50 
IMPROVEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL HORSES. 
reatly belonging to no country or breed, rough, ungainly, 
sluggish; in fact, the original of Dr. Johnsords definition. 
With so large a prevalence of the mixed breeds, it would 
be almost a hopeless task to attempt the cultivation of any 
pure race; nor, in reference to draught horses, is it a matter 
of much importance so long as intermixture is regulated by 
jud gment. The system of indiscriminate crossing without 
any reference to results is the one which we condemn, and 
its abandonment is essential to a radical improvement in the 
cart-horses of our country. Unfortunately the demand for 
low-priced horses fosters this reckless system of breeding, 
continued irrespective of the injurious results which are cer¬ 
tain to follow. It is much to be lamented that so short¬ 
sighted a policy should find defenders, as it secures no real 
advantage even to those for whose especial benefit it is 
adopted. Under the most careful management, there would 
doubtless be a sufficient number of animals of moderate 
value for all practical purposes. Indeed, it must be recol¬ 
lected that the price is regulated in a great measure by the 
supply; and that, presuming the number of animals pro¬ 
duced under proper selections to be equal to the demand, as 
would in all probability be the case, the prices would not be 
materially augmented, taking the whole country through. 
In fact, the only real difference would be, that we should in 
time possess an abundance of good animals instead of an 
excess of bad ones. 
One great step towards permanent improvement has been 
taken by our various Agricultural Societies in offering prizes 
for agricultural horses, not only stallions, but also mares with 
foals, and yearling colts. Candour, however, compels us to 
add, that the good intentions of the donors are in a great 
degree frustrated by the uniform mediocrity of exhibited 
stock. Among hunters and hacks it has been our fortune 
to notice animals, particularly two-year old colts, that gave 
promise of strength, endurance, and speed combined, and 
whose growth and conformation were all that could be 
desired; but among agricultural horses we have generally 
found much to complain of, and save in isolated cases little 
to applaud. 
Should breeders, in the future, think the recommendations 
in this paper of sufficient importance to receive their con¬ 
siderate attention—should they, abandoning preconceived 
views, discuss the subject upon a scientific basis—we should 
soon have to record a manifest improvement in the breed of 
draught horses. 
o 
If our reasonings upon the subject of breeding should 
