Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-10-10
Farm and Fares1ae.
WHIT KE.yD OF HORSES SHOULD
BE R.1ISEDs

A correspondent of the New England
Farmer hits hard blow at Agricultural
Society practices when he tells their man
ayers, substantially, that their practices
teach that trotting horses are emphatically
the best kind of horses that the farmer can
raise, so far is remuneration may be con-
cerned; and if good draught horse is ex-
hibited at their shows they pay no heed TO
it, and the owner of such animals feel al
most ashamed TO bring them forward. But,
the writer says, that, in the markets, as
business takes precedent of pleasure, so
the work horse is preferred to the pure
roadster or fancy animal. There is steady
demand for draught horses, and their price
does not fluctuate as with roadsters. A
sound, good sized worker brings a good
price as soon as he is old enough TO work,
and in his decline he maintains his price
better than a light trotter. The call for
greater weight in most classes OF roadsters
is increasing. Some car and omnibus COM
panies have added 100 to 200 pounds to their
standard. The 900 and $50 horse it is free
ly admitted will travel more miles in
month for year, under certain conditions,
than heavier animal, but the latter have
decided advantage in starting their loads
and the continued starting of the cars, ON
nibuses and loaded wagons Is the hardest
part of city horses work. So particular
are city buyers on this point, that about
the first question the seller hears is, what
weight is your horse? A short stay in the
market will convince any one that New
England horses are falling below the stand
ard in weight for city purposes.
Looking still further into the market, we
find that the trotters whose price range
among the thousands are few and far be-
tween; that before fancy rates are obtained
fast coils must be proved, and reputation
established. This is usually done by a
trainer, and tho trainer, or intermediate
man, calculates to get large profit. Ped-
gree alone does not sell a horse it may
help sell colt, but the mature horse must
stand upon his own merits. For, very few
of the fast stock come up to expectations,
and not unfrequently can they be bought
at seven and eight years for less than when
they were colts. The risk with working
horses is not so great if the prices are less
tempting. Plain farmers can train them
for market and realize nearly their full val
ne and at the same time they can make the
period of training remunerative. Let TWEEN
ty farmers raise fast stock, and twenty, with
equal advantages, working stock, and the
latter will come off with more dollars and
greater satisfaction. But in aiming to pro-
duce working stock, something besides
mere strength is required TO command
quick sales at prices tempting to raisers.
The standard for work horse has advance
ed essentially within few years. There
are plenty who are willing TO pay for what
pleases the eye, even in a team horse |;
hence, color, symmetry, style Of action,
disposition, &C., as well as size and strength
are to be taken into consideration, and the
profits of raising will depend largely upon
the ability to meet the full requirements of
the market, or to produce first-class ami
mails.