114 HORSE-BREEDING FOR FARMERS CHAP. 
tage of a divided and undisciplined host. Hard 
times and the spread of co-operative principles have 
taught farmers in some districts that they must 
depend mainly upon themselves for any development 
of their interests. Co-operation has been applied 
with success in some parts of England to horse- 
breeding by the formation of stallion clubs, which 
have for their object the procuring of suitable sires 
to travel certain districts. This policy is most 
commendable, and is simple and practicable any- 
where where there are two or three enterprising men 
with the question at heart. In my own neighbour- 
hood good agricultural stallions have been provided 
in this way for some time past, and it may 
possibly be useful to describe the method, or one of 
the methods, of procedure. A few farmers meet, 
together, review the position, discuss the necessity of 
a first-rate sire and the means of procuring one, and 
the sources from whence funds can be obtained, and 
then call a meeting of farmers, landlords, agents, and 
others to consider their suggestions. It will be a 
poor district indeed that cannot find a few landed 
proprietors willing to subscribe their 45 or 410 
apiece to so excellent an object. If there is not 
enough subscribed at once, with a little organisation 
and going round with the hat amongst those inter- 
ested in horses, 4100 to 4200 is raised without 
great difficulty. The subscribers meet to decide on 
the class of horse that is most required, and there 
are generally two candidates—the Shire and the 
Clydesdale—which go to the poll. Supposing the 
Clydesdale to have got the majority of votes, a 
committee of two or three is appointed to go to 
