62
country is undulating, affording good drainage. Some of the fields are at an
altitude allowing of a view of the neighbouring country for 15 to 16 miles
around. I observe in the report on Horse-Breeding in Hungary by Colonel
Douglas Dawson that 10,000 acres is noted as the size of the farm, so I con-
clude that it has recently been reduced to 4,000 acres, which number was
given me last month. This stud has been found very suitable for breeding
Arab stock on account of the nature of the soil, and is doubtless a most valu-
able property. The stud has been in existence a hundred and three years.
Originally, Hungarian, Transylvanian, and Bessarabian mares were employed.
Since 1816 importations from Arabia of the highest caste of stallions and mares
obtainable have from time to time been effected. During the last 25 years the
greatest care has been exercised in the selection of the parent stock. Thus
the pedigree of the stock raised in this stud clearly proves that the brood mares
and stallions can be relied on for stud purposes.
7. The farming operations are cared for by scientific agriculturists, and
judging by the crops of clover of several kinds, hay, &c., &c., and the
cultivation generally, the farming is right well done. It was a great pleasure
to see the young stock grazing on excellent grasses and clover, and to find that
change of pasture is ensured by the area of land (4,000 acres) being liberal
compared to the sanctioned number of stock, viz., 600 on the farm, which
strength is not exceeded.
8. The numbers of different classes of stock on the farm on the date of my
inspection were as follows:—
Brood mares.
Fillies .
Colts
.
In foal and with foals at foot (sanctioned number) ...
Yearlings ... ... ... ...
Two-year olds ... ... ... ...
Three-year olds ... ... ...
Yearlings ... ... ...
Two-year olds ... ... ...
Three-year olds (entires) ... ... ...
Stallions at stud all thorough-bred Arab, or pure bred half Arab ...
TOTAL ...
150
40
50
44
41
52
37
7
421
9. The mares may be truly described as generally good; many remark-
ably excellent. They consist of pure bred and half-bred Arab; the latter a
greater number than the former. Among the pure bred mares are several of
stamp and quality not to be surpassed. One light grey—nearly white—mare
"Mahmat" is of the best quality and of excellent shape: about 15 hands and
half an inch in height, and good under knee. Many of the mares are grey,
and the flea-bitten grey colour is the one much liked. They generally
measure well in girth and under knee. Other pure bred mares of high caste
and good bone: a few are small, but these smaller ones being roomy, yield
large stock. Truly it is a grand sight to see so many excellent Arab—real
Arab—mares.
10. The half-bred Arab mares possess great bone and power, and as a
rule have deep barrels, good shoulders, and hind quarters, and in bone of leg-
are excellent. Several are equal to carrying heavy Dragoons; one, a chest-
nut, is quite a model as a weight carrier. All these mares are served by
thorough-bred Arab or pure bred half Arab stallions. The number of foals to
mares covered is said to be about 70 per cent. There are two breeding
seasons—one so as to allow foals to be born in March and April; the other for
foals to be dropped in November and December. Preference is given to the
latter breeding season, as foals born in March and April are at times found
subject to lung disease during the first six months of their lives.
11. The mares and foals are in excellent condition, and have full liberty
except at grain feeding times. In order to test the working value and powers
of endurance of mares, it is customary to send some every year to Vienna,
where they are hunted for a season and then reported on. The young stock