Breedinf/ Horses. 
271 
At the commencement of the new year all those horses re- 
maining in stock were re-entered by my own hand in a new book, 
which stated in whose possession they were to be found, with 
every importfint particular attached to them for further obser- 
vation. 
As the list always contained several hundred horses, a great 
mass of evidence grew out of it, which often forced upon my 
notice views which I had by no means anticipated. Such views, 
properly grouped and recorded, confirmed by subsequent obser- 
vation, may be considered as the leoritimate laws for the breed- 
ing and management of horses, based upon what our neighbours 
call the logic of facts. And here I will mention one case in 
particular as to the comparative duration of life of horses. 
Apart from accidental circumstances, they live longer in the 
same kind of work, in proportion as they are employed at a pace 
below what they are capable of going. " Pace kills," is an old 
proverb, and is equally true as it is old. The cart-horse working 
in a cart is old at 16, and dies out generally at about 20 years of 
age. The coach-horse, doing the same work, is old at 20, and 
finishes his career at about 25. The race-horse working at the- 
same pace will work till 30 and sometimes till 35 years old. 
Each class must be understood to draw weights in proportion to 
the weight of the horses. I note these circumstances because L 
consider, first, that the value of my opinions depends upon 
their origin ; next, because I hope that others may be in- 
duced to follow up the same system of observation ; and lastlv, 
to give an instance showing how every careful record of facts- 
becomes a substantial contribution towards the advancement of 
knowledge. 
If by my advocacy of this cause I should produce such a 
change in the system of breeding horses as to recover the size 
and substance of the thorough-bred horses of the last century, I 
shall have the pleasure of feeling I have done my country im-^ 
portant service. 
XVTII. — On the Reclaiming of Waste Lands as instanced in Wich- 
loood Forest. By C. Belcuer. 
Prize Essay. 
The term "Waste" is sufficient to arouse the attention of every 
thoughtful person. In manufactures and arts, matter which for 
ages had been considered worse than worthless, has, by the 
ingenuity of man, been turned to useful purposes, and in many 
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