256 Tlie Agricultural Features of the Paris Exhibition. 
a profitable market, either for army or other purposes ; and that 
the remainder can hardlj be got rid of at any price. For what 
the Government select for the army, they pay about 46/. for 
heavy cavalry horses, 40/. for dragoons, and 36/. for light 
cavalry ; but the large number of unsaleable horses left on hand 
make the rearing of light horses less profitable than these prices 
would indicate. Farmers find a better market for a moderately 
heavy-draught horse, and consequently many prefer to use other 
than Government sires, or at rate to use only the heavier among 
these. 
There can be no doubt, however, that these efforts on the part 
of the Government have exercised a beneficial influence on the 
general stock of horses in France. What was seen at Paris this 
year clearly demonstrated that the French horses are, on the 
whole, far superior to the rest of its live stock — indeed, several 
degrees in advance of its general agriculture ; and it would 
seem that a very large share of the credit of this is due, directly 
or indirectly, to the liberal and systematic efforts of the Govern- 
ment. It may be mentioned that the Government give a large 
amount of money as prizes for horses at shows, and that State 
support is bestowed on sixteen schools, which are carried on for 
the training of horses for the saddle, and for teaching grooms 
and horsemen. While it may be that these laudable efforts on 
the part of the Government have done most to improve the 
breed of French horses, we record with pleasure that English 
blood has been a powerful instrument in its hands. Indeed, 
it is since the free use of English blood began — about forty 
years ago — that the improvement has mostly taken place. But 
to this we shall refer more fully when speaking of the different 
breeds. 
The export of horses from France in 1874 exceeded the 
imports by 13,500 ; and of these over 7000 came to England, 
which was more than one-half of the total number of horses of 
all kinds imported into Great Britain in that year. French 
horses are brought to this country mainly for army purposes, 
and for omnibus and light waggon work. The Perchergns are 
pre-eminently suited for the two latter varieties of work, and 
also for the heavier services in the army. For lighter army 
purposes recourse must be had to the ranks of the Anglo- 
Norman and Anglo-Arab, of which there is an extensive and 
valuable supply. 
Percheron Breed. — As being, perhaps, the most characteristic, 
and certainly one of the most valualjle, of the French breeds of 
horses, we shall first refer to the Percherons. Supposed to be of 
Arabian origin, this breed is sai<l to have been brought into 
France during the wars in the eighth century. It now presents 
