THE FARMER AS A HORSE BREEDER.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2569, 1 July 1882, Page 4

THE FARMER AS A HORSE BREEDER.

Before railroads had spread their arms so generally over the country, horse breeding and marketing was a very different thing from now. Cities required but few compared to what they norr übb booause of a soant city population ; and less traffic hauling to and from freight and passenger depots. Horses then were a souroe of traffic and sale about home, and as freight and passengers wore mainly across the country by horsa teams, and a* this work was considered well enough when performed by anything that could haul a load through the mud, there waa le<3 attention paid to breeding horuea that were competent to fill the positions in which thoy aro placed in these days. Leavi; g street oar service out of tho question, there is not much demand in market for tho cl'.bs cf hcrsea that passed current in the days referred to.

The f aimer can hardly afford to breed mero plujjn limply because; ha can do his farm work with these. The demand for good homes is eo urgent, and the facilities for shipping from any part of the country bo excellent, thr.t there are nlways willing bnyars for the kinds that bring good prioos in the loading markets. But as a rule, there are no men outlookinj; for mere pings ; at any rate, not for shipment. The enterprise of importer)! and breeders now leaves no exouse for continuing the us-e of neighborhood stallions, and wo hope the better senoe of farmers has taught the utter folly of breading to suob as are put to service at fire dollars the season. The.Be raroly have either size or merit to recommend them. The introduction of Glydes and Normanß has resulted in the production of colta of fine size, ersn from the most ordinary marep. Many farmers have been tempted to keep snoh young stock entire, and though having inherited pretty fair looks and good size from a vrsll bred sire, the probabitieo of being able to import a rerisonr.ble portion of the merit drawn from one parent aro slim indeed. Nothing short of u nioking of good blood, similar in kind, on the part of both parents can be relied upon for breeding purposes. If sire and dam bo very dissimilar, then there need be no expectation of uniformity in tbe progeny. One would think this so self evident aa an inflexible principle that every farmer in tbe country should always have the faot in mind and require unquestionable ovideoco, before brooding to a stallion, that he possesses individual merit of the highest typo, and that ho has a good and dear title to this, haying di-awn it from a fountain implanted deep down in the parentage on both sides, and extending far back into remote lit cage. One of tho greatest mistakes made in breeding ia to patronise a stallion that is fed high and exerciaed but little. The fashion or travelling a horse from one stand to another several miles apart, affords fair oxnrciee, on a walk. The exereise, however, should be mors active than this. The walk should bo alternated with a tharp trot, even though it takes off a few pounds of flesh, and gives the groom some sharp rubbing to do. Horses, however, that aro not moved from plaoo to place, are soft and inert in the highest degree, and in no sanse fit to be used as sires. The farmer is not wise who takes custom to a horee so kept, He should refuse his patronage unbrs made satisfied that abundant exercise is given at leaßt twice daily. If any <j.'iibi; exists on this point, a sharp trot for eighty rods and back will settle this question, K.r.d fcny owner who will refuse to show his horse und:r quiok motion is not deserving of your custom.