December, 1918 THE (lARDEN AND FIELD. nS» 1 



® Horse Breedii\g & 



II. W. Potts, I'rinoipal, Uawkis 

 burv Agricultural Colleg*. 



The possible advaiu^ of horse 

 bpoedinj; in Australia ajipears to- 

 day more promisinjf to stud- 

 masters and fanners than at anv 

 periwl of agricultural progress in 

 our history. The prevalence of 

 prosperous .seasons, and the rapid 

 alienation and occupation of lands 

 under closer settlements conditions, 

 provide factors inducing keener at- 

 tention to the horsv-breeding in- 

 dustry. Experienced breeders, re- 

 sponsive to the encoiiragine: prices 

 offered for well-bred draught stock, 

 are exhibiting admirable enteriirise. 

 in the purchase and importation of 

 stock from the finest studs in 

 Great Britain. Evidence of this is 

 apparent in the size and cjuality 

 of the stock exhibited of late vears 

 at the leadine shows and horse 

 parades. A distinct and welcome 

 change is being introduced in tyne 

 and conform.ation in Shire, Suffolk 

 Punch, and Clydesdale, tnore espe- 

 ciallv in the case of the last- 

 named. 



To the breeder of a bygone dav, 

 the modern Clvdesdale does not ap- 

 peal. The thick-legged, coarse-fea- 

 thered, sturdy animal, which was 

 once most favoured, is giving place 

 to a horse of finer conformation, 

 better bone, and freer action. T'ne 

 old conception that weight provid- 

 ed the main feature in an animal's 

 value, is being modified by the 

 more attractive and profitable 

 qualities of gameness and activity, 

 combined with a long sweeping 



stride, well llcxcd hocks, soundness 

 of leg and foot, and light, sparse 

 leather. 



Ne.w South Wales i)os.scs.ses man\A 

 notable advantages foT the horse 

 breeder in soil, climate, environ- 

 inent, and extensive areas. These 

 ensure a degree of stoutness, 

 vigour, and freedom' from disease 

 rarely manifested in the horse 

 elsewhere. It is a recognised axiom) 

 that a wann, dry climate, associ- 

 ated with a good sf^il and natural 

 pasturage s]iread over tmdulating 

 country, beneficially influence the 

 type and character of the horse 

 raised there. That has been de- 

 monstrated in Arabia, where the 

 finest hoTses in the world have 

 been bred. 



Horses bred on hilly country 

 grow muscular and hardy. They 

 acquire a quick sense of judgment, 

 develop smart and even action, 

 keen sight, and prow sound legs 

 with tough, well-formed hoofs. 



The successful breeding and man- 

 agement of .stock defends, in a 

 large measure, on the iudgment, 

 traininjr, foresight, and aptitude 

 brought to bear on the varied 

 phases of the industry by the far- 

 mer. The selection and mating 

 of parent stock to secure ^satisfac- 

 tory results is no mean task. Dar- 

 win states : — 



Not one man in a thousand has 

 accuracy of eve and iud<Tment suf- 

 ficient to become an eminent breed- 

 er. If gifted with tliesis qualities 

 and he studies his iudi-ment for 

 years, and devotes his lifetime to 



it with indomitable perseverance, 

 he will succml, and may make 

 great iini)ro\ emcnts. If he lacks 

 any of tlusv (pialities, he will a.s- 

 surcdly fail. 



This ex])ression of opinion by 

 stich a revered scientist was obvi- 

 ou.slv intended for those who .select 

 special lines of work in breeding, 

 — the class of breeders to whom 

 in endeavours to produce newi types 

 we may credit our valuable breeds 

 of .sheep and jiigs. The quotation 

 is advanced only to emphasise the 

 need for thought and observation 

 on the part of the fanner when 

 raising stock. 



The average careful breeder can 

 do mtich not only to maintain the 

 distinsrnishing features of the type 

 he wishes to reproduce, but by 

 shrewd .selection and the adoption 

 of rational methods of manage- 

 ment and feeding of the young 

 stock, 'to steadily effect improve- 

 ments and more neadv approach 

 the ideal standard of type. 



In all young countries such as 

 Australia, the demand for hor.ses 

 responds to the prevailing natural 

 conditions. Here we have un- 

 limited areas of land, thinlv popu- 

 lated, and eminently suitable for 

 agriculture, irrigatibn, and stock 

 raising. Land values beinq- low, 

 horses are more essential for the 

 successful conduct of the primary 

 industries. 



Many farmers advance the argu- 

 ment that the breedine- of draught 

 horses has seen its best dav, and 

 that a reaction is within si<rht in 

 favour of motor machi""!-rv. So far, 

 however, no reliable data can. be 

 shown to suggest that this can 

 occur in a countrv where feed and 

 water are plentiful, and no appre- 

 hension need be felt on this score. 

 The prices offered for reliable 

 draup-ht stock must, for a long 

 period to come, be sufficient induce- 

 ment. For several vears the de- 

 mand has bean exceT^tionqllv o-ood, 

 and the prpsence of the factors 

 operating- to create this healthy 

 market still exist, and in a more 

 intense deeree than ever. Many 

 breeders appear content to raise 

 a useful stamp of draught ho^^se, 

 of sfood constitution and free 

 action, which can be sold at three 

 vears old at a reasonable fieure. 

 Weight continues to attract atten- 

 tion, combined with quality and 

 conformation, are looked on with 

 favour. 



A horse endowed with couraoe, 

 activity and stoutness, and also 

 .showing depth of body, short coup- 

 ling, heavy muscle, with good bone, 



BAGOT, SHAKES, & LEWIS, Ltd. 



Stock and Station Ag-ents, Wool Brokers, Live Stock Salesmen 

 and Licensed Land Brokers. 



Managing Directors— Georg» W. Bagot, John Lewis. 

 Wool Managerg— G«org« Bowling. G«OTg« J«ff«ry. 



Land Manager— Alfred C. Catt. 

 Inspector of Branches— James Wilkinaon. 



Sales of fat and store stock, land, and farm clearing sales oonductied in 

 any part of the State. 



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Sellers of house and land property in city, suburbs, and country ars 

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Splendid estates in New Sooth Wales and Queensland for Sale. 



Head Office: 18 King William Street, Adelaide. 



