294 The Report of the Royal Commission on Horse-Breeding. 
nominations reserved to tenant-farmers. But it seems to me 
that, if we are to work up to our prime aim of breeding the best 
possible animal, this restriction is open to some reasonable 
objections. 14 
II. Stallions. 
I am pleased to say that the evidence goes to prove that the 
sound premium stallions are driving the unsound horses off the 
road ; so much so, that Mr. Dove says that in his district there 
are no longer enough stallions to serve the mares, the premium 
stallions having " boycotted " the horses which used to travel 
there, and driven them into districts where no competition of a 
sound kind need be feared. Whatever may be one's view of 
boycotting in Ireland, in horse-breeding — like exclusive dealing 
— it is absolutely commendable. The Duke of Beaufort told 
the Commission that a great many farmers around Badminton 
bring him animals to show or sell with twelve or fourteen crosses, 
of most absolutely sound blood, 15 thoroughbred stallions having 
been kept at Badminton for the last seventy or eighty years. 
The Duke adds : — "I have no doubt that this system of the Royal 
Commission will have the same effect all over the country." 16 
The evidence in favour of careful breeding from sound-winded 
stallions, and the disastrous results of breeding from roaring 
stallions, is attested over and over again by the unhesitating 
answers of the professional and practical authorities examined. 
Professor Brown, when pressed by the Minister for Agriculture, 
said that to go on as we were doing would amount to something 
like a national misfortune. 17 But we also have most satisfactory 
proof that the general movement which culminated in the 
appointment of the Commission is educating a party, and that 
the " folding of the hands " phase of an important branch of 
agricultural industry is overpast. 
Mr. Porter, of Kingsclere, in reply to a question whether the 
work of the Commission had led to more attention being given 
to the purchase of stallions at blood-stock sales, says : — " Since 
" See Questions 2172-3— 4—5— (>. Lord Lonsdale, I hear, is allowing " lilue 
Blood " to serve thirty marcs (in addition to the fifty he is required to serve) at 
the Commission fee. But this indulgence is limited to mares the property of 
tenant-farmers. This is a very real assistance to the tenant-farmers of the 
district. 
14 1708. {Chairman') " Is it your opinion that all the diseases in stallions 
and mares mentioned in the First .Schedule should be considered as hereditary?" 
(The Dultr of BeauforV) " I can hardly answer that question. I think roaring 
is very often hereditary, but I do not know about these other things. I never 
had any experience in the matter, and I do not know that I have ever bred 
from animals that were troubled with these other diseases." 
»« 1711. " 99. 
