Report on the Agriculture of Sweden and Norway. 
197 
" The Gudbrandsdal horse has, in all probability, partly obtained its pre- 
-ont characteristics through crossing with Danish breeds. It is known that 
ibout the middle of the last century, and the period immediately succeeding, 
Danish stallions were introduced into Gudbrandsdal for stud purposes. 
" The Gudbrandsdal breed is larger than the Fjord horse, about 14 to 15 
iiands, sometimes rather bigger, and shows evidence of something having 
'■en done for its improvement, through a more careful selection of sires, as 
'/ell as through better treatment in rearing. 
" The head, as a rule, is more delicate, the ears larger, with more lively motion. 
riie judges of horses in the Gudbrandsdal district are particular about the horse 
liaving tlie right sort of ears. The eyes are large; the neck not exactly long, 
yet longer and not so stiff as in the Fjord horse ; the nape and the connection 
iietween the neck and the head is better in the Gudbrandsdal horse, and it * 
fi-equently has a very fine bearing. The back is rather straight ; the buttocks 
~ imetimes straight, but often somewhat slanting ; the chest is deep, and the 
ibs vaulted. The whole frame is proportionately somewhat longer than that 
1 the Fjord horse. The legs are strong and well placed. Altogether this 
breed is strongly built. 
" The colour is more often brown, with black tuft of hair on the head, 
lack mane and tail, and sometimes black feet. Chestnut, grey, and black 
nurses of this breed are also frequently to be met with." 
In Norway, Government stallions, for the use of the farmers 
)f the several districts, are placed on conveniently situated 
l.irms. I visited such a farm, between Christiania and Drammen, 
which was 500 feet above the sea-level. The stallion was of 
tlie Gudbrandsdal breed, and the covering fee was 135. 6rf. per 
niare, if they went to him, but if the horse went into the hills 
tlie fee was 11. 2s. Qd. per mare. This stallion had covered 
56 mares last season. The fees went to the Government, and 
the farmer was allowed Is. l^d. per day for the horse's keep. 
In Sweden there are three State establishments, similar to the 
French Haras, on a tolerably large scale. They are all under 
(the supervision and control of the manager of the chief establish-.. 
! ment at Stromsholm, in Westmanlands Ian, where 75 stallions, 
71 mares and fillies, and 2 geldings were kept at the time of the 
latest returns. At Flyinge, in Malmohus Ian (Southern Sweden), 
there were 34 stallions, 23 brood-mares, and 53 young horses. At 
jOttenby, in Oland, there were 61 old and young stallions, 105 
mares and fillies, and 8 geldings. There were also 7 stallions 
in Malmohus liln, and 5 in Chiistianstad, which had received 
Government premiums as stud animals. 
The farm horses of Sweden are much lighter than those 
generally seen on English occupations; and although occasionally 
oi considerable stature, they are frequently wanting in breadth 
and power. It is very rare to see more than two horses before a 
'plough, or any other implement used for the cultivation of the 
soil ; but, as already mentioned, the land is rarely if ever so 
strong as that of our stiff clays, while the severe frosts of the 
iong winter penetrate to a great depth, and considerably lighten 
