Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1900-09-07
OUR HORSES TOO FAST.

tests in Russia Against Native Breeds.
The United States consul general at ST.
Peters burg, w. Il. Holloway, reports
that few years ago American horses
could start in all races in Russia, but
they were so much faster than the Rus
sian horses that they were barred from
three big races in order to protect their
own interest; but, as q majority of Rus
sian hOrsemen now own American
horses, and more are constantly being
bought, there is a growing sentiment
in favor of their being permitted to
start In all races except those intended
exclusively for Russian horses. At one
time it was noted with satisfaction that
American horses had been purchased
for the Russian imperial studs, but re-
Gently every horse having American
blood has been removed from these
studs. Disinterested persons declare
this to be shortsighted policy, and say
the Americans do not care what ma
tionality a horse Is provided he is
fast. American horses soon become ac-
climated in Russia, and after the first
year stand the climate as well as native
animals.
No horse is barred from any race on
account of his speed, but fast horses
are handicapped by being required to
pull more weight and starting a few
yards further back. In trotting races
In st. Petersburg only two horses start
in heat from designated places at OPP
posite sides of the track at the sound
of an electric bell. which prevents Jock
eying for position. The horses follow
each other twice or three times around
the track, the distance being either two
or three miles. No matter how many
entries there are in a single race. but
two horses are permitted on the track
at the same time and the one making
the best time wins the race. In Moscow
the races are managed on the American
plan.
Races for the purpose of testing the
endurance of horses are frequent. where
horses are driven from - to 80 miles.
then finish the last two or three miles
at the limit of their speed. The horse
finishing in the best condition and
showing the greatest speed at the close
is the winner.-Cincinnat Commercial
Tribune.
Rebuilding Burlington's BreaIIwatcr.
The work of repairing the Burlington
breskwater has been commenced. About
500 feet of the old breakwater will be
practically rebuilt. \ gang of men IS at
work along the lake front, The compO-
sition of the blocks is one part of Port
land cement two of sand and five Of
broken stone and sufficient water to
form a mud like substance. The COM
position is then compressed in large
wooden moulds and after standing some
time the mould is removed and the
block allowed to dry for fourteen days
before being used. 1t is claimed that
this composition hardens with age and is
more durable than ordinary stone. Each
block is five feet long, three feet high
and four and half feet thick. The base
of the block is oblong but the top sur
face slants to one side. They weigh
abou. four tons each. These will be
loaded upon a derrick scow and trans
ported to the breakwater, where they
will be placed end to end and locked to-
gether by grooves made for the purpose.
\ row of blocks will be placed along
either side of the breakwater for a
length of 500 feet and the space be-
tween the two rows will be filed with
gravel. The work is completed by
placing a layer of concrete over the
gravel to Join the tops of the blocks on
each side.