30 THE BREEDS OF LIVE-STOCK 
has reacted, although not until the breed had suffered as 
a consequence. The Percheron breeders submerged the 
old gray Percheron and gave preference to the more 
modern black in answer to American preference, and 
now that the demand of the draft-horse market in this 
country is said to place a premium on grays, the breeders 
will have to swing back if American preference is to be 
recognized. Uniformity of color and attractive markings 
are admitted by every one to be desired, and the Clydes- 
dale is the sufferer for bizarre markings. 
24. History in America.— The first importations 
were made into Canada in 1842, when Archibald Ward 
of Markham, Ontario, imported Grey Clyde, 78; three 
years later, R. Johnson, of Scarborough, Ontario, im- 
ported Sovereign, 181. Other importations were made 
into Canada in 1850-51-54. About twenty years later 
Clydesdales were imported to the United States, both 
directly from Scotland and from Canada as well. The 
largest importations were made after 1880, and in the 
following twelve years many thousands of both sexes were 
brought to America. They are now widely distributed, 
and generally known and used. 
25. Description. — Clydesdales (Fig. 4) have a kind, 
quiet disposition, good courage, and enough spirit. A 
weight of 1700 to 2000 pounds for stallions and 1500 to 
1800 pounds for mares, with an average height of 163 
hands for the former and 16 hands for the latter, may be 
regarded as the standard for mature, well-developed indi- 
viduals of this breed. The characteristics of the modern 
Clydesdale, in reference to color, vary somewhat, the most 
prevalent being bay, brown, black or occasionally chest- 
nut, with white markings on the forehead or face and 
below the knees and hocks. They vary more in charac- 
