Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1907-03-22
A New Government Stock Farm
Mr.. BattelIs Gift to The Nation.
A 400 Acre Farm in Weybridge, Given to the
National Government for the Development
of the Morgan Horse-What the Govern
ment Has Already Done-A Possible Gift of
1000 Acres as National Forest Reserve.
From the Washington Springfield Republican,


can develop our own breeding stock of
horses in this country it will make light
horse breeding less of "a lottery than it
is at present, and will at the same time
provide breeding animals which can be
used protitably on the lighter horses of
the country.
The first step was the establishment in
connection with thelColorado State exper-
iment station at Fort Golfers, Col. of
government stud. After thorough
search Is mares and one stallion were
selected. The Instructions of the pur-
chasing board allowed considerable lat
itude, but it was required to select strict
ly according to type. Hereditary un-
soundness was regarded as disquaifi-
cation. Pedigree was not considered so
far as registration was concerned. but
the board required evidence to be sub
mitted showing that the animals pur-
chased were from parents and ancestors
of like type, thus insuring blood lines
that would breed reasonably true Speed,
while not ignored, was not made an es-
sential. Life, spirit and energy, with
moderate speed, were considered, and,
while conformation was not sacrificed to
speed, speed with conformation and
good action was regarded as an advan
tage. The type for mares was one stand
ing about 15.3 hands, weighing 100 to
$50 pounds. bay, brown or chestnut in
color, with stylish head and neck full
made body, deep ribs, straight back,
strong loin, straight, full Group, muscu-
lar forearms, quarters, and lower thighs :;
good all-round action was insisted upon.
Any tendency to pace or mix gaits was
regarded as ground for disqualification.
In some cases, mares of more than 1913
hands were purchased, and in others
they were less than this. All, however,
conformed closely to the type.
The choice of a stallion to head the
great government stud was naturally the
most difficult task An almost unlimited
number of trotting horses were consid-
cred but were found deficient in some
respect and were rejected. The stallion
finally chosen was Cannon 1872 OF Amer
lean Trotting Register, 16 hands, 1900
pounds when in fair condition, bay with
black points and no white stockings. This
horse was exhibited by Thomas w. Law.
son of Boston as one of his famous four
in hand under the name GLORIOUS Thun-
dercloud." The points of Carmon's con.
formation which deserves special men
ton are his head, neck and hind quar-
tiers. His forehead is broad and full,
with straight nose and face; he has
} full, expressive eyes and well carried
ears. The neck is clean, muscular and
well arched. The horse has an abund.
ance of bone and substance but ample
quality at the same time. His action is
excellent. Carmons pedigree is admit
teddy not fashionable one from the
, view point of the man who is breeding
solely for speed. 1t is, however, a pedi
gree from which one might fairly ex
pect horse of excellent conformation
( since it is frequently crossed with the
: blood of Abdallah 10, and also with tn,
blood of the Morgans. Robert McGregor
was horse with specially well devel
oped hind quprters and this characteristic
is seen in his sons and grandsons, al
shown by Cresceui and Cannon.
THE MORGANS.
e The second step toward the develop
ment of the better American horse wa
| taken last year, largely through the eff
n forts of Senator Proctor and Mr.. Battell
i when the agricultural department turned
: its attention to the improvement of tn,
n Morgan breed in the Morgan's proverbia
y home in Vermont. AS an expert of tn
5 department recently remarked it woul'
v | he imnOSsihle 10 select the hest tvna N