb, their lips might as well 
be sealed ; there would be no cash forthcoming for information 
so useless, and the tout’s occupation would be gone. 
Of course I admit that this plan would not be practicable 
with old horses (though it would be an undoubted success with 
yearlings and two-year-olds, or indeed with horses of any age 
that had not run) for they of course would be known, and 
secrecy would not be possible. But look at the immense 
advantage of having the first call of the market to your- 
self, if only for a single race—the Middle Park Plate, Derby, 
