152 
THE CULTIVATOR 
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THE lOEfflM EIOTfcSE. 
The above engraving represents the Norman horse, 
called Louis Philipjpe, bred by Edward Harris Esq., 
of Mooerstown, N. J., and now owned by Mr. R. B,. 
Howland, of Union Springs, Cayuga County, N. Y. 
He was foaled in 3843. His sire and dam were se¬ 
lected in France by Mr. Harris in J839. 
The origin of the most esteemed variety of the 
Norman horse, is said by French writers to have been 
a cross, made several hundred years ago, between the 
celebrated Andalusian slock of Spain, and the old Nor¬ 
man draught horse. The Andalusian was derived from 
a cross of the Arabian or Barb, introduced into Spain 
by the Moors during their occupancy of that country 
from the eighth to the sixteenth centuries. No breed 
in Europe, is more fixed in its characters, or transmits 
its peculiar traits with more certainty, than the Norman. 
This is the variety of horse which is preferred in 
France for drawing the ponderous stage-eoaches called 
u diligences,” and travellers, on passing through the 
districts where they are used, frequently express their 
astonishment at the performances of these animals. 
We have been informed that each of these vehicles is 
calculated for carrying eighteen passengers at once, 
and that when thus loaded they are equal to five tons’ 
weight. Five horses (all stallions) are, with rude har¬ 
ness, attached to the clumsy and cumbrous carriage; 
and their regular rate of movement w T ith this enor¬ 
mous load, is seven miles an hour. The pace is gen¬ 
erally kept up over the various acclivities, but occasion¬ 
ally, when a very long hill is to be ascended, an addi¬ 
tional horse or two is added to the team. 
On some routes the loads are lighter, and the pace 
is there quickened to eight or nine, and in some instan¬ 
ces to ten miles an hour. 
Mr. Harris was induced to import this valuable 
breed of horses from having become acquainted witla 
their, qualities during a residence in France; and Mr„ 
Howland was also led to make the purchase of on® 
of this stock from having been convinced of their great 
superiority, for many purposes, by seeing them in their 
native country. 
Perhaps a better description of this breed cannot b© 
found than has been given by a writer in the twelfth 
volume of the Scottish Quarterly Journal of Agricul¬ 
ture. He says:-—“The horses of Normandy are a 
capital race for hard work and scanty fare. I have 
never seen such horses at the collar, under the dili¬ 
gence, the post-carriage, the cumbrous and very heavy 
voiture or cabriolet for one or two horses, or the farm 
cart. They are enduring and energetic beyond de¬ 
scription; w r ith their necks cat to the bone they flinch 
not; they put forth all their efforts at the voice of the 
brutal driver, or at the dreaded sound of the never- 
ceasing whip; they keep their condition when other 
horses would die of neglect and hard treatment. 
“A better cross for some of our horses cannot be im¬ 
agined than those of Normandy, provided they have not 
the ordinary failing of too much length from the hock 
downwards,* and a heavy head. It is very doubtful 
whether the infusion of much English blood among the 
Norman breed will be serviceable. I have seen many 
bad productions in consequence of this crossing,chiefly 
loss of weight and strength in those points where the 
draught horse should excel.” 
* Mr. Howland’s horse is by no means faulty “ from the hock 
downwards,” and we have been informed that his sire, Diligence, 
and the mares imported by Mr. Harris, have not this defect. Mr. 
Youalt’s observation in regard to the cross of the Norman hors© 
with English breeds, is worthy of notice. “ Tlie English roadster 
and light draught horse has not suffered by a mixture with ui@ 
Norman horse.” 
