Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-05-31
Agriemltatral department,
THE PERCHERON HORSE.

The interest of our farmers is fast
awakening to the Importance of grad
ing with this breed of horses. The
idea that any difficulty is likely to
arise in breeding with our smaller an
imals has been exploded. 1t is adj
mitted that any farmer can raise a
Percheron colt as easily and about
as cheaply as he can raise a Short
horn steer; and when so raised are
worth six times as much. The ex-
excellencies of this breed are to keep
up the price for long time to come.
This breed of horses originated in
the department of Perche in France.
And the enthusiasm in their favor
which every where prevails there is
being transferred to this country, as
their splendid points are learned
from the importations brought on
here, and the remarkable success that
has at all times attended the breed
ing of full bloods and grades of all
descriptions, not only in the west, but
in our own little state of Vermont.
One advantage of propagating from
this stock Is, when you have a foal
you have got a cOH-a colt that is
bound to stay. This colt is not going
to break his legs running in the pa s.
ture have splint or ring bone before
he is three years old He is not to
be chest foundeaed in his early days,
but he is to grow up like the sotth-
down lamb, proud, moving monu-
ment of his nativity. We can not
give full history in brief article
like this, but will only venture to
say that the Percheron was developed
from the Arab strain on the highlands
of France, hence it is self-evident
that our own Vermont can compete
better with any place than with any
other stock or produce known. Our
farmers were advised three years ago
through the columns of the Journal, to
enter into the business of grading with
improved breeds of foreign horses,
with no special recommendation as to
which breed to propagate from but
it is now conceded the Percheron is
ahead of all others. The reason for
this is seen In both the moral and
physical qualities of the horse, as de-
lineated by the pen of Mr.. Chas. Du
Hays, from which we beg leave to
make selection. He says a proof
of this statement is easy. A hasty
sketch of principle and peculiar char
acteristics of the breed suffices to
furnish it. To no ordinary strength
to vigor that does not degenerate,
and to conformation which does
not exclude elegance. 1t joins docil.
ity with mlIdness, patience, honesty
great kindness, excellent health, and
hardy, elastic temperament. Its
movements are quick, spirited anG
light. 1t exhibits great endurance
both when hard worked, aud wher
forced TO maintain for a long time
any of its natural gaits, and it pos
sesses the inestimable quality o.
moving fast with heavy loads. 1t il
particularly valuable for its astonish
ing precocity, and produces by it
work as a two-year-old more thar
the cost of it's feed. 1t loves labor
No whims of viciousness or nervou
, excitement. 1t bears for man tn
/ companion of his labors. Womel
) children can approach and manag
him without fear. In a word, in it
beautiful dappled grey, its spIendi,
4 appearance, its amiableness, as Ros
Bonheur justly says, it is the ne ple'
,, ultra of animal perfeclion.-V Vernon
Journal.