I* l ll> 
 
 > I !] I 1 (1 
 
 THE COMPANY 
 
 OF TKU 
 
 "HARAS NATIOfJAL" 
 
 IMPORTERS AND BREEDERS OF 
 
 irM Goaci Percneroii & 
 
 OFFKE: 30 ST. JAMES STREET, MONTRBM., CANADA. 
 
 STOCK FARM AND S IVVBLES, GUTRElMONT. 
 
 ^HREft MILES XORTH OP THE CITY.) 
 
 ■■ k 
 
 CATALOGUE FOR 1889-90. 
 
 A08pciated wit]i The P^rcheron and ArlR^an Importing Horse Co., 
 i '{The Pleiir dg Lys Horfie Ranch, Buflgato Gap, .Dakota, U. S. ; 
 The NewrTMedavy ^)e Fiartti, FfeAiont, Ne^^iiska, 
 U. S.); Xnd the Soci^t^ Hippiqned'Expor- 
 , tation et d'Elevage, Paris, Fuancp. 
 
 V ,; 1^ 
 
 4 MONTERAL: 
 PRINTED BY THE GAZETTE PRINTING COMPANY. 
 
 -«— 4. 
 
 
 *^*H^*^ 
 
 sM- 
 
 
 v% 
 
yi^sH 
 
 PUKCHA8ING A STALLION 
 
 On several oocasioi^s reference has bjeen made in our corre^poii- '> 
 dence to the ^lan ioflowed in some neightforhoods to Enable farmers 
 to secu|-e the use of a good stallion at comparatively small risk, by . 
 joining in the purchasiJ. A case in point is cited in the NorthwesttrU 
 
 /arw^ a^ follows :— _ 
 
 i' We know of a^litfighborhood *n North Dkkot^ where, severajl | 
 farmer? propose to unite ih the purchase of a ipJraught stallion. Tlyb 
 stf^liori is already o^n^4 i** ^^^ neighborhood and h^ get for the last 
 two years havfe proven him a good one. ' A stock company Will be 
 Organized Wi^ a capital of |2|5oo (the original cost of the horse 5 . 
 shares $i!<% eatli^ *|^e number pf' stockholders will bfe liniited:'t|> 
 twenty persoiis ,W&& will take one share edjch. When not convenientt , | 
 to raise ^e caih,tHe; present oWrier wha is al^ to be a member (|f 
 the compatiy ■ will take secured notes bearing «ji^ht per, cent, interest 
 The con^pjmy wilt pay for the care and keep of the horse .which w|ll . 
 cost for man and his board for three months (the season), say $120, 
 arid for the keep of fhe Itorse^ 50 c ts,per day during the year-riaboiit 
 i8b$, or 300 in .ail. -Members (^f the c6mpany will p4y %^ service for 
 each mare, for the season. If the; number is npt top greats outside ser- 
 vice will be givenat the same ratfe for cash. Service wiH be limited to 
 one hundred mares. At the close of the'sea*)n the business will be , 
 figured up,-auid after setting aside a, reasonable amount as a sin^icigi 
 fund, a dividend will be declared in which all stockholders will share 
 
 alikd. HeR^IiS A SYSXEM op BRACTlCAL;C0-OPERATiai* WORTHY OF 
 ADOPTION ilf HUNEfREDS 0* NEIOHfibRilOOlis.; It SECSJRES A f iRST- 
 sCLASS HORSE Al" SMALL lUDJVIPVAL COS# jLNfD AT ONCE CREAff'ES AA I , 
 
 C0MM<w iNTERiBSt IN iMPRovEOvS-jocK, It ^ iiiay be sct d<>wn as a J 
 fact that nei§hb6*hood« where t^iis spirit prevails^ wiU, b^foremany | 
 years, bfecome Well known horse cetftre*,^*heregGbda|ttitoai;l8 will ' 
 be sought at pi^Uig pricey." ,, f t f \ ' r 
 
 To Anybody intebtkiifg to build upsUc-. a cbrnpany We >^ill fumislh 
 the forms of shart&'iii blanks, tl^ by^iaiws and 'rules, and give ady 
 informatiof^ required.*; . Vi /^ ^ . 
 
 ^i^_^-.. 
 
 :£-w& i'.^= 
 
 W^^M^'i, 
 
 
 I. n '. »■ .:'!■ 
 
 ••-/ 
 
THE COMPANY(2 75^.^ 
 
 OF THE 
 
 "HARAS NATIONAL" 
 
 IMPORTERS AND BREEDERS OF 
 
 RenGt Goacii, PerGHeron & lialiiaii noises. 
 
 OFFICE : 30 ST. JAMES STREET, MONTREAL, CANADA. 
 
 STOCK FARM AND STABLES, OUTREMONT. 
 
 (three miles north op the city.) 
 
 CATALOGUE FOR 1889-00. 
 
 Associated with The Percheron and Arabian Importing Horse Co., etc."; 
 
 (The Fleur de Lj's Horse Ranch, Buffalo Gap, Dakota, U. S. ; 
 
 The New-Medavy Sale Farm, Fremont, Nebraska, 
 
 U. S.) ; And the Soci^t^ Hippique d'Expor- 
 
 tation et d'Elevage, Paris, France- 
 
 « k t . 
 
 • • 
 
 
 » V < • . • a , 
 
 -•v » -f- — rr • • 
 
 • ' . . ... . •, 
 
 MONTREAL : 
 PRINTED BY THE GAZETTE PRINTING COMPANY, 
 
 1889 
 
lOi 
 
 ifa 
 
 
 I 
 
 1 »< ( I. • • • ■ • • • 
 
 ^ ..i •" 
 
 <." I 
 
THE " HARAS NATIONAL." 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Permit me to call your attention and that of the 
 directors and members of your Agricultural Society 
 to the advantages resulting from the establishment of 
 the *' Haras National " Company. This Company pro- 
 pose to continue the importation and sale of French 
 horses ; to hire them out for the season to agricultural 
 societies, and to individuals who require them ; and to 
 inaugurate in this Country the " Haras," as it is under- 
 stcod in France, by the breeding of select races. 
 
 The Company propose to import Percherons of 
 heavy build, and also light weights or roadsters ; large 
 Norman carriage horses, a few Arabs and some Per- 
 cheron brood mares. 
 
 The old and excellent race known as the Canadian 
 horse w 11 not be forgotten Efforts will be made to 
 discover such samples of it as may be scattered 
 through the Country, in order, by careful breeding, to 
 restore it to its ancient footing. A stud-book will also 
 be opened for that highly prized race. 
 
 56104 
 
IMPORTS AND SALES. 
 
 Through the relations which they have established 
 with those locMities in France, where the breeding of 
 hiwh-class horses has been made a speciality, as well 
 as through the position and experience of its share- 
 holders in that Country, the Company will be able to 
 make purchases on most favorable conditions. 
 
 The French shareholders, of whom the Baron E. de 
 Mandat-Grancey is President, comprise some of the 
 most eminent members of the Great French Society 
 of Agriculturists know as " La Societe des Agricul- 
 teurs de France." Their knowledg-e of region of La 
 Perche and of the other districts where horse-breedinor 
 is carried on is of the most through character. They 
 belong moreover, to that select circle from which the 
 afore- mentioned Society chooses its judges for those 
 far-famed equine competitions that take place from 
 time to time in France There could not, therefore, 
 be more desirable connoisseurs in horseflesh. 
 
 It is the Company's intention to import only such 
 animals as are of definitely ascertained pedigree, and, 
 in every instance, a careful examination by veterinary 
 surgeons will be conducted at the iate of purchase. 
 
 The Company's Norman horses are obtained, as 
 much as possible, from the state Haras. The two 
 last specimens were procured from that of Le Pin. 
 
 Without being carried away by the rage for huge 
 animals (which has seized our American neighbors 
 especially), the Company of the " Haras National," 
 aiming at the improvement, with as little delay as 
 possible, of the country's breeds, by raising it to 
 
the desired proportions, and at the same time pre- 
 serving the gait, speed and others merits, deem it 
 proper to make their imports consist mostly of Per- 
 cherons, of at least 1,500 lbs., and good trotters 
 
 Nevertheless, they will also make it their business 
 to import for such as desire them horses of the same 
 breed of I800 lbs. or even more. The Company 
 would, however, take the liberty of reminding their 
 customers that for the snow-deep roads of our long 
 winters, and for general use, the 1500 lbs. horses are 
 to be preferred. 
 
 If our native mares were, as a rule, heavier than 
 they are, even a less weight would satisfy all needs. 
 But, as things are, it would require a stallion of 1500 
 lbs. for the progeny to be easily disposed of. 
 
 The Company will import a few Breton horses of 
 the small Percheron kind. They would, at the same 
 time, remark that the Percheron breed, whose purity 
 has been established by the stud-books, and which 
 is know to have been kept free from all admixture of 
 blood, is naturally the best fitted to transmit the racial 
 characteristics with fidelity. It is needless to insist 
 on the qualities of the Percheron as a roadster. It is 
 indeed, the finest race in the world, and for general 
 purposes just the horse that our farmers need. For 
 that breed came from the best of all progenitors, the 
 Arab, enlarged by inter-breeding with the finest 
 Norman mares. The race has been known in France 
 from time immemorial, and successive governments 
 have assumed the duty of preserving and improving, 
 by scrupulous care, all its original good qualities. It 
 is a hardy breed, docile, good-tempered, a quick tra- 
 veller, capable of taking large loads to market and 
 
6 
 
 returning briskly over no matter what road. It is 
 also a capital post-horse, the horse of the Paris dili- 
 gence and omnibus, that all the world admires. It is 
 easy to raise, no delicacy of constitution standing in 
 the way, and for that reason it is much sought after 
 in the American market. 
 
 Some twenty years ago, as may be recalled, a few 
 Percherons were introduced into this Province. At 
 first their reputation amongst us did not come up to 
 the standard of their fame in Europe. Perhaps too 
 much was expected of them But now, when the 
 merits of their descendants have been so thoroughly 
 tested, our farmers bitterly regret not having retained 
 them in their counties. Their progeny has been 
 really remarkable, large, strong, active, and selling 
 at figures rarely under $150 or $200, and it is that 
 past experience of our province, which has induced 
 and justified us in renewing the experiment. 
 
 Tne Norman horse, a result of judicious crossing 
 of the Arab, of the pure English and of the Norman 
 mare, furnishes elegant carriage horses, more hardy 
 than the thoroughbred, quite as handsome, though 
 not so elegant, stronger, if less swift, more docile, 
 if less spirited, and, altogether, a most serviceable 
 animal. Of the Norman type the Company have 
 at this moment an admirable example in the four year 
 old stallion, " Holopherne." 
 
 The Company purpose importing two or three Arab 
 Stallions during the present year. Strange to say, 
 this race has not yet come to be appreciated amongst 
 V us as it is elsewhere and as it really deserves. Still 
 there is a demand for Arabs on the part of those who 
 raise the finer breeds. As is well known, the Arab is 
 
the source of all the generous strains of blood, and, 
 having been formed and developed by nomad tribes 
 of the desert, he is par excellence, the horse of stamina 
 and iron endurance. 
 
 The Company will inaugurate their undertaking 
 by judicious breeding. A selection of mares will first 
 be made. This year, as already intimated, they wil 
 import two or three Percheron mares, thus adding to 
 the number of brood mares already in the Province. 
 
 All the mares that were covered by *' Joly " last 
 summer will foal this year. It has just been ascer- 
 tained that the Percheron mare, " Venus," belonging 
 to the Deaf- Mute institution at Outremont, lately 
 dropped a fine filly, whose black coat bears welcome 
 witness to its sire. 
 
 The Company would take the present opportunity 
 of requesting those who may have knowledge of any 
 good mares and stallions of the old Canadian breed to 
 apprize them of the whereabouts of these animals. 
 The task to which the Company are bending their 
 energies, of renewing as far as possible, the old Cana- 
 dian breed of horses, will doubdess be a work of time. 
 It will, however, tend to assure the pubiic that our 
 efforts are in the right direction and are worthy of 
 
 encouragement. 
 
 So much on the head of imports and sales. 
 
 It remains to add that the conditions accorded to 
 buyers will be extremely liberal, giving them every 
 opportunity and ample time to procure the money for 
 their payments. In fact, by reason of their large con- 
 signments and of the considerations already mentioned, 
 they are in a position to sell more cheaply than any 
 other Company, firm or individual. 
 
It is also especially noteworthy that THE COM- 
 PANY GUARANTEE THEIR STALLIONS as 
 breeders and free from hereditary defects. The pedi- 
 gree taken from the stud-book, accompanies each horse. 
 
HIRING OUT. 
 
 The Company will hire out their horses through 
 out the Province to Agricultural Societies and to 
 individuals. Henceforth these societies may procure 
 a good stallion for the season, thus excepting the 
 risks and expenses, consequent on the possession of 
 a horse. Let our farmers make the calculation for 
 themselves, and they will find that it is more profitable 
 to expend in hire even the third of the horse's value 
 than to purchase a stallion and thus incur the ordinary 
 expenses and risks, not to speak of the dangers of 
 sickness, death or accident. The system of hiring out 
 assures to societies the advantage of being able to 
 change their sire every year so as to satisfy all tastes 
 in turn, having a draught horse this year, a carriage 
 horse the next, or, if they like, resuming the use of 
 the animal that has already given satisfaction. In the 
 fall the horses return to the Company's stables and 
 are there suitably looked after so as to be ready for 
 the following season 
 
 Besides, how many societies, though convinced by 
 the experience of other counties (such, for instance, as 
 Huntington and Chateauguayj, would like to pur- 
 chase stallions of the best breeds, and yet have not 
 the means! The Company's aim is to come to the 
 help of just such societies, where counties or parishes 
 will have all the benefits of a choice stallion. 
 
 Agricultural Societies, even with the Government 
 
 r?^^ 
 
 ,vV, 
 
10 
 
 grant are but seldom in a position to purchase a stal- 
 lion. To make such a purchase, they must find a capital 
 of from $1500 to $2000 for a serviceable imported 
 horse. Now, by means of the hiring-out system, 
 which they are now asked to consider, they can always 
 have a good stallion in their county without being 
 obliged to procure these large sums. 
 
 Let it be supposed that a society hires a horse for 
 the sum of $500 for the season, suitable for a hundred ' 
 services; by giving a part of its subsidy, it will pay, 
 let us say, the half, $250, and then for $2.50 per mare,, 
 a hundred of its members may have the benefit of the 
 stallion. In all cases it will, of course, be necessary 
 that the stipulated price be paid or guaranteed in 
 advance, the number of services fixed and the stal- 
 lions always in charge of the servants of the Company. 
 
 Such, in few words, is what the Company will 
 undertake. Such are their aims, to attain which 
 the Company will be found wanting neither in means 
 nor in goodwill. They flatter themselves, moreover, 
 that the public will second their efforts to procure it 
 the advantages that have been so long desired. 
 
 Simple individuals by combining tDgether, thus 
 attempt to accomplish an object which in Canada the 
 various Governments have long been contemplating, 
 a task of which in France the Government has sole 
 control. If by their industry, their perseverance, their 
 honesty of purpose, the Company prove able to carry 
 out their projects, it is for the public to give them its 
 cordial approval and encouragement. 
 
 The stables of the Company have been located at a 
 point, as nearly as possible within reach of all, being 
 
11 
 
 situated at a short distance from Montreal, wliere . 
 every person in this district is sure to have business 
 some time or other during the year. 
 
 For all further information, application can be made 
 to the office of the Company, 30 St. James Street, 
 Montreal. 
 
 LOUIS BEAUBIEN. 
 
 President. 
 
 R. AJZIAS TURENNE, 
 
 Managing Director. 
 Montreal, May i, 1889. 
 
INTRODUCTORY 
 
 Sir : 
 
 Since the issue of our last circular, the Haras 
 National Company have received a fresh consignment 
 of horses from France, and have completed their 
 splendid stable's at Outremont. ( See Engraving Page, ) 
 
 Both stallions and mares of extraordinary excellence 
 are now to be seen in the stables of the Haras. Their 
 certificates of pedigree will promptly convince those 
 who are acquainted with the Norman and Percheron 
 Stud- Books of their racial superiority. We cordially 
 invite all connoisseurs in horseflesh to visit the 
 stables, which have been pronounced without rival in 
 the Dominion, and to there examine Percherons and 
 Normans, and assure themselves by personal inspec- 
 tion of the truth of our assertions. At Montreal they 
 will always find a carriage at their disposal to convey 
 them to Outremont. [The Office of the Haras is at 
 30 St. James Street.] 
 
 We have received so many inquiries as to the history 
 of the equine races of La Perche and Normandy, that 
 we deem it advisable to give the required information, 
 which will he found further on, accompanied by the 
 judgments which some of the most distinguished 
 horse-breeders in the United States have pronounced 
 on these fine races. 
 
 In urging you. Sir, to accept our invitation to visit 
 the Haras Stables, we would gladly have your opinion 
 
18 
 
 on an enterprise, in the carrying out of which we have 
 shrunk from no sacrifice of means or energy. We 
 feel certain that ere long there will be a general 
 demand for Percheron and Norman stallions, because 
 their offspring sell better and are more highly prized 
 in the great markets of this continent than those of 
 any other breed. This is a fact that admits of no 
 question. 
 
 We do not undertake any criticism of Clydesdale or 
 other breeds, or indulge in comparisons which are 
 proverbially odious. We simply say, Come and see, 
 and judge for yotirself ! 
 
 For fifteen years, the Americans, your neighbors, 
 have been giving a decided preference to Percherons 
 and Normans both as draught and carriage horses. 
 
 From New York to the extreme North- West there 
 is but a single voice in favor of these French races, 
 and the importation of them is increasing from day to 
 day. It is well-known that in the great horse fairs of 
 Chicago, Percherons have always won the prizes over 
 the Clydesdales. We state this merely as a fact. We 
 may also draw the attention of intelligent Canadians 
 to the verdict of the principal New York horse- traders, 
 and especially to that of A. S. Chamberlain, who has 
 been in the business for some forty years : — " Some 
 years ago we used to get a great many horses from 
 Upper Canada. These were Cyldesdale and would 
 weigh from 1,400 to 1,600 lbs., but they did not 
 seem to answer the purpose : as a general thing, their 
 feet were thin-shelled out and flat, and being heavy 
 horses their feet would become sore and would not 
 stand the pavements." 
 
 Here, then, is what men who supply New York City and Brook- 
 
14 
 
 lyn say on the subject : — Dahlman. Chamberlain, Oakley, Smith, 
 
 Hayman, Stein, and Richie, who handle nine-tenths of all the 
 
 draught horses hold in these grtat cities, unite in saying that the 
 
 Percherons give the best satisfaction to the people who buy them to 
 
 wear out ; that they last longer ; that they stand the hot weather 
 
 best ; that their feet stand the work on the pavement better : tha 
 
 they sell for higher prices, and are more sought after than any other 
 
 breed ; and all these dealers unanimously recommend the farmers of 
 
 the country to breed to stallions of French blood in preference to 
 
 all others to raise horses to sell on the Eastern market A. J. Heine - 
 
 man, of Mansfield, O., who handles about two thousand horses 
 
 yearly, principally for the New York market, says : *' I handle more 
 
 of the Percheron or Norman horses because there is more demand 
 
 for them. They have more body, are finer lookers, and better 
 
 movers than the other breeds." Barey, Mewgrass, Cooper, Lamb, • 
 
 Klea, Towsig and Beckett, of Chicago, all express similar opinions, 
 
 and say : " Breed horses of the French blood for our market." The 
 
 above evidence is from men who handle perhaps fifty thousand 
 
 horses per annum, and is the reflex of the opinions of the men who 
 
 have the horses actually at work. 
 
 In France, in the very heart of La Perche, we have 
 a breeding farm, the well-known establishment of 
 Medavy, famous for the excellence of its colts, the 
 very pick of the Percheron races. Five years ago we 
 started, near Buffalo Gap, Dakota Territory, the ranch 
 of Fleur de Lys (Gen. -Man., R. Auzias-Turenne ; Ass.- 
 Manager: E. Coumert), where more than 900 horses 
 are reared at liberty in the open air. The only horses 
 admitted are of Percheron, Norman and Arab race. 
 It is noteworthy that in the great horse ranches of the 
 North-West the use of Clydesdale stallions has been 
 greatly discontinued, as the progeny was found incap- 
 able of enduring the rigors of winter on the prairie. 
 Two years ago, we established at Fremont, Nebraska, 
 ( General Manager : Louis Defontaine; Sec.-Treas. : A. 
 Marion;, a Jiaras for the sale exclusively of Percheron, 
 
15 
 
 Norman and Arab stallions and the products of Fleur 
 de Lys. In that establishment we have already sold 
 above a hundred stallions Percheron, Norman, and 
 Arab. In less than two months this fall, more than 
 twelve animals were taken out of those stables. 
 
 What we have accomplished at Fremont — where 
 we began without any external aid, without a single 
 acquaintance — we will also accomplish at Montreal, 
 with the willing support of the great agriculturists of 
 this Province. 
 
 Equipped as we are, and recoiling from no sacrifice 
 in procuring the finest stallions from France, assured 
 beforehand that the ramifications and connections of 
 our Company permit us to rear and to import with less 
 outlay than any other corporation or individual what- 
 ever, we are enabled to defy all competition in supply- 
 ing Canada with those admirable equine races, the 
 merits of which are recognized through the entire 
 
 Western hemisphere. It is our ambition to create in 
 Canada a Haras truly national in every sense of the 
 word, and, in so doing, to find a recompense for those 
 enormous sacrifices which we have not hesitated to 
 undergo, while endowing Canada with a race of horses 
 which will become as famous in the Dominion as they 
 have already become in our ancient Motherland. 
 
 THE COMPANY OF THE HARAS NATIONAL. 
 
 Louis Beaubien, 
 
 President. 
 
 R. AUZIAS-TURENNE, 
 
 Managing-Director. 
 Montreal, October, 1889. 
 
16 
 
 PRESS NOTICES. 
 IV/ia/ is said of our Horses at Home and Abroad. 
 
 THE PERCHF.RON AND ARABIAN IMPORTING HORSE CO. 
 
 This is what the Western Resources of Lincoln, Neb., of August 
 loth, 1889, says of The Percheron Arabian Importing Horse 
 Company : — 
 
 ** The Percheron and Arabian Importing Horse Company is one 
 of the great institutions of which the West can boast possession, and 
 should be proud to claim. The business coaiducted is not only im- 
 porting the choicest members of the Percheron and Arabian families 
 to American soil and leading them to the door of Western farmers 
 and stockmen for inspection and purchase, but likewise in breeding 
 on a scale of magnitude commensurate with their abundant capital, 
 unbridled enterprise and steadfast energy. In Perche, France, their 
 farm is one of the best known horse breeding establishments in the 
 dry, hilly land of superb horses, and some of the most serviceable 
 horses in Nebraska were bred on their well known Medavy Farm. 
 At Montreal, the Company of the Haras National, Canada, they have 
 a new extensive sale station where they will sell many well built and 
 powerful horses annually to the sturdy French Canadians of the 
 Province of Quebec. At Fremont, Neb., their third establishment is 
 reached and as is becoming with the general thrift and enterprise of 
 the Yankee West,this is the most important plant in the business, 
 especially as it refers to us. 
 
 " A Resources representative recently visited this the ' New Med- 
 avy,' by invitation, to inspect the recent importation from the Perche, 
 and it was gratifying to know the managers have profited by past 
 experience, and brought a class of horses this year nearer in accord 
 with the demand of Americans than last year. That is, they are 
 larger and possess quality from the tip of ear to the canon bones. 
 Some twenty stallions and mares were seen, and though just landed 
 from their long trip by rail and water, they are in fine fettle, and if 
 no impediment is encountered the company will be able to select a 
 ' show herd ' difficult to beat. The horses were principally produced 
 on the Medavy Farm, which adds interest to them, for it indicates 
 the character of the home establishment in stronger terms than words 
 can. Bayard, a beautiful black stallion with the brilliant star, three 
 
 
11 
 
 years old, finished nd proud, is the prince of the party, and though 
 he may be a trifle upstanding for some, has the show horse quaHties 
 so strong that when rivals meet him in the ring they will appreciate 
 tlie value of his rich breeding and commanding presence. Duroc, 
 of this importation, is a veritable Dutchman's, horse, being thick, low 
 and wide, but with all he has action and style that wilJ make him a 
 very popular horse in some circles. Another horse that attracted 
 attention was the grey stallion Cceur de Roi, four years old, hand- 
 somely turned, beautiful mover and very attractive. Conquerant 
 two years old, grey and a typical draught horse, has the conformation, 
 bone, substance and quality which will eventually make him, when 
 developed, a valuable stock horse. But why enumerate ? the entire 
 draft possesses the merit of the superb race of horses which this 
 company rear in France and America, and the prospective buyer will 
 be amply repaid by visiting this establishment. 
 
 " Kecently they have secured the Octagonal barn, built a few years 
 since by Hoy Bros., in Fremont, where patrons can be better ac- 
 commo'lated than heretofore. At all times there can be found a 
 representative of their stable at this conspicuous and well arranged 
 barn, and teams also for conveying those to their ranch, three miles 
 away, who do not find what is wanted at the barn. 
 
 " Near Buffalo Gap, D. T., ranging over an immense territory, 
 this company own nearly 900 head of horses, including Percherons, 
 Arabians, trotting bred stock, and general purpose beasts. The 
 region in and about the Black Hills is a famous horse country, and 
 this company have some pure bred stallions of quality and finish, 
 size and bone at Fremont, bred and produced on their Dakota 
 ranch. But, who don't know Fleur-de-Lys Horse Ranch through 
 the entire Wild West country ? Resources commends this company 
 and its genial, honorable officers to the fullest confidence of the 
 Western public." 
 
 QUEBEC WAS NOT BEHIND 
 
 AT THE GREAT TORONTO FAIR EXHIBIT OF SUPERB HORSES FROM 
 
 THE HARAS NATIONAL. 
 
 It is gratifying, to say the least, that Lower Canada was so well 
 epresented at the Toronto Exhibition so far as the exhibit of horses 
 is concerned, and th5 satisfaction is somewhat increased by the know- 
 
 I 
 
18 
 
 ledge of the fact that it is to Montreal gentlemen particularly that 
 the credit of this equine exhibit belongs. The Haras National has 
 been more than once mentioned in tliese columns, and the enterprise, 
 energy, and wide knowledge of the men conducting it have been 
 commented upon. Among the exhibits of the Haras National at the 
 Toronto Exhibition was a three-year-old Porcheron stallion weighing 
 1,900 pounds. He is black and of magnificent build, and has carried 
 off diplomas and first prizes at the Canada Central fair at Ottawa, at 
 Montreal, and at Sherbrooke, There was also a four-year-old Per- 
 cheron stallion, dapple grey, which also carried off prizes at the above 
 exhibitions. He has superb action and might be called a trotter, 
 although he turns the scales at 1,600 pounds. Another was a French 
 four-year-old coach stallion of beautiful outline and style. He has 
 secured several honors. Occupying another stall was a three-year- 
 old Norman-French coach stallion, which has taken a prize in the 
 carriage class. He is 16^ hands high and a fine specimen of his 
 kind, thoroughly sound in every respect and shows good breeding. 
 All these horses have pedigrees duly registered in the French stock 
 books. Farmers and horse rearers cannot be too well posted as to the 
 breeds of stock to choose from, and this was an exhibit which deserves 
 their weighty consideration. The Hon. Mr. Beaubien, the popular 
 president of the association, was repeatedly congratulated by people 
 who were present at the exhibition, and who were not only admirers 
 but judges of a good horse. — The Gazette^ Montreal. 
 
 EXHIBIT OF FRENCH HORSES 
 
 Before the Fair closes every farmer, stock-breeder and sportsman 
 should see the exhibit of French horses by the Haras National Com- 
 pany in cattle shed No. 11 . It is the first time that this large and 
 flourishing stock rearing concern has come to the Industrial Exhibi- 
 tion, but they are well known in France, in the Province of Quebec 
 and various parts of the United States. The company was formed 
 in 1888, the capital being half French and half Canadian, and is now 
 engaged extensively in the importation of French coach horses and 
 Arabian horses. Up till the present they have been successful, and 
 have been gaining reputation very rapidly for purity of breed and 
 excellence of stock in many parts of the Province of Quebec and the 
 United States. A large ranch has been acquired m the State of 
 
19 
 
 Dakota and a breeding farm In France. The latter serves as an 
 entrepot for rearing the horses before exportation to this continent 
 Another sale farm has been obtainec in Fremont, Nebraska, and 
 still another at Outremont, near Montreal. At the last named farm 
 there is one of the finest stables on the continent. Among the exhi- 
 bits at the Toronto Exhibition is a three-year-old Percheron stallion 
 weighing 1,900 pounds. He is black and of splendid shape, and has 
 carried off diplomas and first prizes at the Canada Central Fair at 
 Ottawa, at Montreal and at Sherbrooke. There i.s also a four-year- 
 old Percheron stallion, dajjple gray, which also carried off prizes at 
 tlie above exhibitions. He is of splendid action and might be called 
 a trotter, although he turns the scale at 1,600 pounds. The next is 
 a French four-year-old coach stallion of a beautiful outline and style. 
 He has already carried off a number of honors. Occupying another 
 stall is a three-year-old Norman-French coach stallion, which has 
 taken a prize in the carriage class. He is i6j,^ hands high and a 
 fine specimen of his kind, thoroughly sound in wind and limb and 
 shows good breeding. All these horses have pedigrees regularly 
 registered in the French stock books. The two French coach horses 
 shown were bought at the Government stud farms in France. Far- 
 mers and horse rearers cannot be too well posted as to the breeds of 
 stock to choose from, and this is an exhibit which deserves their 
 weighty consideration. Many admirers of the French horses talked 
 with Hon. L. Beaubien, the genial president of the company, who 
 was on the fair grounds yesterday. The manager, Mr. R. Auzias- 
 Turenne, is also in attendance. For the future the company intend 
 making Toronto one of their chief centres of business. — The Empire, 
 Toronto, Sept. 20, 1889. 
 
 EXHIBFITON NOTICES. 
 
 FRENCH PERCHERON AND NORMAND HORSES. 
 
 In the horse stalls are four of the finest horses in the Show, of the 
 'ercheron and Normandy breed, imported from France, and exhi- 
 )ited by the " La Cie. du Haras National," 30 St. James street, Mont- 
 eal. This is a joint stock company, instituted in France in the year 
 888, and of semi-French and semi-Canadian formation, for the pur- 
 )ose of importing and selling French and Arabian horses, of the 
 est breeds, in Canada. The Hon. Louis Beaubien, who now rep re- 
 
20 
 
 sents the Company in Montreal, is President, and Monsieur Auzias- 
 Turenne, Manager. The Company possesses a ranch in Dakota 
 where over 1,500 head of breeding horses are kept. The firm also 
 imports pure Arabian horses and has four of the finest specimens on 
 exhibition at the Fair Grounds, two Percherons and two Normans. 
 The names of the two Percherons are Joly and Bertrand. Tne 
 former is a fine black stallion, three years old, of beautiful propor- 
 tions and has secured five first prizes and a diploma, as foliows : — 
 Diploma at the Central Canada Exhibition Association, at Ottawa, 
 in 1888 ; three firsts at the Canada Eastern Exhibition at Sher- 
 brooke, P.Q., in 1889; two at the County of Hochelaga Agricultural j 
 Society on the 21st September, 1888. Bertrand, 4 years old, a grey, 
 obtained a first at Ottawa in 1888. Of the Normans, or French 
 coach horses, the horse Puisage, 3 years old, got a diploma and first 
 prize at Sherbrooke in 1889. Holopherne, another Norman, 4 years 
 old, took first at Ottawa in 1888 and first at Sherbrooke in 1889. — 
 The Globe, Toronto, Sept. 21, 1889. 
 
 SOMETHING ABOUT THE STABLES AT OUTREMONT. 
 
 A MODEL ESTABLISHMENT FOR HIGH CLASS HORSES AND CATTLE. 
 
 A pleasant drive is that which leads out of the city by way of 
 Bleury street and along Park avenue towards Outremont. The road 
 is being rapidly perfected, it is a wide, high thorougfare and will 
 soon be a creditable entrance to or exit from our city. The pleasure 
 of riding along this road is heightened to exhiliration by the know- 
 ledge of the fact that one is being drawn by a noble animal, the prize 
 winner in a number of exhibitions, a pure blooded three-year-old 
 Percheron, an animal which by its proud step seems to declare tol 
 the world its faultless pedigree. On reaching the Exhibition Ground] 
 a turn is made to the left and immediately again to the right, and thej 
 traveller finds himself on the Mountain Park road. After proceed-j 
 ing a few hundred yards along this the new stables, called the -Harasi 
 National, are reached, and they are well worth a visit from the tra-j 
 veller or admirer of a fine horse, for he will see several there. The 
 building is set well back from the road, and has an extensive fore-| 
 ground or avenue leading from the public thoroughfare. On the first] 
 floor we find a number of stalls with the names of the occupants 
 painted over the doors on the outside. Very high sounding names 
 
21 
 
 are those, and very historic some of them, but a look at their owners 
 convinces one that they bear them worthily. It has always been 
 said, written and sun^f that a true horseman loves his horse better 
 than anything else, and will look to its wants before his own. This 
 is, indeed, exemplified in the tenderness and solicitude of the Arab 
 robber for his horse, when he is cruel and relentless to all else. The 
 president of the Haras Natianal, without attributing to him either 
 the profession or the cruel disposition of the Arab, certainly mani- 
 fests that kindness to his horses shown by the wanderer of the desert. 
 The box stalls are large, high and light ; the bedding clean and soft. 
 There are small doors opening at the manger of each stall, so that 
 one man can feed twenty horses in ten minutes instead of having to 
 drag in first water, and then oats or hay, open and close several 
 doors and become a source of periodical annoyance to the animal. 
 Then should anyone wish to look at the horse, there is a small aper- 
 ture made in the regular door, which can be opened without disturbing 
 the occupant of the stall. These stalls are ranged along on either 
 side of the principal entrance and extend half way through the 
 building. Here a system of folding doors divide the front and back 
 parts of the stables. On the right there are stalls for cows and on 
 the left are horse stalls, both built solely with a view to the animal's 
 comfort, cleanliness and consequently health. The system of sanita- 
 tion and ventilation is perfect, although unique, and it will be utterly- 
 impossible for any animal to get into a dirty stall. 
 
 The second floor above this is at preseut used as a hay loft, but in 
 course of time it will be fitted out in stalls for horses. It is built 
 with that end in view ; and nothing could exceed the substantial 
 manner in which everything is constructed. 
 
 Above this again is another loft for storing hay, which can be 
 thrown into any of the stalls below, thus saving the labor of carrying 
 down the daily supplies. From this floor can be had a splendid view 
 of the surrounding country, which just now shines forth in the golden 
 glory of autumn. The economy of this building is the production of 
 much thought ; everything is not only modern, it is in advance of the 
 times ; it is built in such a manner as to obviate all unnecessary 
 labor ; in fact the whole affair is a marvel of compactness. The 
 situation, too, is highly advantageous ; it is quite in the country, yet 
 only a tew minutes from the heart of the city; it enjoys all the advan- 
 tages of the country in the way of fresh, pure air and pleasant 
 
22 
 
 surroundings, and at the same time the facilities afforded by its close 
 proximity to the city without the attending disadvantages of noise 
 and smoke. The whole establishment is quickly approaching com- 
 pletion, and will no doubt be in full running order this fall, ready for 
 official inauguration next spring. Neither money, skill nor thought 
 has been spared to make it a model establishment for high class 
 horses and cattle, and the fact the animals already shown in connec- 
 tion with it have have secured so many prizes, is a safe promise of 
 the ultimate success of a venture of such a praiseworthy character. — 
 Montreal Gazette, Oct. i, 1889. 
 
 
23 
 
 ^ THE PAST AND PRESENT SYSTEM 
 
 OF 
 
 BREEDING IN THE PERUHE 
 
 The following- extract, quoted from the writings of 
 M. Fordouet, one of the oldest and most prominent 
 breeders of the Perche, and which is fully corroborated 
 by a careful perusal of history, contines its modification 
 to meet the present developments of the changed 
 condition of the country to three periods of existence. 
 First. To horses suitable for the saddle and 
 for war. 
 
 Second. For agriculture an'd commercial interests 
 Third. The period when the heavy draft horse 
 with the activity of the lighter types, came into active 
 demand, which began about fifty years ago. He says : 
 " The matchless breed, whose antiquity of origin 
 stands first among the equine races of civilized nations 
 has been moulded to meet the necessities of the 
 different periods of its existence, for hundreds of years, 
 under the vivifying influences and climatic effects of 
 the Perche, as well as by the inimitable processes of 
 educating both males and females from the earliest 
 age. and with the most judicious care possible, by the 
 actual performance of the work they will be called 
 upon to do during their lives, thus slowly and surely 
 developing their physical capabilities and instinctive 
 aptitudes into hereditary and transmissable forces, 
 
24 
 
 which have been exerted with such potent power in 
 the amelioration of all races with which it has come in 
 contact. 
 
 "In feudal ages, the country required a class of 
 horses suited to an equestrian race, and the Perche 
 supplied them. With the advent of a higher civilization, 
 the peaceful pursuits of agriculture and commerce 
 demanded horses for the post, the diligence, and for 
 agriculture and draft purposes. The Perche was called 
 on, and she met the demand. 
 
 "The application of steam as a motive power 
 introduced a new era in the world's history ; the 
 building of railroads and steamships, and its adoption 
 as a power in all the useful arts in manufacturing, has 
 changed alL 
 
 ** The post and diligence are gone, the agricultural 
 and great commercial marts remam to be supplied ; 
 labor and food have become more costly, and the 
 people, by force of necessity and the demands of 
 economy, call for larger, stronger and equally active 
 horses to meet the requirements of the time. How 
 has the Perche sustained herself under the pressure of 
 this last and most difficult demand ? The answer fills 
 us with pride and gratification. The Government 
 and all the departments of France are eager purchasers 
 of Percheron stallions to improve and ameliorate their 
 native breeds. Russia, Austria, Germany and Italy 
 buy largely, both by direct government purchase and 
 private enterprise. Even Great Britain is a customer 
 of no small magnitude. 
 
 "With such magnificent acknowledgments of the 
 value and superiority of the Percheron race we ought 
 to be content, but this is not the half; the plains of 
 
25 
 
 South America are being supplied with stock of our 
 breeding, and lastly, that beautiful country, that great 
 republic across the sea, whose progress is the wonder 
 of the world, is our mosf enamored admirer and liberal 
 purchaser. 
 
 " Investigation has shown us that the improvements 
 of the past necessary to meet the changing demands 
 have been accomplished bv selectinof animals best 
 suited to the new requirements, and, by a judicious 
 system of in-and-in-breeding, perpetuating the valuable 
 qualities sought for, at the same time intensifying their 
 hereditary powers of transmitting those qualities ; also, 
 that the finest specimens of the Percheron race now 
 in existence are traceable directly to the generative 
 influences of the Arab, the primitive horse — the primal 
 origin of the Percheron race. 
 
 " The veteran historian and faithful friend of the 
 Percheron, Charles Du Hays, many years ago advo- 
 cated these doctrines, and it is certainly a most 
 extraordinary commentary upon the discernment and 
 knowledge of horse-breeding possessed by this famous 
 author, that ' Jean le Blanc,' the horse that so greatly 
 excited his admiration that he took the pains to trace 
 his origin, and found him a direct descendant of the 
 famous Arab stallion ' Gallipoli,' belonging to the stud 
 stables of Pin, near Bellesme, established by the 
 Marquis of Brigges in 1760, has proven the most 
 potent element in the improvement of the Percheron 
 race, nearly all of the most valuable and highest 
 priced stallions of the Perche being directly traceable 
 to this horse, many of the finest through several lines 
 of in-breedinCT." 
 
 It will thus be seen that the finest and most 
 
26 
 
 valuable Percherons — in which is preserved the style, 
 quality and finish of the original type, with the increased 
 weight now demanded — can only be found in individuals 
 descended from animals of Arab origin, increased in 
 size by selecting the largest males and females and a 
 judicious system of in-breeding. 
 
 This has resulted in a close relation >hip of all the 
 finest Percheron families of the present time, which 
 are owned by the most progressive and successful 
 breeders and stallioners in the Perche, and only irt 
 whose possession the finest individuals can be found, 
 in which the same blood is traceable for ages. 
 
 The valuable qualities possessed by these animals, 
 that have been concentrated for generations through a 
 careful system of in-and-in-breeding, is the great source 
 of reliance upon which we df.pend for their prepotency, 
 or the capability of transmit.ing with absolute certainty 
 the valuable qualities of their race— a power never 
 possessed by animals of mixed blood. 
 
 The British Quarterly J ournal of Agriculture 
 says : "The Percheron horses are a capital race for 
 HARD WORK AND SCANTY FARE." He never elsewhere 
 seen such horses at the collar. Under the diligence, 
 post- carriage^ or clumsy cabriolet, or on the farm,, 
 they are enduring and energetic beyond description. 
 With their necks cut to the bone they flinch not 
 They keep their condition when other horses would 
 die of neglect or hard treatment. The superiority of 
 French horses for crossing on the common mares of 
 America is established. 
 
27 
 
 PERCHERONS. 
 
 BY CHARLES DU HAYS. 
 
 Anthor of the " nicHonary of the Pare Bnce," " Trotters," >' The Book 
 
 of theRaceN,'' "Alerlerault," *'The Horfle<Breeder'« 4i>alde/' 
 
 etc., and Then, as Now, Occupying a PlRrh Position 
 
 In the French Government. 
 
 The following history is quoted from the work of the above author; 
 
 " Almost everything that has been written about the horse may be 
 reduced pretty much to complaining that there does not exist a 
 breed which unites, in an elevated degree, high moral or physical 
 (jualities ; modestly seeking and teaching the means of obtaining 
 such a breed. 
 
 " It is reasonable that such sentiments should surprise us, here in 
 the heart of France, where, for a long time, a race of horses has 
 flourished which may be said to fill the requirements proposed in 
 every way. 
 
 " The proof of this statement is easy ; a hasty sketch of the prin- 
 cipal characters of the breed suffices to furnish it. 
 
 " To no ordinary strength, to vigor that does not degenerate, and 
 to a conformation that does not exclude elegance, it joins docility, 
 mildness, patience, honesty, great kindness, excellent health, and a 
 hardy, elastic temperament. Its movements are quick, spirited and 
 light. It exhibits great endurance, both when hard worked and when 
 forced to maintain for a long time any of its natural gaits, and it pos- 
 sesses the inestimable quality of moving fast with heavy loads. It is 
 particularly valuable for its astonishing precocity, and produces by 
 its work, as a two-year-old, more than the cost of its feed and keep. 
 Indeed, it loves and shows a real aptness for labor, which is the lot 
 of all. It knows neither the whims of bad humor nor nervous excite- 
 ment. It bears for man, the companion of its labors, an innate confi- 
 dence, and expresses to him a gentle familiarity, the fruit of an educa- 
 tion for many generations in the midst of his family. Women and 
 children from whose hands it is fed can approach without fear. In 
 a word, if I may speak thus, it is an honorable race. It has that fine 
 
28 
 
 oriental gray coat, the best adapted of all to withstand the burning 
 rays of the sun in the midst of the fields — a coat which pleases the 
 eye, and which in the darkness of the night allowed the postilion of 
 former times to see that he was not alone — that his friend was 
 making his way loyally before him. It is exempt ( a cause of ever- 
 lasting jealously among the breeders of other races), always exempt 
 from the hereditary bony defects of the hock, and where it is raised, 
 spavin, jardon, bone spavin, periodical inflammation, and other 
 dreaded infirmities are not known even by name. 
 
 " This tjuly typical race would seem a myth, did it not exist in 
 our midst. But every day we see, every day we handle this treasure, 
 the munificent gift of Providence to this favored region, to cause 
 agriculture, that ' nursing mother,' to flourish, and with agriculture, 
 peace and abundance. 
 
 " I need not name this breed ; everyone, from this incomplete 
 sketch, has recognized the fine race of steady and laborious horses 
 bred in the ancient province of Perche (so justly entitled Perche of 
 good horses) , plowing in long furrows the soil of Beauce, and thence 
 spreading itself over all France, where its qualities render it without 
 a rival for all the specialties of rapid draft. 
 
 "That cool, restrained and ever fresh energy, that courageous 
 patience of which the Percheron, every day, gives an example, drag- 
 ging, at a trot, heavy loads, the weight of which frightens the imagin- 
 ation ; stopping short both in ascending or descending ; starting off 
 freely, and always without balking ; never sulking at his work or 
 food, and fearing neidier heat nor cold. He remains exclusively 
 both the quick and mettlesome draft horse and the heavy burdfu 
 and express waggon horse. He possesses superior strength, speed, 
 docility, temper and honesty, and a complete absence of irritability. 
 This is a specimen of Percheron qualities. 
 
 " Hence it is that all our provinces envy us the possession of the 
 race, and even foreign countries seek after it with an eagerness 
 amounting to a passion. 
 
 " The prices of these stallions have increased so rapidly in a few 
 years that they have tripled and quadrupled. Accordingly, the pos- 
 sessors sold them. The administrative authorities, aided by the 
 €lite of the proprietors, endeavored, however, to hinder this immi- 
 gration. They formed a stud-stable at Bonneval. Prizes were given 
 at Mortagne, Nogent le-Rotrou, lUiers, and Vendome. But an end 
 
29 
 
 was arrived at contrary to what was desired. The prizes served as 
 signs to the dealers. Perche was visited to buy first class horses. '•' * 
 ** The value of the Percheron is more evident than ever. It is 
 this, among the serviceable races, which is called to the greatest for- 
 tune. His usefulness causes liim to be everywhere in demand." 
 
 1 1 
 
30 
 
 POINTS OF EXCELLENCE, DESIRABILITY AND SUPERIORITY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 PERCHERON HORSES 
 
 Ftrs^.— The gentleness and docility of this match- 
 less race is unequalled by any other breed in the 
 world. The pure bred Percheron has the best 
 disposition and is the most tractable of any horse 
 known. Good temper, kindness and trustworthiness 
 are the uniform qualities found in these noble animals. 
 There are no vicious or balky horses amono- them. 
 They are most thoroug-hly domesticated, and a child 
 can handle them with safety. 
 
 Seconal. — The imported pure bred Percherons are 
 unexcelled in their stvle and action amonof all draft 
 horses. Thev are the fastest walkers and trotters 
 with a heavy load of any breed of horses in the world. 
 For expertness of manoeuvre and movement at heavy 
 draft they have no rival. In their native Perche 
 they are bred for work, they are inured to work by 
 hardy and vigorous exercise from the beginning, they 
 take to their work naturally, they are willing workers. 
 There is no expense in training them for work, as is 
 the case with horses bred and trained for speed, an 
 occupation the general farmer cannot afford to engage 
 in, but which will do well enough for gentlemen of 
 
31 
 
 means, such as choose to engage in the lottery of 
 breeding- for speed, who delight in sport and can 
 afford to take tlie chances. The Percheron colts are 
 broken by the farmer in doing the farm work, and as 
 soon as they are old enough they are ready for the 
 market. They are bred for work ; they are inured 
 by hardy and vigorous exercise and labor, hence they 
 are natural and willing workers. 
 
 TJdrd. — Their power of endurance have won for 
 them friends the world over. There is no horse that 
 will endure the labor and fatigue on as scanty fare 
 and with the same care as one of the Percheron race. 
 They are marvels of economy in the quantity of food 
 required to maintain them in good condition. 
 
 Their strength and endurance is attested by the 
 great and growing demand for these horses for omnibus 
 and stage lines, for express and transfer companies, 
 wholesale merchants, and heavy work on city pave- 
 ments. It costs no more to keep a Percheron than a 
 scrub. In this country, where food is cheap, the 
 greatest care must be exercised against over-feeding, 
 from which comes most of their ills, our disposition 
 being to give them fare they were not accustomed to 
 in the scanty pastures on the hills of Perche. 
 
 Fourth. — Ihey have the best feet of any breed of 
 heavy horses. In this there is a conspicuous excellence. 
 
 Fifth. — They are true and sure in transmitting 
 their good qualities to their colts. 
 
 This quality and power of the pure bred Percheron 
 is very remarkable and distinct, and in breeding to 
 such, owners of mares may be assured of improving 
 their stock. They get a half-breed that excels the 
 ordinarv scrub in such a decree as to seem a distinct 
 breed. 
 
82 
 
 Successful farmers and stock men have come to 
 understand that it is unsafe and does not pay to breed 
 their mares to any kind of grades when they can get 
 the service of a pure bred Percheron. The get of 
 the pure bred sells for two or three times as much as 
 that of a grade stallion. At the best, a grade can 
 beget but an ordinary colt, and in most instances they 
 breed back along their line instead of getting such 
 colts as make the horses which buyers are constantly 
 and persistently seeking after. Thousands of colts 
 got by grades are compelled to hunt for buyers of 
 their stock, while the owners of colts got by pure bred 
 Percherons are hunted out by the buyers, up and 
 down, the country over. 
 
 Sixth— Tho. pure bred Percheron foal is smaller 
 than that of any grade stallion, and is a wonderful 
 phenomenon of nature. The popular fear of disaster 
 in breeding small mares to large pure bred stallions 
 is unfounded, as has been fully demonstrated. The 
 results of such breeding must be seen in the young 
 foals in order to be fully understood and appreciated. 
 
 Seventh. — Longevity of race and prepotency in old 
 age is one of their confirmed and assured qualities. 
 
 Eighth. — One of the strong points in favor of the 
 pure bred Percheron that commends them so strongly 
 to the public is their soundness and immunity from 
 many of the diseases common among other breeds and 
 domestic horses. In breeding to the Percherons, by 
 reason of their superior constitutions, intelligence and 
 amiability, many of the bad points which exist in 
 common stock are overcome and counteracted, such as 
 spavin, ring bone, and many other defects, and above 
 all, the common infirmities and dangers owing to 
 vicious temper and uncertainty of disposition. 
 
38 
 
 DRAFT HORSES. 
 
 Their Breeding One of the Important Industries of 
 
 the Day— The Experience of Dealers who 
 
 Buy and Sell 40,000 Horses 
 
 Annually. 
 
 The following article appeared in The Chicago Daily Tribune^ and 
 as it demonstrates beyond question the superiority of the Percheron- 
 Norman breed over all other races of draft horses, when crossed 
 upon our native mares, for the production of valuable work animals, 
 I deem it worthy of careful perusal : — 1 
 
 The Tribune, as the acknowledged champion of the agriculturists 
 of the great Northwest, whose progressive ideas have been established 
 and developed under its tutelage, presents to its readers in this issue 
 a most valuable and timely array of facts bearing upon the relative 
 merits of the different breed of draft horses that are being bred in the 
 United States and Canada. 
 
 This subject, although of vital importance to the people, is one 
 that, for various causes, has been handled very tenderly by those 
 papers whose duty it is to give the facts to their readers. The agri- 
 cultural press, which claims to be wholly devoted to the interest of 
 farmers, for fear of losing advertising patronage by publishing that 
 which would injure anybody engaged in handling what is called im- 
 proved stock, has attempted to pursue a course that would conciliate 
 all. The result has been the mystification of the people, who are at 
 more of a loss what to do than if nothing had been written. 
 
 In order that the facts might be known to the people, that they 
 might pursue the most profitable course of breeding, representatives 
 of the Tribune were instructed to procure of the well known and 
 leading dealers in the New York and Chicago horse markets 
 information 
 
84 
 
 UPON THE FOLLOWING POINTS: 
 
 If they handled draft horses to any extent, what breeds they 
 handled. Of which particular breed they sold most. Why they sold 
 most of that breed. If the horses of that breed were possessed of 
 more endurance than others. If they had better feet and lasted 
 longer on the city pavements. If they commanded higher prices, or 
 what were the reasons for this particular breed being the favorite. 
 This will account for the similarity of some of the interviews, as, 
 where the gentlemen interviewed did not in their statements cover 
 the several points, these questions were generally propounded. 
 
 The result will be of immense value to all those engaged in breed- 
 ing horses, as well as those who have horses to buy and have not had 
 experience upon which to base their judgment in purchasing. This 
 evidence is of the very best that be obtained, for it is the accumulated 
 knowledge of years of experience of those who furnish perhaps 40,000 
 horses annully directly to those who buy them to wear out. 
 
 In order to avoid mystifying those persons not versed in the differ- 
 ent names often applied to the same breeds, we wi'l explain briefly by 
 Fstating that those classed as Clydesdales are mobily the produce of " 
 horses imported direct from Scotland, or bred in Canada, and | 
 imported to the United States. Under the head of English horses 
 are comprised the large Lincolnshire, the Yorkshire, the Suffolk and 
 other strains. \ 
 
 '^he French breeds arc composed of the Percherons, the Brittany, j 
 and the Boulonnais In this country people distinguish them as j 
 Percherons, Percheron-Normans, Norman-Percheron, Normans, and | 
 French horses. The pure-breds are all recorded, or eligible for ' 
 entry, in " The Percheron-Norman Stud Book." 
 
 The Percherons are considered superior to all the French families, ' 
 and at the Universal Exposition in 1878, and at all the great shows 
 of France for years, they have carried off the prizes. 
 The result of the interview was as follows : 
 
 ISAAC H. DAHLMAN, 
 
 of Nos. 209 and 211 East Twenty -fourth street, New York city, being j 
 called upon, requested the scribe to call in the evening, as he was too^ 
 busy to give any time during the day. In conversation with other 
 dealers it was learned that Mr. I. H. Dahlman is by far the most 
 
86 
 
 extensive horse dealer in the New York horse market, and in fact in 
 the country. Nearly all the dealers called upon referred to him as 
 the highest authority on horseflesh. / 
 
 Calling in the evening, Mr. Dahlnian said : • 
 
 " I handle between 9,000 and 10,000 horses annually on my own 
 
 accoimt. Do not handle horses on commission for other people. 
 
 These include all kinds of horses — draft, coach, driving, trotting, and 
 
 railroad horses. Between 2,500 and 3,000 of these are heavy draft 
 
 horses. Of the draft horses I handle the great proportion, nearly 
 
 all, are Norman-Percherons. These Norman-Percheron horses are 
 
 docile, intelligent; broad between the eyes, and have some brain. 
 
 rhey are easily broken, and are steady in harness — meaning that 
 
 hey don't fret when they do their work. They are powerful horses 
 
 and comjiactly built — short in the back, deep in the body, and broad 
 
 rin the chest. This gives them what we call ' a good dinner basket.' 
 
 " The Normau-Percherons have the best feet of any horse in 
 America. They have a high cup foot. Their feet will stand work 
 on the pavement better than those of any other breed. They are 
 short-coated and thin-skinned, and stand the hot weather the best of 
 iny breed. Our heavy draft horses here have the hardest work in 
 lot weather. The Norman-Percherons generally give the best satis- 
 action to the people who buy them to wear out. I'hey are very 
 inely developed for their ages. I put them into the heaviest work 
 hen four years old. I buy these horses because they give the best 
 atisfaction to my customers. 
 
 " I don't want it understood that all Norman horses have the good 
 ualities. I have seen some imported that were as bad-shaped horses 
 .s could be found. Some are what I call ' nigger-toed,' — too long in 
 he back and very narrow waisted. They were not worth their 
 •eight from France here. That class of horses is only imported by 
 eople who have no judgment in selecting horses — who buy to sell 
 nd not to breed, [f a man with judgment goes to France to select 
 
 stallion or a mare he can find them with the quality. 
 
 '* A cross on the thoroughbred with a Norman crossed again with 
 
 thoroughbred makes a nice coach horse. There is a scarcity of 
 :oach horses in this country , and the demand is increasing yearly, 
 t would pay to import some." 
 
 Mr. Dahlman was then asked in what respect he considered the 
 
 lydesdale horses inferior to the French horses. He said : " I will 
 
86 
 
 not give you any criticism on the Clydesdale. I buy very few of 
 them. I prefer to pass his stable and say nothing about him." 
 
 Being asked as to the relative prices he was willing to pay for 
 Norman-Percherons and other breeds, Mr. Dahlman said he should 
 have to decline to answer that also, as, if he did, every farmer wha 
 owned a Norman horse would want $io more for him. 
 
 He was then asked what breed of horses he would recommend 
 farmers to breed from with reference to selling on the New York 
 maaket. His answer was that he thought that The Tribune readers 
 would understand that from what he had already said. 
 
 J. H. WHITSON & SON, 
 
 of 2IO East Twenty-fourth street, New York city, were next seen. 
 Mr. Whitson said : 
 
 " We do quite a large business in horses, but do not make a specialty 
 of draft horses. Handle more of the lighter weights, such as railroad 
 and driving horses We handle some of the grades of the different 
 breeds of heavy horses — French, or Percheron-Normans as they are 
 called, Clydesdales, and a few of the English and Belgian horses. 
 Anything we see cheap we buy. I think we handle more of the 
 Clydesdales than of the other breeds, because we find more of them 
 for sale about the country. 
 
 " The Normans, beyond doubt, have the best feet and last better 
 on the New York pavements. 
 
 " Our customers, however, are generally not well posted, and don't 
 know the difference between the Clydesdales and the Normans. I 
 have no preference for either breed." 
 
 Mr. Whitson appeared timid about expressing himself on the 
 
 subject, as, he said, some of the large dealers in heavy horses who 
 were his neighbors would not agree with him, and would find fault 
 
 with him when the interviews were published. He declined to say 
 
 more. 
 
 FISS & DOERR, 
 
 of 155 East Twenty-fourth street, New York city, were seen. Mr. 
 Doerr said : 
 
 " We are doing a large business in horses ; have sold about 1,30a 
 this year, although we have only been in business two years. Of these 
 quite a number are draft horses, although we do not make a specialty 
 
3*7 
 
 of heavy horses. I Hke the Clyde horses the best, because they have 
 better feet. The Norman horses are more compactly built, and if 
 they had as good feet I should prefer them to the Clydesdales. The 
 feet of the Norman horse are brittle and splinter easily." 
 
 SOLOMON MEHRBACH, 
 
 of 154 East Twenty-fourth street, New York city, expressed himself 
 as follows : 
 
 " I deal largely in all the different kinds of draft horses — Clydes- 
 dales, English and Belgian, and the French horses called Percherons 
 or Normans. Don't know which class I handle most oflf. Have no 
 preference for either breed, and find that one class of horses sells as 
 well as another. A good horse sells well at any time. 
 
 " The Clydes are pretty good horses, but rather flat-footed and 
 slim-waisted." 
 
 Mr. Mehrback then left to attend to some customers, saying that 
 he did not think the Western larmers needed any information on the 
 subject of horse-breeding. 
 
 Returning the next day, and pressing Mr. Mehrback for more 
 information, he said : " Have you seen Mr. I. H. Dahlman ?" The 
 reporter said he had. "Well, he likes the Normans, don't he?" 
 " Yes." " Well, I like the Clydes. I handle more of them than I 
 do of the Normans. They give better satisfaction to my customers, 
 have more bone, better feet and last longer. They have more action 
 than the Normans." 
 
 A. S. CHAMBERLIN, 
 
 of 147 East Twenty-fourth street. New York city, runs what are known 
 as " The Old Bull's Head " stables. He has been longer in the stable 
 business than any man in New York cily, having been so engaged for 
 upwards of forty years. Mr. C. said : 
 
 " I keep exchange and sale stables for horses. Don't deal on my 
 own account to any extent. All classes of horses, amounting to 
 several thousand annually, come to my stables from all sections of 
 the country. A large number of these are draft horses of the different 
 breeds, the Clydesdales, the French horses called Percherons or 
 Normans, the English and Belgian. There seems to be a lareer 
 demand for the French horses than any other breed. 
 
88 
 
 " Some years ago we used to get a great many- 
 horses from Upper Canada. These were Clydesdales^ 
 and would weigh from 1,400 to 1,000 pounds, but they 
 did not seem to answer the purpose ; as a general 
 thinof their feet were thin-shelled and flat, and beinor 
 heavy horses their feet would become sore and would 
 not stand the pavements. The French horses have 
 good feet and stand the pavements better than the 
 Clydesdales. That is the reason they sell better. The 
 Norman horses are the finest looking and most attrac- 
 tive ; have better action, are quicker-stepping horses, 
 and stand their work better than the Clydes. The 
 Norman horse brings a better price on the market. 
 
 ** The Clydesdales are heavy-boned, heavy-limbed horses, strong 
 in the shoulder, and strong-hipped. They are, however, short- ribbed, 
 slim-waisted and lack action. Comparatively few Clydesdales are 
 now brought to this market. Either they don't raise them, or don't 
 bring them to this market. The demand is largely for the Norman 
 horses. 
 
 " I would advise the farmers and breeders who are breeding horses 
 to sell on the New York market for draft purposes to breed from the 
 French horses in preference to all others." 
 
 OAKLEY & SMITH. 
 
 of No. 160 East Twenty-fourth street, New York city, were seen. 
 Mr. Oakley said : 
 
 " Our firm handles several thousand horses annually, and upward 
 of a thousand of them are heavy draft horses. We handle all kinds 
 of heavy horses, Clydesdales, English and Belgian, and the French 
 horses called Percherons or Normans. We handle rather more of 
 the Clydesdales than of the other breeds. We handle those horses 
 we can get the easiest. There is no greater demand for the Clydes- 
 dales than for other breeds. The Clydesdales are generally a little 
 short in the rib and light-waisted, but have good shoulders and 
 rumps. 
 
 " I don't see much difference in the feet of the different breeds or 
 
89 
 
 their wearing qualities. The Normans are good stocky horses, com- 
 pactly built. Still, when I see a horse I like, I pay little attention to 
 the breed." 
 
 Mr. Oakley then was asked what kind of horses he would advise 
 the farmers and breeders of the country to breed to with jeference to 
 raising horses for the New York Market. He replied : " A cross of 
 the Norman horse on our native mares would be my choice, and 
 that is the sort of breeding I would recommend." 
 
 JACOB DAHLMAN. 
 
 of 207 East Twenty-fourth street. New York city, said : 
 
 " I handle on my own account between 1,500 and 1,800 horses 
 annually. This includes all kinds of horses, but a large proportion 
 of them are heavy horses of the various large breeds, ♦"he French 
 horses called Percheron-Normans, Clydesdales, English and Belgian. 
 
 " I handle a great many of the Percheron-Norman horses, more of 
 them than of any other breed. There is more demand for them 
 than for any other class. The French horses are the best, have the 
 best feet, last longer on the New York pavements, and always give 
 satisfaction. They are more compactly built, there is more work in 
 them, and they are better broken. They have better action than 
 the other breeds. 
 
 " I'he Clydesdale are next thing to the Norman horses. They 
 are very good horses. I have handled a good many of them, but 
 there are not many of them on the market nowadays. As to prices, 
 anything in the way of a good blocky horse, built like a Norman, 
 with good bone and good feet, will bring the same as a Norman 
 horse. 
 
 " I would advise the farmers and breeders breeding horses with 
 reference to selling in the New York market to breed from the 
 Percheron-Norman horses in preference to any other breed." 
 
 C. & H. HAYMAN. 
 
 of Nos. 213 and 215 East Twenty-fourth street, New York city, were 
 also seen. Mr. H. Hayman said : 
 
 "We handle about 2,000 horses a year, principally heavy draft. 
 We handle all kinds of large horses raised in this country, including 
 Clydesdales, the French horses, English and Belgian. We handle 
 more of the Normans than of the others. Have more demand for 
 
40 
 
 them than for the other breeds. The people like them better, and 
 they bring higher prices than the other breeds. The Norman horses 
 have the best feet and last better on the New York pavements. They 
 have the most endurance and generally give good satisfaction. The 
 Norman horse is more easily broken, and is the best dispositioned 
 horse we have. Norman horses mature sooner, and are ready for 
 the market when much younger than those of other breeds. 
 
 " The Clydesdales are open-made horses, not so compact and 
 well finished as the French horses. The Clydesdales are not only 
 not so well shaped, but their feet are not so good as those of the 
 Normans. 
 
 ** We would advise the farmers and breeders of the West to breed 
 to Norman horses in preference to any other breed with a view to 
 seUing on the New York market." 
 
 A. M. STEIN & CO., 
 
 of 229 Washington street, Brooklyn, N. Y., were seen. Mr. D. W. 
 Stein said : 
 
 " We have been in the business over twenty years. We handle 
 near 2,000 head of horses annually. Large numbers of them are 
 heavy draft horses. We handle all kinds, the Clydesdales, the 
 French horses, called Percherons, English and Belgian. We handle 
 more of the Percheron-Normans than of any other breed. There is 
 more demand for them. They give the best satisfaction, no matter 
 how little of the blood there is in them. Generally they have good 
 feet and last better on our pavements than the Clydesdales, or any 
 of the other breeds. The Belgian horse is a good horse. 
 
 " The Percheron-Norman horse has the best action of any breed, 
 and weight and condition being equal, brings the liighest price in the 
 market. 
 
 "The Clydesdales haven't as good a foot, haven't as good action, 
 nor as much rib, nor as broad a chest as the Percheron-Normans. 
 Neither are they as good feeders. Take a Percheron-Norman and a 
 Clydesdale, each in poor condition, and feed them alike for two 
 months, and the Percheron-Norman will improve 200 per cent more 
 than the Clydesdale. The only trouble with the Percheron-Norman 
 is their scarcity. Tell the farmers of the West to keep their Per- 
 cheron-Norman mares and breed them. I would advise them to 
 breed from Percheron-Norman horses in preference to any other 
 breed for the purpose of selling on this market." 
 
41 
 
 Mr. Stein has made quite a study of breeding horses. He has 
 spent some time in France, and seemed quite well posted as to the 
 French methods of breeding. 
 
 HENRY NEWMAN, 
 
 of 328 Rutlege Street, Brooklyn, was not at home when the reporter 
 called, but his son, Mr. P. Newman, said : 
 
 " We handle a large number of horses of all kinds. A good many 
 are heavy draft. We are handling MOSTLY FRENCH-CANA- 
 DIAN HORSES, but get some from Ohio and Indiana. We 
 handle more French horses than of any other breeds. They have 
 better feet, and last longer on our pavements, and bring better prices 
 than any other class of horses. We have more demand for them, and 
 they give satisfaction generally. They are more compactly built 
 than the Clydesdales. We don't like the long-geared horses. 
 
 " We would advise the farmers TO BREED FRENCH HORSES 
 TO SELL on this market in preference to any other breed." 
 
 S. RICHEY, 
 
 of 341 Rutlege street, Brooklyn, said : 
 
 " I handle a large number of horses, principally heavy draft. This 
 includes all of the heavy breeds, Clydesdales, English, Belgian, and 
 the French horses, called Norman. I handle about the same num- 
 ber of each, I think. The Normans are compactly built horses, and 
 have more wear in them than the other breeds of horses. They are 
 not so large. The Norman horses have the best feet. I think the 
 reason is on account of their coming from the West, where they don't 
 have to shoe them so young, and the soil seems to agree with their 
 feet. Their action, too, seems to be as good as that of the other 
 breeds. I think the Clydesdales or English horses are the most 
 showy ; have more size and stand up higher. The Norman , are 
 more compact, lower built, shorter necked — are workers. 
 
 "The Clydesdales have more white marks about them — more 
 white faces and white on their fore legs than the other breeds, and 
 that hurts them for this market. 
 
 " The prevailing color of the Norman horse is grey, and a matched 
 pair of greys will bring more money than any other color. The 
 Normans are better selling horses, and give the best satisfaction of 
 any of the breeds to customers. If I were buying for my own use I 
 
 ■h- 
 
42 
 
 would have nothing but the Normans. I would advise the farmers 
 and breeders to breed Norman horses in preference to any others 
 with a view to selling on this market." 
 
 A. J. HEINEMAN, 
 
 of Mansfield, Ohio, was seen. Mr. Heineman said : 
 
 " I handle about 2,000 horses a year, principally heavy draft 
 horses, and ship altogether to the New York market. I handle all 
 kinds of draft horses, including the Percheron-Normans, Clydesdales, 
 Belgian and English breeds. 
 
 " I handle more of the Norman horses because there is more 
 demand for them, and they are the best draft horses we have. After 
 the Normans the Belgians are the best, and next to them the English. 
 
 " The Normans have more body, are finer looking, and are better 
 movers than the other breeds. They have better feet than the 
 Clydesdales, and better ends, broad breasts and rumps. The Nor- 
 mans are better dispositioned horses than the Clydesdales. The 
 brewers of New York, as a general thing, will not buy a Clydesdale 
 horse, on account of his feet and disposition. We can't sell one 
 Clydesdale where we can sell 100 Normans. The Clydesdales are 
 narrow-waisted, as a general thing, and cannot stand what a Norman 
 can. When a Clydesdale horse gets sick he goes to pieces quicker 
 than any other class of horses. The Clydesu. Jes have no constitution. 
 
 ** I would give $50 more for a good Norman or Belgian horse 
 than I will for a Clydesdale, condition and weight being equal. A 
 cross of the Norman and Clydesdale makes a very good horse. 
 
 " I would advise farmers and breeders to breed to Norman and 
 Belgian horses in preference to any other breed, with reference to- 
 selling on the New York market." 
 
 F.J. BERRY, 
 
 of Nos. 2 to 10 Monroe street, Chicago, has sold about 600 horses, 
 since the first of last January, and handles all kinds of horses, French, 
 Clydesdales, English and Belgian. Said M. Berry : 
 
 " I sell more of the Normans than of any other breed, because 
 they are sought after more than the others. They are possessed of 
 more endurance than the others ; ship better, are better feeders, and 
 for all purposes are far superior to all other horses now raised. The 
 half or three-fourths grades are better for heavy draft, while the lower 
 
43 
 
 grades come in for all use. From one-eight to one-fourth grades 
 make the best driving horses and have splendid action, are finely 
 developed, and have good style ; they are all well flanked down. 
 
 " They have better feet than the Clydesdales, and last on our 
 pavements fully as well as any horses we have. 
 
 " As to Clydesdales, they, as a general thing, are good feeders. 
 They have the very best bone, and are large, rugged horses. The 
 objection to them is they are light in the flank, and a little long in 
 the back, ship poorly, and draw up in the flank. They are a big 
 improvement over the common horse, and the next best thing to the 
 Normans. The Normans have good action and are fair roadsters, 
 and bring better prices than the other breeds. 
 
 "I would advise every farmer to breed to French horses in preference 
 to any other, and I am surprised that farmers and breeders of horses 
 pay so little attention to the kind of horses they breed, when they 
 can breed Norman horses that will bring in the market when four to 
 five years old from $150 to $300 a head, I used to be prejudiced 
 against the French horses before I had handled them extensively, 
 but now I am convinced that for all purposes there is nothing equal 
 to the grade Norman." 
 
 JAMES D. BECKETT, 
 
 of No. 37 West Randolph street, Chicago, buys and sells about 2,500 
 horses annually. In war times he handled as high as 33,000 horses 
 in one year. He ssid : 
 
 " I handle more French horses than of any other breed, but handle 
 all kinds extensively, including Clydesdales, English and Belgian. I 
 handle more French horses because they are sought after more than 
 the other breeds and command higher prices They are more com- 
 pactly built, with better flanks. Their feet are good, capital, — much 
 better than those of the Clydes. 
 
 " Their prevailing color is grey, and they transmit it down to an 
 eighth blood, and where a pair of any other color will sell for $350, 
 if the color was grey they would sell for $400. 
 
 ** The French horses will last longer on our pavements than any 
 other breed. 
 
 " The heaviest lumber manufacturers buy Normans exclusively for 
 hauling logs, have done so for years, and the Norman horses are the 
 only ones that have given them the long wear of years. Before they 
 
44 
 
 used this class of horses their teams would scarcely last a single year. 
 The largest manufacturers of lumber use from loo to 200 horses. 
 
 *' The English and Belgians are pretty good work horses, but not 
 numerous in this country, and lose their breeding — not marking their 
 stock in crossing on our native mares. In one or two crosses they 
 don't show any distinct breed. 
 
 " The Clydesdales' redeeming qualities are the size of their legs and 
 their heavy bones. But their symmetry in form is deficient, most of 
 them having high necks and thin shoulders, light flanks and coarse 
 couplings, rather rough hips and backs. As an evidence of the 
 popularity of the French horses, I have shipped for Wall and Witter, 
 of Denver, Col., the largest transfer firm in the West, a car-load 
 almost every week for two years of grey Norman mares exclusively. 
 They would have nothing else, as they stand the climate and tend to 
 improve their stock in that country. 
 
 "The action of French horses is good. They are rapid steppers. 
 
 ** They are more generally bred in the West than all other classes 
 of draft horses, and, as a proof of their popularity, the supply is far 
 short of the demand this year, as we pay $200 and upwards to 
 farmers for three-year-old grade Normans, to ship to Ohio and Penn- 
 sylvania for feeders. 
 
 " And if the farmers will consult my experience, they will choose 
 the Normans in preference to all others for breeding purposes." 
 
 M. NEWGASS, 
 
 of 17 and 19 Morgan street, Chicago, has a general trade with the 
 lumbermen East and West, and in the city. He handles upwards of 
 1 ,000 horses annually. Mr. Newgass said : 
 
 *' I deal in all the various breeds of draft horses. Percherons or 
 Normans, Clydesdales, English and Belgian. I handle most of the 
 Normans because the demand for them is greater than for the other 
 breeds, and they bring the highest prices. They are more enduring 
 than the other breeds. They have good feet, which the Clydesdales 
 and Canada horses have not. They last better than any other kind 
 on our pavements, and are more attractive looking than any other 
 breed of horses. The English and Belgian horses are fine looking, 
 but they lose a little across the loin. They lose in breeding, not 
 marking their stock in crossing on our mares after one or two crosses. 
 
 "The Normans are true to work. They are broken before they 
 are ever harnessed. 
 
46 
 
 ** The Clydesdales are like a girl sixteen years old — they have no 
 waist. They haven't good feet to stand the pavements. A cross of 
 the Norman and Clydesdale makes a good horse. 
 
 " The Norman horse is a drafter, and will sell in New York, con- 
 ditions being equal, for from $50 to $75 more than a Clydesdale. 
 The Normans are preferred East and West. The Clydesdales are 
 very good selling horses, but they don't give satisfaction. I have 
 bought a great many Clydesdale horses, but never had satisfaction 
 with them ; could never make any money out of them, and frequently 
 have had to lake them back after selling them. 
 
 "The Percheron-Normans are better feeders than the Clydesdales. 
 They will make a better appearance by fifty per cent, on the same 
 amount of feed. 
 
 " From my experience, I would advise the farmers and breeders of 
 our country to breed their mares to Percheron-Norman horses in 
 preference to any other breed." 
 
 J. S. COOPER, 
 
 of 174 and 175 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, said : 
 
 *' I handle all kinds of horses — French, Clydesdales, English and 
 Belgian. I handle more of the Normans than of any other breed. 
 A grey Norman will bring more money than any other horse on our 
 market. There is more inquiry for them. 
 
 ** The Norman horse has better feet — larger feet than the Clydes- 
 dales ; and they last longer on our pavements. While the Clydesdales 
 have large and good flat bone, and plenty of hair on their legs, I find 
 them light-barreled and ewe-necked. I think they have better action 
 than the Norman horse, but that they will never do the service of the 
 Norman on our roads. If anything, I think they are inclined to be 
 fretful and not as levelheaded as the Norman horse. 
 
 " The Norman horses are the finest looking — most attractive. 
 Grey being the prevailing color of the French horses, and that being 
 the most fashionable color, it enhances the price. 
 
 " I would advise the farmers to breed their mares to Normans in 
 preference to any other breed, and to breed lots of them, as the 
 demand is far ahead of the supply." 
 
 JOSEPH LAMB. 
 
 of Michigan Avenue, ('hicago, r-iid : 
 
 ** I handle nothing but my own horses, and do not sell on commis- 
 
46 
 
 sion. Most of my trade is with lumbermen and in the city. I handle 
 more Normans than of any other breed, because they are more 
 salable and eagerly sought after, the only drawback to the business 
 now being that I cannot get them fast enough. 
 
 ** They are possessed of more endurance than other breeds ; give 
 good satisfaction and wear well ; have better feet — last better on our 
 pavements, and are more easily acclimated than any other breed. It 
 is very rarely you get a Norman horse with bad feet. They are good, 
 cheerful walkers, and more attractive and finer looking, with better 
 action, than the other large breeds. 
 
 " The Clydesdale are not an enduring cla ss of horses. The essen 
 tials of a good draft horse are good bone, good muscle and good loin. 
 They are characteristics of the French horses. The Clydes have 
 good bone, but they lack the other essentials. 
 
 " I have not had much experience with the English and Belgian 
 horses. Mine has been mostly with French horses and Clydesdales. 
 The French horses have always given satisfaction, while the Clydes- 
 dales frequently fail to do so. 
 
 " I would advise farmers, in breeding horses to sell on this market 
 to breed to French horses in preference to any others. The French 
 horses are docile, willing workers, while the Clydesdales are nervous 
 workers and are not nearly as good dispositioned horses as the 
 French. The French horses will keep on much less feed than the 
 Clydesdales. 
 
 .♦: ,■ > . 
 
41 
 
 FRENCH BREEDS OF DRAFT HORSES. 
 
 The following letter was received by the chairman of the Illinois 
 State Board of Agriculture in reply to request for an opinion as to the 
 relative merits of the French Draft Horses, and having been written 
 by Mr. Du Hays, who was formerly Master of the Horse to Louis 
 Napoleon, and now and for many year past editor of the Govern- 
 ment Stud-Book for Thoroughbred Horses, I reproduce it here, 
 believing it to be the honest opinion of a man who was in a position 
 to know the real merits of the Percheron horse : 
 
 To some people a " draft horse" is simply a "draft horse," without 
 regard to breeding or origin. To these persons there are neither 
 Percherons, nor Boulonnais, nor Cauchois, nor Bretons, but simply 
 "draft horses," bought or raised in these different districts. Other 
 people, however, hold that different and distinct types exist. I do 
 not believe that any man at all informed on the horse question, any 
 man who has given the matter any study, can seriously entertain the 
 first opinion, because any judge of a horse has only to look at these 
 animals when he will recognize the fact that they are not of the same 
 blood, configuration, exterior, features, temperament, or aptitudes. 
 For me, since you have asked me to express my sentiments, the 
 Percheron is the king of draft horses, and you should enact strict 
 rules in America to preserve this breed pure from any foreign mix- 
 ture. You should, with this breed, develop a fine and powerful 
 nursery, locating it in a district resembling as near as possible its 
 native birth place, i. e., in healthy localities, preferably dry, with a 
 soil calcareous and stony, but not clayey. Couple only the most 
 perfect types of the racCj breed in-and-in, selecting from the males 
 the most energetic animals, the best ^ -ppers, the most vigorous, and 
 best limbed ; to express myself in one word, those stallions that have 
 been tried and found the best. Advance slowly and with precaution 
 in order to avoid mistakes, by which you would loose ground and 
 destroy the good results already obtained. Always correct defects 
 by opposite qualities, strengthing these qualities by helping them 
 with like qualities. In short, preserve strength, size endurance, 
 
48 
 
 temperament, rusticity ; gentleness, and loyalty at work, at the same 
 time, giving more distinctness and fitness for agricultural work. 
 
 By this means you will obtain a conformity, i. e., fixed breed, 
 genuine and thoroughly homogeneous, invariably reproducing its 
 own typical form. On the contrary, if you cross, indiscriminately, 
 this breed with others, the result will be uncertain, as the produce 
 will lack conformation, i. e., strength, fixity, and family appearance. 
 In other words, you will lose the indelible stamp of the breed. 
 
 If you have specimens of the other breeds and wish to keep them, 
 always preserve them in the same way, homogeneous, breeding them 
 distinct, and raising them in localities as nearly as possible resem- 
 bling their native country. If you wish to give more style and finish 
 to the Percheron breed. If you wish to stamp it with a more showy 
 appearance or improve the gait, do not attempt to bring this about 
 by an infusion of thoroughbred blood, or any blood derived from it. 
 The Thorou-jhbred is too impressive, too sensitive, and too different 
 from the Percheron. Neither do you want to apply to the Norfolk Trot- 
 ter, for although the Norfolks are fine results, they are quite a recent 
 creation and therefore not at all a fixed breed. They do not invari- 
 ably reproduce themselves ; moreover, they are subject to the heredi- 
 tary defect of roaring. This disease seems inevitable, owing to their 
 conformation. Look only for improvement to the Oriental horse, 
 from which the Percheron horse is descended, as conclusively proven 
 by historical documents. 
 
 There is ample evidence that from time to time A rab blood has 
 been infused into the Percheron breed. It is a well known and 
 positive fact that previous to 1789 M. Marquis of de Mallart — friend 
 of I. Prince of Lambese, Master of the House in France — obtained 
 Arab horses to serve on his estate at Coesme, near Belleme, and 
 that his grandson, another Marquis of Mallart, obtained in 1818 and 
 following year from the Marquis of Bonneval, Director of the National 
 Studs at Le Pin, the Arab stallions Gallipoli and Godolphin to stand 
 and serve on that same estate of Coesme. If you use the Arab, use 
 him pure and not cross-bred, as has been several times the case in 
 France. 
 
 Although tli(2 real native place of the Aiab horse is in the neighbor- 
 hood of Aleppo, Bagdad, and Damascus, it is difficult to penetrate 
 and travel in those localities ; therefore the best plan is to go direct 
 to Constantinople, where are to be found some of the great Lords of 
 the Turkish Empire and eastern nobles, who, through disgrace or 
 
40 
 
 want of money, are forced to sell their studs. Never buy in Egypt, 
 where Arab horses are a comparatively recent introduction — about 
 the time of the expedition at Ibrahim into Syria, at the time of 
 Mehemet Ali. Arab horses do not seem to do well there, and I 
 have never known any Arab horses coming from Egypt to prove 
 good reproducers. 
 
 The first result obtained through the Arab crossing will certainly 
 cause some disappointment, but close your eyes on this beginning 
 and wait patiently the result of the second crossing. The Arab, 
 raised in a barren country, on poor food, when transplanted to a 
 rich and fertile soil, takes Hesh very rapidly and soon assumes some- 
 what the appearance of a sheep, the legs looking too small for the 
 body. But have patience ; with the second generation all this fat 
 disappears, the body again assumes its natural shape, the muscles 
 develop, and the animal shows a conformation of distinction, style, 
 and elegance, while retaining its gentle, honest nature and aptitude 
 for work — qualities that cannot be found in the English Thorough- 
 bred, a horse exceptionably nervous and impressionable. 
 
 I prefer the Percheron horse above all others, and I would be 
 happy to see your people buy only Percherons. The best specimens 
 are to be found around Mortagne, in the department of Orne. Those 
 around Nogent-le-Rotrou and Le Ferte-Bernard are raised in the 
 fertile valley of Huisne, and consequently are not so hardy and well 
 muscled as the others. The latter do not do as much work as those 
 raised around Mortagne, and do not have the same endurance as 
 animals that are fed and worked on oats. I prefer the first mentioned. 
 The Canton of Mondoubleau is also famed for its Percherons, but I 
 place it second to Mortagne. 
 
 I would like l^ talk longer with you upon this subject, but the 
 time is short in which to catch the mail boat with this letter, therefore 
 I must close. To be brief and avoid repetition, I beg you will read 
 pages 32 to 37 of the little book, " Culture en Famille," of which 
 you kindly accepted a copy, and wherein I speak of in-and-in 
 breeding. 
 
 I am, with very sincere respect, Mr. President, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 [Signed! Charles Du'^Hays. 
 
 Paris, Rue Casimer Perier No. 4, Aug. 17, 1887. 
 ,„ - 4 
 
50 
 
 HISTORICAL. 
 
 M. Andre Sanson, Professor of Zoology and Zootechny at tii^ 
 National College of Agriculture at Grignon and at the National 
 Institute of Agriculture, in the revised edition of 1884 of his work on 
 " The Origin of the French Races of Horses," page 95, Vol. Ill, 
 gives the following history of the Percheron breed : 
 
 The Percheron is the draft breed of the most superior quality, and 
 for this reason it enjoys a universal reputation. It possesses an 
 active, quick, energetic temperament ; the right one to pull heavy 
 weights at a quick gait. Fast steppers are common in this race. 
 
 Before the establishment of railways it was this breed that was used 
 more than any other for our omnibuses. Its zootechnic feature is 
 swiftness combined with strength. Together with this it easily 
 possesses elegance of form while preserving all its zoological features. 
 This is the reason why Percherons are sought after by all the nations 
 who are trying to improve their draft horses or to create a breed for 
 themselves. 
 
 Indeed the Percherons is one of the breeds that enjoys in Europe, 
 and even in the whole world, the highest consideration. It has, on 
 account of its incontestible merits, carried all over the world the 
 fame of the little French province where the best centre of produc- 
 tion is to be found. This fame of the Percheron horse is only to be 
 compared to that of the thoroughbred horse of England ; for the 
 Percheron is to the draft breeds what the English thoroughbred is to 
 the light breeds — a regenerator and improver. The rest of Europe 
 envies France the possession of this breed ; and this can be said in 
 speaking of the Percherons without National vanity. 
 
 Some hippologists, believing they were going to give to this breed 
 titles of nobility, have traced it as far back as the Crusade, giving it 
 thereby an Eastern origin. If, in order to be noble, it is necessary 
 to trace its descent from far distant ancestors, the race of Percheron 
 horses has nothing to fear in this respect as compared with other 
 breeds, for we possess authentic documents concerning its origin, 
 showing in the most positive manner that the Percheron type existed 
 in the very place in which it is to be found to-day during the geolo- 
 gical periods which preceded our own This Percheron breed, like 
 all others, is contemporaneous with the mammoth of alluvian times. 
 It traces back to the diluvium, and possessing such an antiquity the 
 epoch of the Crusade is, as compared with it, but of 
 
61 
 
 Reporlof the Special Committee Appointed by the 
 Illinois State Board of AKrIcnItnre. 
 
 The following letter, in which is incorporated the original questions 
 prepared by the Committee, was addressed to Monsieur Eugene 
 Tisserand, the Director of Agriculture of France, who has been at 
 the head of agricultural affairs in that country for the past twenty-five 
 years, and is probably one of the best informed men in all France 
 upon matters of this nature : 
 
 The Illinois State Board of Agriculture, of which I am President, 
 at a recent meeting appointed a committee — of which I was made 
 Chairman — for^ the purpose of ascertaining some facts (about which 
 there has been some dispute in our country) concerning the draft 
 horses of France. 
 
 It has been claimed by some that France has no separate or distinct 
 breeds of draft horses with characteristic differences ; while on the 
 other hand many persons engaged in the business of importing horses 
 from France to America have claimed, and still claim, that in your 
 country there are several distinct, well-established, and well-defined 
 breeds of draft horses, long recognized as such, and known in your 
 country as Percherons, Boulonnais, etc. Others claim that the draft 
 breeds, so called, of France trace substantially to the same original 
 elements ; that they have all been reared under similar conditions, for 
 similar purposes, and that there are no distinct breeds ; that provincial 
 names indicate provincial families of the same genera' breed, rather 
 than distinct breeds. I would thank you, therefore, if you will give 
 me explicit and definite information in response to the following 
 questions : 
 
 I St. Are there any distinct, clearly-defined, and well-established 
 breeds of draft horses in France ? If so, in what parts of France are 
 they chiefly bred, and by what means are they known in your country ? 
 2d. If you have any distinct and well-defined breeds, in addition 
 to naming them please name the order in which they each stand in 
 popular estimation among the French people. 
 
 3d. State, if you can, tor how long a period each of these breeds 
 have been recognized as such in your country. 
 
 4th. Is there now a division of opinion among those persons in 
 France who may be considered authority upon such matters as to 
 whether there are one or more breeds of draft horses in your country, 
 and what is the state of public opinion on the subject among the 
 press and people of France ? 
 
52 
 
 By the term " breed " I have intended to indicate such divisions of 
 animals with reference to characteristic differences as are generally 
 recognized, especially in Great Britain, where the draft-horse breeds 
 are recognized as Shire, or Cart horses, Clydesdale, and Suffolk 
 Punch ; and where the cattle are divided into such recognized breeds 
 as Short-horns, or Durhanis, Herefords, Devons, Sussex, Galloways, 
 Aberdeen-Angus, Ayrshires, etc. I mention these divisions to illus- 
 trate what we mean by the term " breed," in order that you may the 
 more thoroughly and completely adapt your answers to the purposes 
 of my inquiry. 
 
 Trusting that you will find leisure among your more pressing duties 
 to give this matter your attention, or at least that you will be able to 
 refer me to some recognized authority upon this subject who will be 
 able to answer fully, completely and accurately. 
 
 I have the honor to remain. 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 [Signed] Samuel Dvsart. 
 
 THE RESPONSE OF M. TISSERAND. 
 
 Hon, Satnuel Dysart, President of the Illinois State Board of 
 Agriculture, Franklin Grove, III. : 
 
 My Dear Sir, — In your letter of June 29 last you asked me a 
 number of questions relating to the races of draft horses now existing 
 in France. In answering your request I hope that the information I 
 am going to give you will enable you to fulfil your task and to give 
 to the breeding of our draft horses in the United States a reputation, 
 protecting at the same time the interests of your own country and 
 the value of our draft breeds here in France. 
 
 First of all it is important, as you suggest, to well understand the 
 meaning of the word race as used in the French language. 
 
 The following is the definition which we must bear in mind. Race 
 signifies a whole group of animals sprung from one another and 
 possessing features of conformation and aptitudes which are trans- 
 mitted with certainty from one individual to another. 
 
 The races are therefore, in the same kind of animals, modifications 
 of the type of the kind which have become permanent by the con- 
 tinued action of the causes which originally produced them. 
 
53 
 
 Every living being develops itself under two kinds of modifying 
 influences : First, the characteristics transmitted by the parents ; 
 second, the conditions of the surroundings in which the animal is 
 born, developed and matured. 
 
 Characteristic features transmitted by the parents are important 
 factors in the question of races. To obtain a fine individual is 
 nothing if the offspring does not inherit the qualities of the parents ; 
 but we must also admit that a vicious education and conditions 
 unfavorable to the development may destroy the best hereditary pre- 
 dispositions. We must therefore, in raising animals, observe at the 
 same time these two series of influences. 
 
 It is undeniable that all organized beings are inclined to resemble 
 their p.irents ; hence the more the conformation of the parents is alike 
 the more their produce will ie apt to reproduce this conformation. In 
 transmitting their conformation to their produce, the parents being 
 alike, they necessarily transmit their own special aptitudes, such as an 
 aptitude for the development of strength and speed in horses, milk 
 qualities in cows, fine wool for sheep, fattening qualities in swine, etc. 
 
 The uniformity of character, conformation, and aptitude in large 
 groups of animals is therefore a characteristic sign of the purity of a 
 race. The more the animals have reproduced themselves with the 
 same characters, from generation to generation, the more the race is 
 fixed and established. 
 
 A race can, therefore, only be established as the result of the con- 
 tinuous and extended accidental or deliberate action of the influences 
 which have produced it, when each individual will resemble its 
 parent, just as the proof printed from a stereotyped page resembles 
 all the copies printed before. 
 
 These conditions show that in order to preserve and improve a 
 race the important points are : First, to select as reproducers only 
 animals that come the nearest to the type of the race, and which will 
 best fulfil the aim and purpose of the race; second, to have a book 
 of record by means of which the pedigrees of the animals can be 
 traced. The longer this book of record shall have been established 
 the greater will be the guarantee to the purchaser of the purity and 
 fixity of the race. 
 
 As you know, a race is not the result solely of natural influences. 
 Man, to meet the exigencies of his wants, may exercise his action so 
 as to modify the typical features of a group of animals by means of 
 selection, food, etc., but he cannot succeed in fixing and establishing 
 
54 
 
 a race except by means of prolonged action during and through a. 
 great number of generations ; fixity is only possible under this 
 condition. 
 
 These considerations bring me naturally to demonstrate to you that 
 the word race, in French, in speaking of our domesticated animals, 
 is equivalent to the English word breed. 
 
 Now I will answer your direct question : 
 
 I St. Are there in France distinct breeds of draft horses, clearly 
 defined breeds, and recognized as such ? The answer to this ques- 
 tion is, yes. Our two most important breeds are the Boulonnais 
 and the Percheron. 
 
 THE BOULONNAIS BREED. 
 
 1 
 
 Ihe Boulonnais breed has for birthplace the neighborhood of Bou- 
 logne-sur-Mer in the department of Pas de Calais, in the localities 
 known as the " High Boulonnais," " Low Boulonnais," and "Calaisis." 
 We also find this breed in the districts of Bethune and St. Omer. 
 The fillies remain in these districts, but the stud colts when six to 
 eight months old are taken into the districts of Arras, St. Pol, Abbe- 
 ville, and Peranne in the department of Somme, where they are 
 raised. Other stud colts cross over the river Somme to go into the 
 Vimeau district in Caux, Normandy, and are also scattered over the 
 departments of Oise, Aisne, Eure et Loir, and Seine Inferieure. 
 
 The Boulonnais breed is a breed whose creation dates a very long 
 way back. Its origin is lost in antiquity. It has many centuries of 
 known existence. Its characteristic features are well defined The 
 Boulonnais horse represents the perfect type of the heavy draft — 
 powerful, fit for heavy loads at a walking pace. It has a veritable 
 athletic constitution, and is as gentle as it is strong ; moreover, it is 
 active and agile in spite of its enormous weight. In the Boulonnais 
 the foundation is equal to the form. Height, i meter 66 ; large 
 forehead j arches of the eye not very salient, orbit small ; short face 
 with straight chanfrin ; nostrils somewhat closed ; small mouth ; 
 strong lower jaw ; short ear, standing erect ; eye well open and 
 bright ; strong thick neck ; shoulders deep, appearing short; mane 
 bushy and double, seldom long ; breast broad and salient ; withers 
 low, with muscular bunches on either side ; back a little low ; loin 
 short and full ; hips short and round, strong and muscular, projecting^ 
 and divided by a furrow ; the whole body is thick, rounded, and low 
 
55 
 
 down ; shoulders slanting, fine, and level at the commencement of 
 the neck ; strong limbs, large, and powerful, articulations ; short 
 and solid cannon bones ; good feet ; tail bushy but short ; color 
 either light or dark bay, roan, slaty, i^ray or dapple gray. The Bou- 
 lonnais breed form an aggregation of about 400,000 head, not count- 
 ing numerous animals scattered about outside of the Boulonnais 
 centre. The breed is divided into several varieties, according to the 
 different countries, under the names of Bourbourienne race, Picardie 
 race, and Cauchois race. Shades only separate these diverse 
 branches. The Boulonnais breed becomes Bourbourienne breed 
 when raised in Seine Inferieure ; it is the same breed a little lighter 
 and having a more active step. 
 
 There now exists a stud-book for the Boulonnais breed, which 
 will preserve and improve the breed in all its purity. 
 
 4 
 
 THE PER^CHERON BREED. 
 
 This breed is one of the most firmly fixed and well established ; it 
 is as much so as the Clydesdale breed and the Suffolk Punch breed. 
 At the time of J.ouis XIV. the Percheron horse was considered as an 
 animal possessing great excellence, and capable of travelling long 
 distances at a trot, drawing a heavy load behind. 
 
 Its characteristic features are well defined and possess a uniformity 
 which is the irue indication of the breed, as you have been able to 
 see for yourself at the concours of Mortagne. 
 
 Considered in an anatomical point of view, and referring to the 
 cranium, we ascertain that the Boulonnais has a brachycephalous, and 
 the Percheron a dolychocephalous ci-anium. 
 
 The Percheron breed has the following characteristic features : 
 Color generally dapple gray ; forehead narrow. and slightly convex 
 between the arches of the eyes, which are salient ; long face, with 
 narrow chanfrin, straight at the base, but slightly arched (Roman) 
 toward the end of the nose ; crest zigmotic and prominent ; nostrils 
 open and moveable; thick lips; large mouth ; cheeks medium size and 
 round ; ears a trifie long but erect; eye quick; eyelids somewhat 
 heavy ; strong neck and shoulders ; mane sufficiently bushy ; chest 
 broad ; whithers high and thick ; shoulder long and sloping ; breast 
 broad and deep ; tail set high and bushy ; hips salient ; strong limbs, 
 solid articulation ; cannon bone somewhat long, but clean, without 
 hair. 
 
66 
 
 It is the model draft horse ; it was formerly the stage-coach horse, 
 and the horse used on diligences. StaMstics for the past twenty 
 years show that the Paris Omnibus Company have purchased 65.31 
 per cent, of Percherons for use on their omnibuses. 
 
 The Percheron is active, energetic, and a quick mover ; it is the 
 type of draft horse for carrying weight with great rapidity. 
 
 The birthplace of the Percheron breed is to be found in the neigh- 
 borhood of Mortagne, Belleme, St. Calais, Mondou 'eau, and Court- 
 alain; the colts are more specially raised in the departments ofOrne, 
 Loir et Cher, Eure et Loir, and Sarthe. Illiers is a centre, as well 
 as Mondoubleau in Loir et Cher, where Percheron horses are to be 
 found. 
 
 For some years there has existed a stud-book for the Percheron 
 breed, which is a great guarantee for buyers. 
 
 Besides these two great and fine breeds whose characteristic features 
 are well defined, we possess in France other well established draft 
 breeds whose characters are transmitted from generation to genera- 
 tion. These are the Breton breed, the Ardennais breed, the Berri- 
 chonne breed, and the Poitevin breed. 
 
 The Breton breed is a breed of light draft, smaller in size than the 
 Percheron. The principle centres of production of this breed are 
 the districts of Brest and Morlaix (Finistere), between Lamion and 
 St. Malo, in the department of Cotes du Nord, and around Le Con- 
 quet. The finest Breton horses are to be found in the canton of 
 Leon. The following are the features of the breed : — Cranium 
 brachycephalous ; forehead square and flat ; strait head ; nose often 
 flat; height i meter 55, reaching sometimes as much as i meter 60, 
 and sometimes as low as i meter 48 ; color gray, sometimes roan, 
 seldom bay ; heavy coat of hair ; croup very shoit ; shoulder bony 
 at the top and fleshy at the point where joined to fore arm ; cannon 
 bone sufficiently strong ; feet solid and horny ; nostrils open ; mouth 
 small ; ears short, thick, and erect ; eye bright ; physiognomy ex- 
 pressive. This is an excellent race of small-sized, active draft horses, 
 that will in time acquire greater importance and which must be kept 
 pure. 
 
 The Ardennais breed differs very plainly from the preceding. 
 The ty^ f the French Ardennais is much smaller than the Belgian 
 Ardennais. It is characterized by a large foreheaa, brachycephalous ; 
 arches of the eye salient ; chanfrin strongly depressed ; lower jaw 
 wide and strong ; head short, energetic, and looking wild ; com- 
 
51 
 
 • 
 mon appearance ; neck and shoulders thick and strongly arched at 
 the top and abundantly covered with hair ; back and loin short ; hips 
 salient and croup rounded off ; chest dcej) ; shoulders long ; limbs 
 bony, solid and well articulated, with great strenj.' i and rusticity ; 
 ■color chestnut. This breed furnishes good horses for tillery purposes. 
 They are raised more particularly in the districts of Rethel and 
 Fouquiers, in the department of Ardennais. The people are trying 
 to improve the breed by keeping it pure. 
 
 T/te Poitevin breed is a breed that in its general development 
 comes near the Boulonnais breed, only it is generally bay in color, 
 while gray predominates among the Boulonnais. The Poitevin 
 breed is raised in the countrv around thi mouth of the rivers Loir 
 and Gironde, in the marshy lands of Poitou and Vendee. It is likely 
 the same breed as the Boulonnais, only through the effects of the 
 surroundings and of time (250 years) it has taken clearly defined 
 characteristics. It has a more common appearance, the limbs are 
 heavier, and it has become lymphatic ; it is the breed for raising 
 mules to perfection. It was during the time of Henry IV. that Bou" 
 lonnais horses were introduced into the marshes of Vendee. 
 
 The Berrichonne breed belongs to the centre of France, taking its 
 name from the country where it is raised, viz : Berry. It is also a 
 draft breed, but not widely spread. The Paris Omnibus Company 
 buys yearly about six per cent, of these horses. 
 
 All these breeds have fixed and well-defined characteristic features. 
 They are the produce of time, surroundings, and efforts of man. 
 Attempts were made about twenty or thirty years ago to cross them, 
 but fortunately the breeders had sounder ideas, and at the present 
 time they all understand the value of preserving in all their purity 
 our excellent breeds of draft horses, whose origin goes back for 
 many centuries. 
 
 ,It is not without impunity and without cause that the horse, find- 
 ing itself in different localities, with different needs, has modified 
 itself ; has, so to say, transformed itself according to the richness and 
 typography of the soil that fed it. The successive generations have 
 fixed the features derived from these ever -acting influences, and we 
 must respect this work by continually improving the breeds by a 
 rational selection of pure reproducers. Very fortunately the breeders 
 of Boulonnais and Perche have at all times resisted the attempts 
 made at different times to cross their breeds. They have preserved 
 
58 
 
 their breeds pure from any mixture, and they increase to-day the 
 guarantees of purity by established-sti ' books. 
 
 It is, therefore, in the country of origin of the Percheron and Bou- 
 lonnais breeds that you must go in order to procure reproducers, 
 sure and possessing guarantees. You must keep away from doubt- 
 ful producing districts. Trust to our older experience. It is by 
 selection, by always procuring reproducers pure and guaranteed 
 from the districts of origin, that you will establish in your country 
 draft breeds on which you can depend, both for the present and for 
 the future. 
 
 In conclusion let me reiterate, dear sir, the assurance of my senti- 
 ments of high consideration. 
 
 [Signed] E. TISSERAND, 
 
 Councillor of State, Director of Agriculture of France. 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
59 
 
 PEDIGREES. 
 
 It will be observed in the perusal of this Catalogue 
 that we have taken special pains to display the pedi- 
 grees of our animals, and yet to do so in as brief a 
 manner as possible consistent with an intelligent 
 showing. 
 
 We have endeavoured to present the matter in such 
 a manner as to encourage the study of the pedigrees 
 by those who are not interested in the matter as 
 breeders, but who may feel inclined to do so for enter- 
 tainment merely, and as making an object lesson in 
 the most advanced system of high-class breeding, and 
 showing the principles which obtain at the present 
 time, the working of which has done so much for the 
 comfort and happiness of mankind, and which is one of 
 the most distinguished marks of industrial science and 
 progress. 
 
 In relation to the noble animal under consideration,, 
 it has been the means of preserving and perpetuating 
 the finest types of the splendid old race of the Perche, 
 a race which by its size, its powerful muscular strength, 
 though elegant build, shows it has been improved by 
 judicious breeding for centuries, and its rich and well 
 proportioned forms with its immunity from disease 
 now ranks as the finest in the world — as the draught 
 horse. 
 
 It is well that the people demand pedigrees, as every 
 intelligent and successful breeder is doing at the present 
 time. 
 
60 
 
 The fabulous prices sometimes paid for thorough- 
 bred horses, the practice of the most scientific breeders, 
 the teachings of the agricultural press, all writers on 
 heredity, the large sums of money spent annually for 
 the preservation of genealogical records, and, as indi- 
 cated above, the demands of public sentiment all indi- 
 cate the great value attached to pedigrees of the 
 animals used in breeding. The breeder of race horses 
 has learned from experience that the sire must have a 
 good pedigree, must be descended from a race of 
 winners to get winners. The successful breeder of 
 draught horses is no exception, and observes the now 
 almost universal practice of breeding by selection — a 
 practice based upon true principles. 
 
 The laws of heredity are the same throughout all 
 animal life, and the practice which long experience has 
 demonstrated to be the correct one in the breedino- of 
 running horses and trotters is equally applicable to the 
 breedinof of draught horses. 
 
 So long as half-breed horses, as well as those of un- 
 known breeding, are purchased in France at work- 
 horse prices and represented in this country as of equal 
 value to the finest and purest bred horses of France — 
 animals with established pedigrees tracing to the most 
 noted horses — so long will there be a powerful in- 
 centive to the " speculators " to ignore pedigrees. 
 The only safe course is for buyers to demand the pedi- 
 grees. All individuals or organizations that endeavour 
 to obstruct and destroy the usefulness and value of 
 pedigrees published in the stud books of France are 
 most certainly actuated by selfish motives. 
 
 The Societe Hippique Percheronne, embracing in 
 its membership several hundred of the most prominent 
 
61 
 
 breeders and stallions of the Perche, by the pubhca- 
 tion of a stud book under the authority of the French 
 Government, with strict rules of registration, as French 
 breeders have assured to themselves the same benefits 
 of improvement in quality, increase in value and pro- 
 tection against fraud, that has been realized by the 
 breeders of horses and cattle through the establish- 
 ment of stud and herd books for their respective breeds. 
 We will have before long a Canadian Percheron 
 Stud-Book as they have one in the United States. 
 
 V.'\ 
 
\ 
 
 62 
 
 THE PERCHERON STUD-BOOK OF FRANCE. 
 
 Published by authority of the French Government, under the 
 
 AUSPICES OF THE SoClfeTfe HiPPIQUE PeRCHERONNE. 
 
 NOOKNT-LK-ROTROU ; KURB-ET-LoiR. 
 
 The following is a literal translation of the Rules : 
 
 Article I. We hereby form ourselves into a society under the 
 name of " Societe Hippique Percheronne," with headquarters at 
 Nogent-le-Rotrou. The society has for object the preservation of 
 the origin by genealogy of the Percheron race. 
 
 Art. II. The duration of this society is unlimited. The number 
 of its members is also unlimited. The president, the secretary- 
 treasurer and members of the committee are elected for four years. 
 
 Art. III. Whosoever adheres to these rules is a member, pro- 
 vided he has paid an extrance fee of ten francs to the society. 
 
 Art. IV. All registrations shall be made by the owner of the 
 animal on a blank form of entry, which shall give a full description 
 of such animal, genealogy, proving satisfactorily pure Percheron 
 breeding. This blank will be signed by the mayor of the commune, 
 who will attest that the declaration is sincere and true, in witness 
 whereof he shall attach his official seal. This entry shall be for- 
 warded to the secretary of the society, who shall transcribe the same 
 and return the form to the owner of the animal, which shall constitute 
 his receipt. 
 
 Art. V. For each registration a fee of five francs must be paid, 
 which amount may be sent by postal order or otherwise with the form 
 of entry as specified in Article IV. 
 
 Art. VI. All applications for entry not accompanied by the entry 
 fee of five francs shall be refused. 
 
 Art. VII. No person shall be < ^titled to enter any animal for 
 registration who has not conformed to Article III. 
 
 Art. VIII. All animals that are not recognized as pure Percherons 
 
G3 
 
 shall be refuscid registration, and if it is proven that any member has 
 illegally registered an animal, he shall be excluded from membership 
 of the society, but shall have the privilege of an appeal before the 
 general assembly, provided he shall forward to the president of the 
 society his grievance in writing fifteen days before the meeting of the 
 assembly. 
 
 Art, XIV. All questions shall be decided by a majority of the 
 members of the committee, but in case of a tie the president's vote 
 shall be decisive. 
 
 Art. XV. A general meeting of the society shall take place in 
 the first part of the month of June of every year. 
 
 Art. XIX. An alphabetical record shall be kept by the secretary 
 of all entries, and any member wanting a duplicate certificate, shall 
 be entitled to the same upon the payment of one franc. 
 
 Art. XX. The proceedings of the society shall be reported on 
 annually by the president and secretary to a general meeting of the 
 society. All entries for registration must be made before the first 
 day in February in each year in order to secure their publication that 
 year. 
 
 Art. XXI. No alterations to these rules can be made except at a 
 general meeting of the society. A copy of these rules and regula- 
 tions is to be printed and distributed to all members. 
 
 After January i, 1885, no animal shall be eligible for entry whose 
 sire and dam have not been previously recorded. 
 
 Previous to the publication of each volume of the stud-book the 
 committee shall meet and carefully scrutinize each and every entry, 
 and when they are satisfied that all are correct, they shall issue a 
 certificate to that effect, which must be signed by every member of 
 the committee and published in the current number of the stud-book. 
 
 /»».>■■',"-■■■■ .- "' 
 
u3 
 
 
 \ 
 
66 
 
 LIST OK PRIZKS 
 
 r . . OBTAINED BY 
 
 HORSES OF THE HARAS NATIONAL 
 
 IM 1888 AND 1880. 
 
 JOLY (15168). ' 
 
 Exhibition of the County of Hochelaga, September, i888, draught 
 stallion, two-year old, any breed. First prize. 
 
 Central Canada Exhibition (Ottawa), September, i888. First 
 prize and diploma, two-year old Percheron. 
 
 Sherbrooke Exhibition, 18S9, three-year old Percheron. First prize. 
 
 BERTRAIVO (18371). 
 
 Exhibition of the County of Hochelaga, September, 1888, four- 
 ycar old stallion, any breed except Clydesdale. First prize. 
 
 ROI BE niONON (1400).» 
 
 Exhibition of the County of Hochelaga (Quebec), September, 
 
 1888, heavy draught horse, any breed, five-year old. First prize. 
 
 BONTEMPN (20888). 
 
 Exhibition of Sherbrooke (Quebec), September, 1889, three-year 
 old Percheron stallion. First prize and honorable mention. , 
 Exhibition of the County of Hochelaga (Quebec), September, 
 
 1889, three-year old Percheron. First prize. 
 
 PAQVEKfiTlK (17777) ANB GEORGETTE (20507). 
 
 Exhibition of Hochelaga, September, 1889, best team of draught 
 mares. First prize. 
 
 5 . • 
 
66 
 
 r 
 
 FRENCH COACHERS. 
 
 HOI^OPHERNE. 
 
 Central Canada Exhibition (Ottawa), carriage stallion, three-year 
 old. First prize. 
 
 Exhibition of Sherbrooke (Quebec), 1889, four-year old Norman 
 stallion. First prize. 
 
 MARaVIS DE PVISAY£. 
 
 Exhibition of Sherbrooke (Quebec), 1889, three-year old Norman 
 stallion. First prize and diploma. 
 
 Exhibition of Laprairie, September, 1889, French coach, any age. 
 First prize. 
 
 [The reader may judge of the excellence of our horses by the 
 number of first prizes carried off in so short a time at all the principal 
 Exhibitions of the Dominion. The number of other prizes are so 
 large that we refrain from inserting the list.] 
 
 PERCHERON •STALLIONS. 
 
 (No. 25.) JOIiT, Wo. 15168. 
 
 Recorded in the Percheron Stud Book of France. 
 
 * ''■'.' 
 
 Black; 16 hands 2 in. ; weight, 1900 lbs ; foaled May 7, 1886; 
 mported by the Haras National, May, 1888 ; bred by M. Briffault, 
 Canton de Mamers, Orne, France. 
 
 Sire Myrama (15 166), belonging to M. Renou ; he by Vidocq, 
 belonging to M. Olivier. 
 
 Dam Garote (15167), belonging to M. Briffault ; she by Vidocq, 
 belonging to M. Desjouis. 
 
 Most extraordinary stallion, well known in the Province of 
 Quebec ; has won the first prizes nearly everywhere exhibited. 
 I St prize, County of Hochelaga, Septemlver, 1888, draught stallion, 
 any breed, two year old. Diploma and first prize, Central Canada 
 Exhibition (Ottawa), Se])tember, 1888, two-year old Percheron. ist 
 prize, Sherbrooke Exhibition, 1889, Percheron stallion, three-year 
 old. 
 
67 
 
 (No. 26.) BERTRA]VD, No. 18871. 
 
 Recorded in the Peicheron Stud Book of France. 
 
 Dapple grey; i6 hands 2 in. ; weight, 1600 lbs ; foaled April 15, 
 1885; imported by the Haras National, May, 1888; bred by M. 
 Olivier, Coulonges, s. Sarthe, Orne, France. 
 
 Sire BoN-CoeuR (2544), he by Selim II., he by Selim (749), he 
 by PoRTHOS, belonging to M. Fromentin. 
 
 Dam Marqot (163 12), the by Selim (749), he by Porthos, 
 beloAging to M. Fromentin. 
 
 Very fine specimen of the Percheron trotter ; has .proven himself 
 a very superior foal raiser, ist prize, County of Hochelaga (Quebec), 
 September, 1888, four-year old stallion, any breed but Clydesdale. 
 
 (No. 27.) BEGriW, No. 208S0. 
 
 ■ " ' Recorded in the Percheron Stud Book of France. 
 
 Black; 16 hands; weight, 1600 lbs.; foaled April 21, 1886; 
 imported by the Haras National, July, 18S9 ; bred by M. Dupont, 
 Mesnil Evreux, Orne, France. 
 
 Sire Bayard (2376), he by Cheri II. (7615), he by Rustique, 
 belonging to M. Marchand. * 
 
 Dam Cheri (5657), she out of Cheri (791), he by Favori, 
 belonging to M. Dupont. Clean fine head, long neck, short back, 
 well built body. 
 
 The best Percheron trotter in the Haras. . * . i 
 
 (No. 28.) BONTillllPS, .\o. 20838. 
 
 Recorded iu the Percheron Stud Book of France. 
 
 Black ; star on the forehead ; three white stockings ; 16 hands 2 in. ; 
 weight, 1680 lbs; foaled April 7, 1886; imported by the Haras 
 National, July, 1889 ; bred by M, Dupont, Mesnil Evreux, Orne, 
 France. 
 
 Sire Coco (5754), belonging to M. Croise ; he by Miramar, be- 
 longing to M. Lalouet. 
 
 Dam Coquette (17923) ; she out of Coco (5754), he by 
 Miramar, belonging to M. Lalouet. Honorable mention, and 
 I St prize, Sherbrooke, September, 1889, Percheron stallion, three-year 
 old. ist prize, County of Hochelaga, September, 1889, three-year 
 old Percheron. 
 
68 
 
 * PERCHERON STALLIONS. 
 
 (No. 29.) VLKICH. No. 15211. 
 
 Recorded in the Percheron Stud Book of France. 
 
 Black; foaled 1884; weight, 1670 lbs ; imported, August, i888, 
 by the Haras National. 
 
 Sire Marquis (641 i), he by Cheri (791), he by Favori. 
 Dam Coquette (15210), she by Favori II., he by Favori I. 
 
 (No. 30.) HARDI, No. 11078. 
 
 Recorded in the Percheron Stud Book of France. 
 
 Iron gray; foaled 1884; weight, 1650 lbs ; imported, May, 1888, 
 he by the Haras National. 
 
 Sire ViGouREux (211), he by Vigoureux, he by Producteur. 
 Dam Muscadine, she by Miramar. 
 
 (No. 31.) tiTEN TOR. No. 11457. 
 
 Recorded in the Perchoron Stud Book of France. 
 
 Dapple iron grey ; foaled 1884 ; weight, 1650 lbs. 
 Sire Monette (7185), he by Vidocq (732), he by Bayard 
 (1385), he by Coco II. (714.) 
 Dam Pelette (10523), she by Selim (749), he by Porthos. 
 
 (No. 32.) SENATEVR, No. 3381. 
 
 Recorded in the Percheron Stud Book of France. 
 
 Dapple grey ; foaled 1881 ; weight, 1S50 lbs; imported, May, 1888, 
 by the Haras National. 
 
 Sire Picador, he by Favori. 
 Dam Bleue. 
 
 (No. 33 ) BOC4|l)IIil.ON, No. 1915. 
 
 Recorded in the Percheron Stud Book of France. 
 
 Iron grey ; foaled 1885 ; weight, 1630 lbs ; imported, August, 1888, 
 by the Haras National. 
 
 Sire Vermouth (2424), he by Chalange (758), he by Decide 
 (720), he by Superior (730), he by Favori I. (7x1). 
 
 Dam Mignonne, she by Romulus, he by Mareuil. 
 
69 
 
 (No. 34.) SATAN, No. 1S81S. • 
 
 Recorded in the Percheron Stud Book of France. 
 
 Gray; foaled 1883; height, 15 hands 3 in.; weight, 1600 lbs; 
 imported. May, i888, by the Haras National. 
 
 Sired by Romeo (2378), he by Cheri (791), he by Favori I. 
 Dam by Boulktte (14663), she by Parisien. 
 
 BRETON STALLION. 
 
 (No. 35.) ROI D£ BIONON, No. 1499. 
 
 Recorded in the Stud Book of French Draught Horses. 
 
 Dapple grey ; 15 hand? 3 in. ; weight, 1600 lbs ; imported by the 
 Haras National, August, 1S88 ; bred by Baron de Grancey. 
 
 Sire Coco. • 
 
 Dam Fanchette (Socidte des Agriculteurs de France). 
 
 Very fast trotter, ist prize, Hochelaga (Quebec), heavy draught 
 horse any breed, five-year old. 
 
 PERCHERON MARES. 
 
 (No. 36.) FANCHETTE, No. 15107. 
 
 Recorded in the Percheron Stud Book of France. 
 
 « 
 
 Dapple grey ; 16 hands 2 in. ; weight, 1650 lbs ; foaled April 13, 
 1883 ; imported May, 1888, by the Haras National; bred by M. 
 Chevalier, Loges, Orne. 
 
 Sire Marquis (641 i), he by Cheri (791), he by Favori, belong- 
 ing to M. Dupont. 
 
 Dam Mariette, belonging to M. Chevalier. 
 
 First pri^e and grand (liploma as breeding heavy draught mare, 
 Sociiti des Agriculteurs de France, 1888. • 
 
.10 
 (No. 37.) PAarERETTE, 3fo. 17777. 
 
 Recorded in the Percheron Stud Book of France. 
 
 Sorrel; 15 hands 2 in. ; weight, 1410 lbs; foaled June 9, 1882 ; 
 imported, July, 1889, by the Haras National ; bred by Baron de St. 
 Preux, Boisbulant, Orne. 
 
 Sire Coco, belonging to M. Jousselin. 
 
 Dam Belle Rose, belonging to Baron de St. Preux. 
 
 ist prize, Hochelaga (Quebec), September, 1889, the best team of 
 Percheron mares.' 
 (No. 38.) OEOROETTK, No. 30567. 
 
 Recorded in the Percheron Stud Book of France. 
 
 Chesnut ; 15 hands 3 in. ; weight, 1380 lbs ; foaled April 5, 1885 ; 
 imported, July, 1889, by the Haras National ; bred by Baron de St. 
 Preux, Boisbulant, Orne. 
 
 Sire Docile (5632), he by Cheri C791), he by Favori, belong- 
 ing to M. Dupont. ' '' 
 
 Dam Paquerette (17777), belonging to Baron de St. Preux, 
 out of Coco, belonging to M. Jousselin. 
 
 I St prize, Hochelaga (Quebec), September, 1889, best team of 
 
 Percheron mares. 
 
 •..'■■ . ■ ' ^ 
 
 (No. 104.) TENVS, ITo. 680. "',-■. 
 
 I. « 
 
 Stud Book des Agnrulteurs de France. , , 
 
 Imported, May, 1888, by the Haras National ; foaled 1882 ; bred 
 by M. Cottinet sired by Brilliant dam by Frisette. 
 
 PEROHEROIS' HORSES' SPEED. 
 
 ■ Under the saddle ; not on the race track, but on public thorough- 
 fare. 
 
 Two miles and a-half, Langon's races, 1865. 
 
 Sarah, Percheron mare, 7 min. 35 sec. 
 
 65 horses, average time, 9 min. 15 sec. 
 
 Three miles and a-half and 1-16, Illiers' races. 
 
 Bichette, Percheron mare, 12 min. 
 
 Percheron, with a dog cart ; not on race track, but on public 
 thoroughfare. • 
 
71 
 
 One mile, Bethune's races : La Grise, 4 min. 2 sec. 
 
 Two miles, Illiers' races, 1865 : Achille, 7 min. 17 sec. 
 
 Two miles and a-half, lUiers' races, Viqoureux, 8 min. 30 sec. 
 
 Two raiies and three-quarters, Rouen's races : Decid6e, with a 
 load of 400 lbs., 10 min. 49 sec. 
 
 At Fleury-sur-Andelle, Eure, M. Courturier's grey mare made 54 
 miles and a-half the first day in 4 hours, i min. and 35 sec, and the 
 second day in 4 hours, i min. and 30 sec, without whip, on the 
 public road between Lyons-la- Forest and Pont Audemer. 
 
 For performing the race, she had, when coming back to pass her 
 stables and leave them behind without stopping. 
 
 i>t 
 
 ■ THE FRENCH COACH HORSE. 
 
 HIS ORIGIN, breeding, AND EXCELLENCIES. 
 
 No animal so nearly approaches the human family in its intelli- 
 gence as the highly-bred horse, and none so strongly appeals to the 
 heart of man when suffering or misfortne overtake him. The love 
 of his horse is the controlling power that governs the Bedouin of the 
 desert, and in another form it exerts almost as much influeuce upon 
 men in all ages and conditions. From the king to the jieasant the 
 love of a perfect horse is a bond of sympathy. 
 
 The beautiful French Coach horse of France, so recently intro- 
 duced here is a revelation to the educated eyes of American horse- 
 men ; and they bow in admiration of the far-seeing policy of their 
 sister republic, which, under the direction of its Government has 
 devised so thorough a plan for uniting and developing all the valuable 
 and most desirable qualities of the very best breeds, until it ha*given 
 to the world a race of horses that possess to a degree of perfection 
 never before attained, size, style, and action. For more than a 
 thousand years the history of the French horse has been identical 
 with the history of the nation, and amid all the turmoil of its political 
 strife, the safety and improvement of the horse has been a prevailing 
 sentiment. No other nation has taken so much interest in the im. 
 provement 01 this noble animal, and this generation is reaping the 
 reward of the " bread cast upon the waters " by its predecessors. 
 
 As early as 1(^65 the Government studs were permanently estab- 
 lished, and from that time down to the present day the horse-breeding 
 
12 
 
 • 
 
 of France has been reduced to a science. Under the fostering care 
 and patronage of the Government, which has generously and Hberally 
 provided for every contingency, the raising of high-class horses of the 
 different breeds has become a possibility. In 1 7 89 there were in France 
 3,239 approved and Government stallions, and from 181 5 to 1833 the 
 Government bought for service in their studs 1,902 stallions. Of these 
 223 came from Arabia and other foreign countries, 853 from the 
 northern ^ apartments of France, and 826 were selected from the 
 finest of the improved breeds from Government stallions. In 1831 a 
 notable advance was made toward the improvement of the light-breeds 
 suitable for coach and cavalry purposes, which was followed in 1833 
 by a royal decree establishing a Government stud book for the pre- 
 servation of pedigrees, and this was placed under the supervision of 
 
 the Minister of Agriculture. After the establishment of this stud 
 book, more critical judgment was exercised in the selection of stallions 
 
 for Government use, and a decided improvement has taken place in 
 the character of the horses of the entire country, between i j,ooo and 
 1 2,000 owned by the Government having been recorded. No animal 
 is given a number unless belonging to the Governmant studs. In 1870 
 the management of the Government haras, or studs, was vested in the 
 Department of Agriculture and Commerce under the immediate 
 supervision of a director-general, eight inspectors, twenty-six sub- 
 directors, t6n superintendents and twenty-six veterinaries. In 1874 the 
 number of stallions owned by the Government of F'rance was ordered 
 increased 200 per year until they should reach 2,500, and the credit 
 necessary for prizes awarded to breeding animals should reach 
 1,500,000 per annum, and a special sum of 50,000 francs per year 
 was granted to make experiments with Arabs and Anglo-Arabs, and 
 for this purpose sixty finely bred mares were placed at the haras of 
 PompSdour. 
 
 The French Government has kept one central object constantly in 
 view, the encouragement of the people by every possible means to 
 adopt a higher standard of breeding ; furnishing them the means to 
 accomplish this by introducing into every locality the finest stallions 
 of the different breeds, which are offered for use at a nominal service 
 fee. These consist, first, of stallions owned by the Government ; 
 second, stallions belonging to private individuals, inspected and 
 approved by the Government, such approved stallions receiving from 
 the Government from 300 to 3,000 francs per annum., according to 
 their breeding and superior excellence ; third, authorized stallions — 
 
t8 
 
 animals that by Government inspection are pronounced of good 
 quality and worthy of pubHc patronage. To further prevent the use 
 of inferior individuals a decree was issued in 1885 excluding from 
 public service all stallions not authorized by the Government. 
 
 The valuable qualities claimed for the French Coach horses over 
 those of other coach breeds are based upon a system of breeding not 
 possessed by any other race. Instead of being the product of a multi- 
 plicity of ideas, the French Coach horse has been developed under 
 the exclusive guidance of the Director-General of the National studs 
 of France ; and as those officials are educated in the same schools, 
 trained in the same system, and taught to seek the same qualities and 
 form, it is easy to understand how such great perfection and uniformity 
 in this breed has been attained. These horses are' the descendants 
 of the Arab, the famous breed of the Merlerault and the French and 
 English Thoroughbreds. The uniting and concentrating of all t)ie 
 valuable qualities of these breeds through so many generations, has 
 develojied a race of such size and wonderful endurance, combined with 
 perfect symmetry and graceful carriage, that our idea of perfection in 
 a coach horse has been attained, while their breeding assures their 
 power to transmit these qualities to their offspring. The most famous 
 trotting families of this breed are the result of the mingling of the 
 blood of the Norfolk trotters, a breed that through imported Bel- 
 founder has given to American trotters much of their renown imported 
 Phenomenon in France corresponding to imported Belford in the 
 United Slates. 
 
 No other coach horse can approach them in the combination of 
 size and stylish action, for though they may never attain as high a 
 rate of speed as the ligh-weight American trotter, yet their achieve- 
 ments over the inferior tracks of their native country, in their three 
 to seven miles races, stamp their endurance as something wonderful 
 — a quality that can only be obtained by a horse of their size. 
 
 Many of these horses weigh from 1,300 to 1,400 pounds, and yet 
 are as graceful as a fawn and beautiful as a picture. 
 
 In order to secure the very finest, we make our purchases in the 
 summer, before the government stallions are selected, thus securing 
 the choicest of every year's production, the government always buy- 
 ing three-year olds. AVhile this system has the advantage of securing 
 the very best animals, it also necessitates the payment of larger prices 
 in order to obtain them. This course indicat'^s sound business 
 
14 
 
 policy ; for our patrons are not of a class who will be satisfied with 
 inferior animals though purchased at lower j)rices. « 
 
 Only French Coachers of the best breeding, with well-established 
 pedigrees, combined with superior individual merit, should be im- 
 ported — and for them and their produce we predict a greater degree 
 of popularity than has ever been accorded any other breed of horses 
 in the world. With all the strength and endurance necesijiary for per- 
 forming farm or other heavy labor, they still have the ease and ele- 
 gance of action that is characteristic of their Thoroughbred ancsters. 
 They are indeed a magnificent race of horses, and the Ca. adian 
 equine history of the next ten years will verify the truth of this 
 prediction. 
 
 Confident that no horses of this breed have ever been brought 
 from France accompanied by the records of finer lineage or possessing 
 higher individual qualities than these described in the following pages, 
 we submit them to the criticism of all who desire to insi)ect or pur- 
 chase, with full confidence that they will prove as valuable and 
 successful in Canada as their ancestors have in France. 
 
 NOTES FROM PRANCE. 
 
 The demand this year for the French Coacher is on the increase. 
 Nearly every importer has taken one or two over on trial ; but I am 
 sorry to say, generally speaking, these men know little of our grand 
 French horse, and are taking over horses that will do more harm than 
 good to the future trade of America. Just mind what I say. . There 
 is no such a thing as a cheap Coacher, especially for breeding pur- 
 poses. You need not come here to buy what you can find in your 
 own country. Light-boned, no-actioned horses are to be found by 
 thousands here but the genuine high-stepping, high-bred Coacher is 
 scarce and difficult to buy. The prices are high, because the French 
 Government is always there to buy the good ones, consequently you 
 must buy younger stock. This applies to dealers who want to make 
 money out of them. But for the genuine breeder who wants one or 
 two stallions to cover let him not flinch at the price, for if he does 
 not get the good one he wants and has seen the government will have 
 him. A great trade and future there is in America for the Coacher. 
 Rich men now travel a good deal, and are gradually getting educatai 
 to our system of high, slow stepping pairs, drawing heavy broughams 
 and victorias through the streets of Paris and London, and are be- 
 
76 
 
 ginning to feel that their wives and families are safer behind such a 
 pair than behind a dashing pair of high-flying trotters. Then, again, 
 the day is coming, if it is not already here, that Europe, especially 
 England, is clamouring after cavalry horses. Where can she get them 
 if not from America ? America has all the material to supply the 
 whole of the continent with good cavalry horses, and the only horse 
 capable of doing it is the French Coacher. If you buy the Coacher, 
 however, buy none but the best, and keep track of his pedigree. Do 
 not buy one from an old scrub of a mare. See that he has plenty of 
 bone, and h;> knee action is eijual to his hind hock action, and that 
 he carries his head high and shows his breeding in it. W. 
 
 La-Ferte-Bernard, Sept., 26. 
 
 FRENCH COACH S^PALLIONS. • 
 
 <No.51.) HOLOPH£RNE. 
 
 Ottawa, 1888, carriage stallion three-year old, ist prize. Sher- 
 brooke, 1889, French coachers, four-years old, ist prize. 
 
 Bay; 15 hands 3 in. ; weight, 1400 lbs. ; bred by M. Forcinal, o^ 
 Neuville, pr6s Seez, department of Orne ; got by the government 
 stallion Gedeon ; dam Meduse (bay, foaled 1864), by Destin and 
 a daughter of Noteur ; imported Aug. 1888, by the Haras National ; 
 Gedeon foaled 1879, by Harami (full blood Arab), and Stockwell 
 mare (11644). 
 
 Destin, foaled 1859, by Usite and Troarn. 
 UsriB, ibaled 1854, by Eperon and Mahomet 
 Epbron, foaled 1849, by Sting and Maid of Fez by Muley-Molocli. 
 Sting, foaled 1843, by Slane and Echo by Emilius. 
 NoTEUR, foaled 1847, by Eylan out of a daughter of Diomfide and the 
 
 mother of Bourgeois-Gentilhomme by DiomMeand Young Rattler. 
 Eylan, bay, foaled 1835, by Napoleon out of Delphine by Masspnd Arabian. 
 Napoleon, bay, foaled 1824, by Bob Booty out of the Pope mare by Waxy 
 
 Pope. 
 Bob Booty, chestnut, foaled 1804, by Chanticker out of Terne by Bagot. 
 • CiiANTicKEK, bay, foaled 1787, by Woodpecker out of a daughter Eclipse. 
 Woodpecker, chestnut, foaled 1773 by Herod out of Miss Ramdeu by 
 
 Cade by Godoiphin Arabian. 
 Hbbod, bay. foaled 1758, by Tartar out of Cypron by Blaze. 
 Tartar, foaled 1743, by Partner out of Meliora by Fox. 
 Partnbb, foaled 1718, by Jigg out of a sister to Mixbury by Carwen bay 
 
 Barb. 
 Jigg, by Byerly Turk (1680) out of a daughter of Spanker, Spanker by 
 
 d'Arcy, Yellow Turk out of old Morocco mare by Morocco Barb. 
 
76 
 
 (No. 62.) OENERAI. FKOTTK. 
 
 Dark bay ; 15 hands 3 in. ; weight, 1450 ; foaled, June 15, i886 ; 
 bred by M. Evrard, of Neuville, prt^s Seez, department Orne ; got by 
 the government stallion Ciceron II. ; dam Matrone (bay) ; im- 
 ported June, 1889, by the Haras National. 
 
 CiCBRON II., foaletl 1880, by Tigris et Centaure (12352). 
 
 Tigris, foale<l 1875, by Lavater and Modestie she by the Heir of Lime 
 
 and Ugoliu Lahore. 
 Lavatbr, foaled 1867, by Crocus and Candelariu. 
 Crocuh, foaled 1856, by Norfolk Phenomenon. 
 Norfolk Phhnombnon, black, foaled 1845, by Old Phenomenon. 
 Ckxtaurb, foaled 1858, by Sedncteur and Merlerault, Hector, .laggard. 
 Seductkir, foaled 1852, by Noteur and Fatibello Railleur Easthara. 
 NojEBUR, by Eylan — Napoleon — Bob Booty — Chanticleer — Woodpecker — 
 Herod— Tartar— Partner— J igg—Byerly Turk (1680>. 
 (For further pedigree see Holopheme's) 
 
 (No. 53.) HEI.IOTKOPE. 
 
 Cherry bay ; 15)^ hands; weight 1400 lbs. ; foaled March, 1885 ; 
 got by the government stallion Bakrabas ; dam Fleurie by 
 Urimesnil ; imported May, 1888, by the Haras National. 
 Barrabas, by Jactator and Niger, Centaure. 
 Jactaior, 1865, by Elu and the mother of Buci and Idomenee by an 
 
 Arabian mare. 
 Elu, chestnut, 1860, by Idalis out of a daughter of Tipple Cider. 
 Idaus, chestnut, 1842, by Don Qiiichotte out of a daughter of Chapman. 
 Dos QuicHoriB, bay, 1839, by Sylvio out of Moina by Tigris. 
 Sylvio, bay, 1826. by Trance out of Hebe by Rubens. 
 Trance, bay, 1817, by Phantom out of Pope Joan by Waxy. 
 Phantom, bay, 1808, by Walton out of Julia Whiskey. 
 Walton, bay, 1799, by St. Peter out of Aretliusa by Dungannon. 
 Sir Peter, brown, 1784, by Highflyer out of Papilion by Snap. 
 HiGHFLYBR, bay, 1774, by Herod out of Rachel by Blank by GoJolphin 
 
 Arabian. (1724). 
 Herod, bay, 1798, bv Tartar out of Cypron by Blaze. 
 Tartar, 1718, by Jigg out of a sister to Mixbury by Curwen bay Barb. 
 Jigg, by Byerly Turk (1680) out of a daughter of Spanker. 
 Urimesnil, 1876, by Partisan and Jarnac, Sinope. 
 Partisan, 1871, by Galba and Wanderer. 
 Galba, 1862, by Umber and Sylvio. 
 Umbbr, 1894, by Pledge and Polecat. 
 Pledge, 1846, by Royal Oak and Young Rattler Visir. 
 Boyal Oak, 1823, by Catton and Smolensko mare. 
 
11 
 
 (No. 54.) MARUIJIM DE PVIIiAYi:. 
 
 Toronto, carriage stallion, three-year old (no special class for 
 Freneh coachers), 3rd prize, 1889. La Prairie, ist prize, French 
 coach, any age, 1889. Sherbrooke, 1889, 3 years old, French coach, 
 I St prize. 
 
 Bay ; 16 hands ; weight, 1500 lbs ; foaled March 12, 1886; bred 
 by M. Mauny, of I^ Coch^re, department Orne ; got by the Govern- 
 ment stallion Tkjris; dam Euterpe, chestnut, fqaled 1879, by 
 Jactator, and a daughter of 'I onnerrk des Indes; imported, June, 
 1889, by the Haras National. 
 
 Tigris, foaled 1875, by Lavater and Modestie (10293). she by the Heir of 
 
 Lime and Ugolin Lahore. 
 LxvATRn, foaled 1867, by CrocMis and C'andelaria. 
 Crocuh, foaled 1886, by Norfolk Phenomenon. 
 NouKOLK Phbnomknon, black, foaled 1848, by Old Phenomenon. 
 Jactator, foaled 1865, by Elu and the mother of Buci and Idomen^e by 
 
 Eylan and an Arabian mare- 
 Elu, foaled lb58, by Electeur and Lahore. 
 Elbcihur, foaled 1836, by Y. Rattler and Y. Topper. 
 Y. Rattler, fouled 1811, by Rattler and Snap mare. 
 Rattlbr, bay, foaled 1784, by Magnum Bonum, out of Flora by Lofty, by 
 
 Godolphin Arabian (1724). 
 Magnum Bonum, bay, foaled 1773, by Matchem, out of a daughter of 
 
 Regulus by Godolphin Arabian. 
 Matchbm, bay, foaled, 1748, by Cade, out of a daughter of Partner by Jigg, 
 
 by Byerly Turk out of a daughter of Spanker (1680). 
 Cadb, bay, foaled 1734, by Godolphin Arabian (brown, 1724), out of 
 
 Rosana by the Bald Galloway. 
 We most earnestly solicit the amateur of horse flesh to come and 
 see this stallion whose sire is an English thoroughbred, and to see 
 after Holopherne^ whose grandsire was a pure Arabian. 
 
 ARABIAN HORSES. 
 
 We import every year some pure bred Arabian stallions, and had 
 six of them last y^ar fspm Khiva .(.Asia*)".. .We import them generally 
 on special order. ■ !A't IFleJur <ii Ivfel "Dfaldota^ we have been most 
 
 successful m crossme pure Arabian sires on the Western and Per- 
 
 .' •. .' "• '^ ' • • ' ,'•••■ '•.•.•,'•■ 
 cheron mares. '•W.e^in';iinp«yi» sonie'. bf the '.purest blood for Cana- 
 dian buyers on orders." ' C)orresp6hd*ehc6 'ioliditdd.' ' 
 
• . •»■ 
 
 • • « . 
 
 • ♦ 
 
 1 *•• 
 
 .-«< 
 
 r l« * * *• 
 
 
 . « • > • • 
 
 • • • 
 
 • • • • 
 
 • < « > • • 
 
 t • 
 
 »•' 
 
 • • • t 
 
 4"' 
 
#' , 
 
 )/ ( > 
 
LOUIS BEAUBIEN 
 
 Importateur et Eleveur 
 
 DE ,\ :'. ■• 'i '{ - 
 
 Betail Nonnand (Cotentin,) 
 Betail Ayrshire f 
 
 Cochons Chester White et Berkshire, 
 Volailles Plymmith Bock* 
 
 FERME, OUTRBMONT, pres MONTBEAL 
 
 BUREAU : 
 
 Jivd: O IsT T I^ E ^ L .