Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-08-21

The Turf is now such an important ele-
menI in the United 5 ates that many gentle
men who know but little of the good quail
ties of stock, are ambitious to become the
owners of race horses. They attend the diff
ferent sales, but hesitate about making a
purchase, because they have not had sufficient
experience to give them confidence in their
eva Judgment A horse may please the eye
NJ first glance, and yet be deficient in excel
lent qualities For this reason the inexperi-
enced require definite rules by which they
may be guided, at least, assisted, when
passing Judgment upon the merits of the high
est type of the equine race. Entertaining
this op MON, we induced to extract a
few notes from old volume. In choosing
a race horse from his external appearance
we are told we must judge of his symmetry
by angular demonstrations IS LIST. Draw a
base line from the stihe joint along the bot
tom of the chest to the extreme point of the
elbow, and to the shoulder blade joint. 3D.
Draw a line from the curb or hook by the hip
joint above the back to an imaginary point.
Sd. Draw another from the point Of the
shoulder, Ranging with the shoulder and pass
ing above the neck until it intersects the line
ut the imaginary point. 4th. Draw line from
the intersccting point of the shoulders, Civ
ing the same declension until it intersects the
base line 9TH From the stihe to the point oil
the bullock, thence to the hip joint. thence
declining to the stife. 9th. Draw a line
from the hip To the base line, right angular
decIension then to the shoulder up to the
crest eth Then draw a straight line, re-
gardless of the curve of the back, to a straight
line intersected at the shoulder at the begin
n.ng of the crest Sth. Then take a line
from the point of the shoulder, and angular
degree, ranging with the shoulder blade to
the top of of the crest. 9th. Then, regard
less of the rising of the crest. draw the
straight inc from the top of the shoulder
blade to inters ct with the point of the for
mer line " Having followed these compre.
hensive directions, we are told, that the
:. real symmetry of grand and beautiful
horse, possessed with muscular powers and
strength, is formed by right-angled triangle :;
and the farther from it a race horses form is,
the less pretensions that horse has to beauty,
speed. bottom or lastiDgness, ability to car
~ weight, or activity In addition to the
above rules, it should be remembered, that
low coupling IN the back is a mark of weak
ness; a thick, upright shoulder indicates a
stumbler, while great declivity and thin
shoulder denotes speed A narrow breast is a
sure sign of weakness, as is also a low loin.
The rising loin is mark ofmuscular strength,
of ability to carry weight, of speed and endu-
rance A short and broad hook denotes
strength, while broad stife we'll let down,
Is u sign of activity and lastingness. Epe-
cial attention should be paid to the knees,
which should be small but compactly formed,
suggesting the idea of iron-like strength.
These suggestions may greatly assist the in
experienced. for one is not competent to de-
eide upon the merits of a race horse without
having given the subject the closest study
Turf, Field and Farm
ABouT WEEps-We have we know not
how many letters, asking how to kill this or
that weed. IF those who write US these que
ries would only think on the subject, they
woulj see that there can be no specific that
will kill an undesirable plant or weed, and
not injure the desirable plants Of the crop.
Therefore, all applications, be they salt, plas-
ter. ashes, or what not. merely to AiH weeds,
are simply absurd. Cultivation consists solo
ly in giving the plant that we wish to grow
an advantage over other plants. In IN un-
cultivated field, where everything is left to
ITSELF it becomes q IS struggle for cxisteuce,"
and the strongest-which 8 usually the most
wortLIees-gets the best Oft In all our cul-
tivaticns the aim Il To rive the crOp We wish