578 = 512 
Practical Agriculture. 
Somersetshire, again, boasts of a valuable breed of ponies, 
the " Exmoors ;" and the Welsh ponies, too, are bred in large 
numbers on their native mountains. Some of the greatest 
fairs for riding and carriage-horses are at Horncastle ; Lincoln ; 
Howden and Northallerton, in Yorkshire; Brough Hill, in 
Westmoreland ; Newcastle-on-Tjne ; and Rugeley, in Stafford- 
shire. 
But, in spite of the growing demand and increasing prices 
for first-class, handsome, and stylish horses, there has been a 
decline in their production, and the importance of the subject 
lately commanded an inquiry by Parliament. Apart from the 
scarcity of valuable and sound stud-stallions, a difficulty is 
that the tedious and risky character of nag-horse-breeding rendei 
it a special or fancy rather than profit-making department ol 
agricultural business. 
More attention, however, is given by farmers to the improve- 
ment of draught-horses for light and heavy work, not only foi 
the tillage and hauling of the farm but for labour on the road 
— including the hundreds of thousands of horses, from stron^ 
coachers to massive drays, which are purchased for slow am 
fast draught-work in vans, drays, waggons, and vehicles of al 
kinds, both in town and country. 
Siiffolks. Suffolk Cart-horses. — One of the few really distinctive breed 
of agricultural horses is the Suffolk Punch, now almost inva * 
ably of a chestnut colour, though occasionally sorrel or bay 
of medium size, standing 15 to 16 hands high ; distinguishw 
for compactness of form, roundness of barrel, with legs shorl 
clean, and peculiarly free from hair. They are active steppers 
and steady in pulling heavy loads ; their strength of constitutio 
enables them to labour in the collar for longer periods witho 
food than can probably be endured by other breeds : and th 
have a special aptitude for getting quickly into condition. Bi 
they are said to be more liable to strains of the sinews and tb 
joints than most other breeds. Mr. Manfred Biddell, of Pla 
ford, Ipswich, is the authority for the following details as to t 
Points. points for a good Suffolk. Colour: chestnut golden, or red hi 
preferred ; free from white on the legs, but a white star or shi' 
on the face rather approved than objected to. A few white i 
silver hairs, well blended with chestnut on the back and hini 
quarters, belong to a certain strain of the breed, and have n 
been objected to ; but these must be in too small quantities 
be confounded with a roan colour. Height: varying from 
hands 3 inches to 16 hands 2 inches, on short'' flat tegs, wi 
short strong pasterns, free from much long hair ; hard cle; 
legs, with bone of compact quality, being desired rather th; 
large, soft legs. The shoulders very long, laying rather forwa 
