Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-10-30
NO. 257
Misfella,leous.
A KENTUCKY STOCK FARM.

In all ages the horse has been ranked as
next to man in point of intelligence, and
man has freely commemorated the deeds
Of this faithful friend from remote history
to the present time. Witness the magnjf-
cent friezes of the Parthenon, picturing
the triumphs and professions of the
Greeks; the bronze steeds of Venice.
and the countless sculptures of ancient
Rome, As the horse played an important
part in the shows, wars and festivals of a
long past period, so to-day his patient
shoulders bear large portion of the bur-
dens OF our modern work-a-day world. In
spite OF steam and electricity, the daily
traffic of great city is, to an astonishing
degree, dependent on these quiet, unob-
trusive laborers. When the epizootic fell
like baletul cloud on the country. bust.
ness waa almost suspended in our centres;
an unnatural, painful silence wrapped
streets accustomed to resound to the roar
of wheels, and it was like the sun reap
pearng after dreary absence to see once
more, the gay, familiar equipages and
sturdy drays.
1t is well known that domestication and
careful breeding will entirely eliminate
some traits in animals and foster and
develop others to marvellous ex-
tent. Centuries of speed have produced
the swift steeds securing the Arabian
plains, and years of patient endeavor ths
deep chested, strong limbed Titans of
Flanders. The one is type of airy feet
ness; the other of massive, rugged
strength. Climate, again. has much to do
in forming the temper and characteristics
of all creatures. The shaggy Shetland
pony imbibes the caprciousness OF his
native air, now mild and gentle, anon
vicious and disagreeabe. To breed these
animals under the best conditions, climate
forms quite an essential element in the
problem. Some of the best judges con-
cedc that on the soil of one OF the United
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES to-day the most
perfect specimens of horsefesh anywhere.
Many may be surprised to know that Re-
publican America has sent animals to take
the place OF honor in European royal sta
bles.
After an exhaustive inspection of the
Darlington coal mines and the Mammoth
Cave, fine day in early spring found US
at Lexington the heart of the famous blue
grass region of sunny Kentucky. There
are two very prominent stock farms in the
section of the State, one that of Cassius
Nj. Clay, the other the Woodburn estate.
Armed with the key that unlocked all
gates, viz, letters of introduction, we will
take peep at the management of one of
these model homes. In the first place the
estate comprises many hundred acres, dale
and intervale, swelling into rounded emf
nences and sinking again to level mead.
ows.
Sunny hillsides, clothed with clean.
hardwood groves, sometimes separated
into feeding grounds by neat fences or
arborvit@ hedges. The family mansion.
built OF bricks. plain but elegant, COM
mands view OF the surrounding country;
In one place one can see troop of horses
quietly grazing, in another flock of
sheep huddled under lofty tree. The
overseer, who has "a large number of la.
borers TO direct. occupies very pretty
house, and there are, besides, roomv sta
bes, pens, feeding houses, yards, pri-
vate track for exercising, &c.
We will first stop at one of the stables;
inside, In airy compartments are horses
say two years old or upward-some are
quietly munching or haughtily gazing at
The intruder with large, questioning eyes.
All are tall, slender, clean-in one word.
blooded-showing their breeding in eyerv
turn of the head or impatient stamp of
the foot. No plebean here Their lineage
runs back for generations, and many have
ancestors, relatives and parents noted on
the turf and field The names bestowed
are in tit keeping. aristocratic and refined.
When Mambrino Prince was led out. neck
arched, main and tail flowing, the, glossy
black coat almost rejecting the sunlight,
it was really revelation. | wish could
photograph right here a picture of that
noble stallion he looked king. and from
his actions telt so l am sure. From this
stable negro boy, mounted on dapple
gray, was to be my guide. | seated my
self with some hesitation, l confess, on
the back waiting to receive me, but soon
forgot fear in admiration.
For all the hot blood swelling in his
veins. that horse had a sentiment of honor
and stepped as carefully and kindly as the
most timid rider could desire. At times
he would stop at a gate, my attendant
would make a peculiar call, when from
all quarters of the broad pasture came
trooping up the mares and their colts. 1t
is pretty sight to see one colt-imagine
fifty, with their mothers. Many of the
little creatures trotted along beside re-
nowned dams, whose deeds they them
selves might outdo in the future. At ALL
other place the two-year olds are kept to-
gether, though in wide separate pens.
Their black servants know them all by
name, could recite their pedigree fuently,
and it was almost touching to see the
pride they showed in their tavorites.
Every year in June, there is an auction
sale of the young horses, with few reser-
vations, and to it ongregate all lovers OF
fine stock. from California to New York
yes, even from remote Austria. For
eigners well know the value of importing
American blood and Canadians, English
and other fanciers are not absent.
1t is something OF task to inspect one
department alone of this large estate, but
the pretty landscape, clean equipments,
and perfect care so pleased us that there
was no room Tor WEAKNESS; besides low
er of horses could spend month admir-
ing the animals sheltered here. An Eng
lishman, thoroughly well versed in the
business. has charge of the sheep and cat
tie, and under his escort We sally out to
oaa he ,r,x L. of in