The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-04-08


far, while the ''sweeps" have found no place in
the community whatever; still, we do not
know what they may do in the future, if sys-
tenn Of racing having its foundation on gam
bling and not on the improvement of the
horse should prevail for any length of time.
At the period Of the introduction of this
system of racing into this country we had nu-
merous four mile repeaters; but what have
we now9 None of this class is on the race
course, although few may be found in the
stud; but when they are gone how shall they
be replaced? England is In worse pre-
dicament than ourselves, as in her case it is
not known that she has single repeating four
mile horse within her limits While we still
have few good four mile horses in the stud
1t should be our aim to breed from them and
toperpetuate the only test of first class horse,
which is racing at four mile heats. 1t is not
too late to take decisive measures against the
foreign system drumming horses, one 80 fraught
with evil as dash racing, handicapping, &C., and
the sooner it is set about the better. We have
q great many young horses now, descendants
of good repeating four mile families, that with
proper care and attention could be made to
rival the deeds of their illustrious Stress but if
they are to be broken down, or injured by the
pernicious system Of handicapping and run
ming at an immature age, there is very little
but disappointment to be expected from them
In the future, either as racers on the turf or as
successful sires in the stud.
The subject is . national one and the atten-
zion Of legislators should be directed to it for
the horse, being one Of the great industrial
products of the country, should not be suffered
to go into decline that would depreciate his
value merely to crafty the caprices of gamblers
and spectators, as has been done in Great
Britain for the last quarter of century. Let
us continue to breed and test the horse, as we
nave done for many years, in the good, old-fash-
Toned way of the Stevenses, the Livingstons,
the Coles, the Johnsons, the Tayloes, the
Belchers and others, whose patriotic exer-
tons made the American four mile race horse
modern English system. Suitable measures
for the Improvement of the horse cannot be
too soon taken under consideration by Con-
gress and bill passed at once that will give
the Agricultural Bureau power to grant prizes
to such animals as shall distinguish themselves
for their speed and endurance under appro-
pirate tests.
Considerable money has been appropriated,
from time to time, by different State Legisla-
lures, and grants of land have been made by
the general government, for the institution of
agricultural colleges. No perceptible good has
arisen from the money appropriated to that
purpose. We know no more about agricul-
ture now than before these colleges were
instituted, and are unable to raise
single blade of grass in excess of former
production through information derived
through them. Had the money so lavishly
bestowed upon these institutions been appro-
priated as rewards to individual enterprise
through the means of the Agricultural Bureau,
the energies of the community would have been
stimulated to such an extent that both animal
and vegetable production would have received
u beneficial impulse.
Now, the establishment of Fair Ground at
Washington is what is wanted. There the horse
could be tried mpartially, his merits ascertained
and proportonate rewards given to the breed
ers of the finest animals, and there also COM
pettors in other industrial pursuits could con-
gregate and receive such rewards as would be
due to their enterprise and genius. The in
creased amount of the income tax consequent
upon the enhanced value of stock and cereal
products generally would more than compen-
safe for the appropriation made by the gov
eminent to develop these resources. All the
subject requires is consideration in the proper
quarter, and law granting a suitable appro-
priation passed by Congress to enable us to
enter on new era of production and improve
ment as quickly as possible.