22; THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 
ever, is of comparatively recent development. A revival 
of the interest in it was stimulated and developed with 
the establishment of government breeding studs in 1850. 
The Belgium government annually sets apart about 
$75,000 for the supervision and encouragement of draft- 
horse breeding in that 
country. By a system 
of prizes, and financial 
encouragement of indi- 
vidual breeders, as well 
as of the National 
Draft Horse Society of 
Belgium and the local 
fairs, it has had a very 
potent influence in the 
advancement of this 
breed. By every means, 
the government seeks to encourage the best efforts of in- 
dividuals, and to discourage the exportation of desirable 
animals. The city of Antwerp, in Belgium, is noted 
throughout the world as possessing many of the finest 
specimens of draft horses to be found, and these horses 
are without exception of the Belgian breed. 
15. History in America. — The history of this breed 
in America is comparatively brief. The earliest importa- 
tion was probably in 1886, when a few horses were im- 
ported into Illinois by A. G. Van Hoorebeke. They 
were at that time incorrectly termed ‘ Boulonnais.” 
Since 1887, large numbers of Belgian draft stallions have 
been imported into the United States and have been found 
exceedingly valuable for crossing on native grade draft 
mares. In 1888, E. Lefebure began importing and _pro- 
moting the interest of the breed in this country. One 
Fic. 3.— A Belgian stallion. 
