vil THE SIRE 83 
and in 1899, if he has had patience to keep him so 
long, he may get 430 for him, being probably £10 
out of pocket, and only too glad to see him off the 
place. Contrast the position of this man with the 
one who has picked out a first-rate sire, gone to the 
expense of a 42 or even 43 fee, and perhaps 
another sovereign or two for travelling expenses to 
get his mare to the horse. From the first he is 
happy in the consciousness that his mare is in foal 
to such a horse; he at least knows that her chances 
of being in foal are greater than if she had been 
served by the old or over-done, under-kept horse 
that comes touting to his gate. His foal is his 
pride ; his affection for the mare is enhanced by the 
pecuniary sacrifice he has madé; he watches over 
the career of the youngster as if it were a child, and 
finds himself when bereaved of his four-year-old 
comforted and compensated by a price, it may be of 
480, it may be of £150. Many farmers are ready 
to pay a higher fee if they are given the opportunity 
of paying half the fee at the end of the season and 
the other half when the mare proves in foal A 
north-countryman, at least, shrinks with horror from 
having nothing to show for his éxpenditure. It is, 
therefore, well for owners of stallions to consent 
to this mode of payment when asked, though 
such a system adds much to the difficulty of col- 
lecting the money due—an operation not easy 
under any circumstances. If breeders understood 
how great is the expense and trouble of travelling a 
good horse kept in the highest condition throughout 
the season, attended by an experienced groom, they 
might be a little more punctual and considerate in 
