226 A HISTORY OF THE PEECHEKON HOESE 



recognize in a broad way the real merit of the breed 

 for draft purposes in other lands. They pushed Per- 

 cheron breeding on a large scale, and then it was that 

 great prosperity began in the Perche. 



Founding of the Stud Book. — The first volume of 

 the "Stud Book Percheron, public par la Societe 

 Hippique Percheronne, autorisee par le Gouvern- 

 ment" was issued at Nogent-le-Eotrou in 1883. under 

 the Honorary Presidency of M. le Prefet d'Eure-et- 

 Loir, the Honorary Vice-President of M. le Sous- 

 Prefet de Nogent-le-Eotrou, and the ex-officio 

 patronage of M. le Maire de Nogent-le-Rotrou. This 

 was the beginning of official registration of Perche- 

 ron horses in the home of the breed. The charter 

 membership included all the leading breeders of the 

 Perche, about 125 in number, one of the most emin- 

 ent of whom, M. Michel Fardouet, was elected to 

 the active presidency of the association. Louis Per- 

 riot and M. Moulin were chosen vice-presidents, and 

 M. BouUay-Chaumard was made secretary-treasurer. 

 A board of directors, including 17 of the best-known 

 supporters of Percheron interests, was created, 

 prominent among those serving in such capacity 

 being MM. Vinault, Sagot, Miard, Launay, Auguste 

 Tacheau, Caget, Gautier, Desire Ducoeurjoly, Eigot, 

 Goupil and Aveline fils. This movement had the 

 active support of leading patrons of the breed in 

 America, including Messrs. M. W. Dunham, J. H. 

 Sanders, founder of the American stud book, and 

 others. 



From the introduction to this initial volume of 



