448 A HISTORY OP THE PERCHERON HORSE 



in the movement. Although the mares were pur- 

 chased and the business was conducted in the name 

 of the Eichland County Horse Co. the mares were 

 in reality owned by the individual farmers. The 

 stallions were owned by the company. The mares 

 were purchased from various sources, but mainly 

 in southeastern Iowa. They were of the rugged, 

 drafty sort, but some were lacking in finish. While 

 the Richland County Horse Co. bred many Perche- 

 rons during this period, very few of the farmers gave 

 sufficient care and feed to their horses to obtain 

 the best results. The criticism generally lodged 

 against the colts bred in Richland county was that 

 they lacked size, frankly admitted to be due to 

 lack of feed. A number of browns, chestnuts and 

 bays were produced from this stock, which did not 

 add to its popularity. All in all, however, the 

 efforts of the farmers in the Richland County Horse 

 Co. resulted in popularizing Percherons in that part 

 of the state and induced more farmers to make 

 a start with better horses. 



The Hagemeister Stock Farm, C. D. Holt & Son 

 and Lewis Lewellen bred some good Percherons and 

 sold many to local buyers. None of these firms did 

 much in exhibiting at the leading shows, though 

 Lewellen has been more active in later years and 

 has made many exhibits of highly creditable Per- 

 cherons at the Wisconsin State Fair. Mr. Lewellen 

 also sold the foundation mares which P. F. Wick- 

 ham of South Dakota used in founding his stud. 

 The Lewellen mares have proved profitable in the 



