328 
MISCELLANEA. 
depends, in a great measure, the value of the agricultural and 
commercial horse, throughout France. 
There was a considerable diminution at the last fair in the 
gross number of colts exhibited ; but that had, evidently, reference 
to the inferior class alone—the more valuable and useful ones 
were increased, although not equal to the diminution of the others. 
This falling off in gross numbers was an advantage rather than 
an evil, and is certainly no proof of discouragement or distress on 
the part of the breeders. 
There could be no doubt that the quantity of colts that bid fair 
to become good and useful was increased ; there was an evident 
improvement in their general character, compared with the young- 
stock of any preceding year; and it could not be disputed, that 
that amelioration extended to all the points which the breeder 
and grazier deemed of importance. 
There was an evident change in the proceedings of the buyers > 
They eagerly sought, and paid a higher price for those of pure 
blood than for the indigenous breed once so valued, or for the 
half-bred. The fillies of the improved blood were particularly 
sought after; and their points in other respects being equal, they 
fetched a hundred francs per head more than the colts of the usual 
breed. This was the first time that so great prices had been 
obtained. 
In the afternoon of the fair, there was a distribution of prizes 
for the best breeding mares. This is a most excellent proceeding, 
and cannot fail of accelerating the march of improvement which 
has so evidently commenced. 
Another lesson for our breeders and for the Government! 
Horse Races in Siberia. 
A LETTER from Ouralsk gives an account of the races which 
were held there in October last. The course was eighteen wersts— 
about twelve English miles—a cruel distance, but worthy of that 
country. Every horse was to be equipped in the Cossack fashion, 
and ridden by his owner, without reference to weight. 
In the first race, thirteen riders darted into the arena, uttering 
the most savage cries. They were Cossacks from the Oural and 
the Ki rghises. The celebrated black horse of the Cossack 
Czugramica, who carried all the prizes in 1836, ran the eighteen 
wersts in twenty-seven minutes, fifteen seconds. He took the 
lead from the beginning, and none of the others had any chance. 
The prize was 5000 roubles in paper, equal to as many francs. 
The second prize was disputed by eight Cossacks of the Ou¬ 
ralsk, and won by the Sultan Kadanurmanom, whose horse ran 
the distance in thirty-two minutes and forty-five seconds. The 
