430 
THK COKNISH HOliSE. 
Karkeek’s remarks on the degeneracy of the Cornish horse, and the 
means proper to be taken for the restoration and improvement of the 
breed, as particularly worthy of notice. This is a question, in the 
discussion of which Mr. Karkeek’s habits and pursuits, joined to 
an excellent professional education, qualify him to take the lead ; 
and it is due to him to say, that, upon every fitting occasion, he 
applies himself to it with the most commendable zeal and per¬ 
severance. We hope—nay we are persuaded—that his exertions 
will eventually produce the desired effect; and that our land- 
owners and farmers will, under his judicious advice and direction, 
apply themselves as earnestly and as successfully to the improve¬ 
ment of their horses as of their other stock. Indeed, men of all 
classes should combine to promote this desirable object; for hun¬ 
dreds among us, who have no direct connexion with agriculture, 
feel almost daily the inconvenience and danger arising from the 
difficulty of procuring in this part of the country the staunch, safe, 
and useful horse which Mr. Karkeek wishes to see introduced.” 
In due time Mr. Karkeek’s health was proposed and drunk. 
He acknowledged the compliment paid to him in the following 
terms:— 
“ I feel greatly honoured by the high compliment you have paid 
me, and I assure you that no exertions on my part shall be want¬ 
ing to promote the interests and the objects of this Society. I have 
been highly gratified with our exhibition to-day, as well as with 
the improvements that have taken place within these few years. 
Our North Devon cattle are, many of them, equal to any that could 
be found in the district from which we have taken them, and 
those of the Durham breed are also excellent. Our sheep and 
swine, too, are mostly of a superior description. But I have found 
most satisfaction in the show of horses, which exceeded, in all re¬ 
spects, that which I have witnessed at any previous meeting. Still 
our horses are not altogether what I could wish. The Cornish 
horse is confessedly of a very ordinary character—perhaps inferior 
to that of most other counties: and feeling, as I do, a lively interest 
in what concerns the improvement of this most useful animal, I 
shall venture to state my opinion upon that subject to the meeting. 
One of the causes which have led to the deterioration of our horses 
is to be attributed to the farmers themselves. They shew great 
skill and judgment in breeding cattle and sheep, and even pigs, 
but the breeding of horses is a matter which they leave to chance. 
They breed from the most worthless of their mares, selling the 
3 ^oung and valuable ones, which, if kept for breeding, would prove 
a source of profit year after year. Another cause is the injudi¬ 
cious choice of stallions, and that, too, of those brought into the 
county expressly to improve the breed. I do not mean to question 
