St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1890-10-23
CURRENT TOPICS.
MerinOeS LOOKING Up.

1nCIIHOCS I<OOhLHS Up
The American Wool Reporter says
that indications are plentiful that
merino sheep-breeders of Vermont
are to enjoy a more prosperous sea-
son, and that the sheep raising inter
est is to receive a new impetus
through the lively request for choice
animals for export to Australia.
The records of sales of choice animals
in Vermont, particularly in Addison
county, have been numerous of late,
and some good prices have been real
lied by breeders. Vermont farmers
should note the fact that the sheep
raising industry is looking up, and
that the possibilities along this line
are great. The saying that a good
sheep will always sell was never
truer than it is today Burlington
Free Press.
The SpoiIs System american.
The system of patronage in offices
we have always had, but it IS none
the less system born of despotisms
and aristocracies, and it is the merest
cant to call it American 1t is a sys-
tenn of favoritism and nepotism, of
political influence and personal in
trigue In word it is as un-Amer-
lean as anything could well be. for a
system by which Louis XIV. and his
successors drained the likelihood of
the French people, and by which Sir
Robert Walpole and his successors
corrupted the British Parliament,
has no proper place on American
soil, and is utterly abhorrent to the
ideas upon which the democratic gov
eminent of the United States has been
founded and built up. Whatever
may be said for or against the sub
stitute which is now in part estab-
lished, it is at least grounded on the
American idea of a fair field and no
favor, and this itself is sufficient to
prove it superior to a system which
is all favor and no field at all
Henry Cabot Lodge, in the October
Century.
The AxfeH Track.
The kite-shaped track is immensely
popular just now. 1t may continue
in favor with such breeders as wish
to give their colts fast records for
the purpose of bringing the merits of
stock horses prominently before the
public There is but little probable
ity, however, of their coming into
general use as trotting courses, for
three very important reasons. First,
kite-shaped tracks are acknowledged
to be from two to four seconds faster
than the oval track, and the horse
which wins on them will be likely to
be Outclassed when he again strikes
the ordinary-shaped track. Second,
it is agreed by all who have ever
seen a race over them that it is very
difficult for any one in the grand
stand to place the horses during the
first and last thirds of the mile
This will detract very materially
from the interest taken in the race
by spectators. Third, though the
danger of collision in going around
the first turn may be greatly les
sened, there is much greater danger
of colliding at the finish when speed
ing horses on the kite-shaped course
than there would be OF an oval one.
When horse finishes heat just as
is coming down for start
the animals cross each others course,
and unless great care is used many
valuable horses will be ruined at this
point. OF course the danger will be
much less among experienced drivers
than among novices, but even the
veterans will at times become so
much absorbed in their own animals
that they will not keep so sharp a
lookout for danger as they ought.
For working out horses at a breed
ers' meeting, when there are a large
on the track at once, the
oval track will be much the safer
One kite-shaped track centrally To-
Gated in a state will eventually be
found sufficient to answer all practi-
cable purposes, or we are very much
mis- taken.-[ Horse Breeder