7 34 INCREASE IN THE VALUE OF HORSES. 
ing of stock is the impression whieh is left on the female by 
the previous, and perhaps still more notably, by the first 
male with which she has been paired- 
cf Even amongst the domesticated animals, especially at 
periods of unusual excitement, the influence of the imagina- 
tion of the parents, particularly of the female, produces very 
notable results upon the progeny.” 
Extracts from British and Foreign Journals. 
INCREASE IN THE VALUE OE HORSES. 
We reproduce the following pertinent remarks relative to 
the increased value of horses and the present aspect of the 
dealers' trade. The extract is from a leading article in the 
Sheffield and Rotherham Independent. The writer is evidently 
practically acquainted with several causes which are in opera- 
tion to lead to the results on which be comments. 
(C The continued rise in the market value of all kinds of 
horses is somewhat remarkable. Horses of a certain class 
which within our recollection might be bought for from £18 
to £22 each, are now eagerly purchased at from £30 to £34. 
The heavy breed of horses, such as are used for carting and 
dray purposes, have gone up greatly in price ; and whereas a 
few years ago such animals were to be had at moderate 
figures, a powerful cart horse now of good quality, five or six 
years old, sound and steady in his work, meets with a ready 
sale at from £50 to £65. The value of hunters is almost out 
of calculation, so much depends on the character an animal 
has earned, and which, when good, raises the price to several 
hundred pounds or more. Young and partly untried horses 
of this class, four and five years old, with power and hunting- 
like style, fetch as much as £150. Carriage and match 
horses with what the dealer calls “ bloom and fashion/' sell 
for almost fabulous prices, and the country round is searched 
through by dealers or their agents, and valuable horses rarely 
reach a fair without already being the property of these men. 
Thus it is that private buyers even'at fairs have almost in- 
variably to buy from the dealer, and perhaps on the whole 
this is the better plan. If a good looking horse in a fair 
escape being bought by the dealer, who is generally a good 
judge, it is more than probable the animal is not worth the 
consideration of others; this applies more particularly to the 
better class of horses. 
