IMPROVEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL HORSES. 
695 
and other varieties several modifications have arisen^ accord¬ 
ing as the fancy of the breeder led him to prefer strength or 
fleetness. As an agricultural horse, he is only adapted for 
the lightest soils, but, from the readiness with which crosses 
may be effected, we shall give the animal the first position 
among light draught horses, from his possessing in an 
eminent degree the requisite speed. The prevailing colour 
of the Cleveland is bay, and those with black legs arc always 
preferred. These animals are principally bred in the North, 
and from thence the dealers in various parts of the country 
obtain their supplies, purchasing four-year-old colts for the 
purpose of breaking and using in harness. The animals 
condemned to draught-w'ork are, of course, those of inferior 
qualifications as to age, soundness, or appearance. Usually, 
the strongest carriage-horses, after a considerable period of 
service, finish their career in the cart or on the farm, whilst 
the lightest kinds supply street-vans and carriers’ carts. 
The Clydesdale may be placed intermediately between the 
heaviest and lightest draught-horses, combining, as he does, 
the very valuable qualities of power and free action. The 
purest specimens are distinguished by a body longer in pro¬ 
portion than that of the heavier English and Suffolk horse, 
legs free from long hair, fine coats, and great muscular 
development. Taking them as a class, their size is con¬ 
siderable ; indeed, a small Clydesdale is unknown. The 
breed is generally employed, as we should expect it to be, 
on account of its important qualifications adapting it to a 
great variety of agricultural work. The colour is most com¬ 
monly black, although the gray is frequently met with. The 
hind quarters have the peculiar droop characteristic of the 
Flemish horse and his crosses. 
Although we have spoken of the several breeds under the 
names indicative of certain localities, it will not be concluded 
that the animals are exclusively cultivated in those districts. 
Practical men are well aware that large supplies come from 
Lincolnshire, Yorkshire, Norfolk, and other parts, without 
special reference to breed or system of crossing. A farmer 
having a good colt, no matter what his pedigree, is tolerably 
certain of a market for him at the proper time and place. At 
the annual llugby Fair, in November, numbers of two-years 
old colts are purchased by farmers and landowners in the 
West of England, and taken to the grazing districts to be 
fed with the farm stock until of an age to be worked on the 
farm, or disposed of for that purpose. Under this system, 
the distinctive features of breeds are naturallv merged one 
into the other; and so long as the agriculturalist obtains the 
