Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-07-11

ne United States may Be mentioned the
-lydesdale. which originated in Scotland,
ne Shire agd suroIk-Punch. which orig
mated IN England. the Belgian from
Belgium. and the Percheron from
France. No distinctly Americar-type OF
traft horse has been developed UP 10
his time. All OF these breeds have
rood and uad points and are more or
eSs prime favorftes in various sections
u the country. II would be digcult TO
Fay which Is the most popular and wide
" disseminated. but undoubtedly the
Percheron horse has more admirers and
! more general distribution in the south
han any other OF the draft breeds. A
srfaf outline OF some OF the more impor-
ant characteristics OF the breed and
something OF It's origin and history VII,
therefore. no doubt prove interesting 10
many at this time
As already stated. the breed originated
n France. where draft horses have been
bred for many centuries. The breed Is
supposed to have originated from type
sf draft animal bred in the vicinity OF
LaPerche, a territory about 90 by 90
niles In area. corresponding to what
: known in the United States as
sounty- The great care and attention
which has been lavished on the breed is
E#1uGQL o. me LACl AlGA q ec(AAOA "a
country not over 50 miles in area has
given TO the world one Of the famous
and best known draft breeds Of horses.
It is supposed to have a dash Of Arab
and Barb blood In his makeup. due to
the bringing back to France horses from
the east BY the crusaders. The govern
ment Is also largely responsible for the
perfection reached By this breed for It
established what Is known as govern
neut studs as early as TIA and though
destroyed during the revolution. they
we're restored by the far-sighter and
astute Napoleon Like all breeds. the
Percheron passed through various vicis-
STUDIES until there was finally evolved
the type Of animal familiar to the horse
men Of today.
Percheron stations weigh when mature
from 1,7Oo TO 1000 pounds. and mares
from 1.sO0 TO 800 pounds. while the
height OF the breed ranges from Is IL
to Il hands for stations. and from IS L.
10, IS 1-2 hands for mares While a va
rfety OF colors predominant. gray and
black are the favoFites. Probably the
gray Is more popular IN the United
United States than animals OF other col
PRS The body is short and biocky. with
broad. level hack and a fun deep chest
Criticism OF the breed is sometimes
found In the fact that the rumps are
short and the tail set On too low. and
here IS sometimes a deficiency in depth
and fullness OF body. The legs and feet
sre characteristic OF the breed and are
more shapely probably and better de-
reloped than I'm any other 4raft breed.
The clean limbs. free OF long hair. make
the breed unusually attractive to Ameri-
ran farmers The Percheron horse has
good action. standing second in this re-
spect- probably only to the C1ydesdale
The animals have a well developed head
and eyes and the neck Is fashioned in
N attractive manner. The Improvement
q the breed in France Is due largely
70 the fact that the breeding animals
are critically examined BY government
Feterinarians- and II up 70 a certain
standard they are subsidized. Animals
aot approved" are excluded from pub
&c service. II Is not surprising, there
lore. that the breed has been developed
. rapidly and reached its present state
y perfection II is TO be hoped that
sur federal and state governments viii
shortly take similar action.
The Percheron was introduced into the
United States about ISIS. though the real
7evel0pment Of the breed dates from
sol when a number OF fmpcrtations were
brought into the middle west where the
breed has attained great popularity It
AI44AE a4lAlAAA6@ANrll stated Llar there
Sere fully $500 Percherons in the United
States as early as 1855. The cross-bred or
grade Percheron Is common in America.
and this accounts In some measure for
ne popularity OF the breed Some objec-
ton has been raised to the use Of pure
bred sires on natiTe mares in the south
because the animals were deficient IN
bone and subject to disease OF the feet
And limbs This probably Is more due
-. - -
sometimes been brought in and 20 inher-
ted qualities OF the dams The popularity
II the Percheron is attested by the high
prices which many OF them command
he champion stallion OF the breed az
he Louisiana Purchase exposition bring
ng $500. Percheron geldings are also
savorites. being quite extensively used
for drayage purposes in large cities.
There Is probably no breed OF draft
aorses better adapted to the south than
he Percherons. To import a sire, as
nas already been noted. 10 cross on the
zatfve mares deficient in tone and quail
y. is only counting disaster. II the sires
IRE brought In. they should be accompa-
aied BY a carload OF two OF choice mares
n other words. for community to buy a
stallion and hope 70 establish a draft
lype from the native stock is a waste
u time and money. The draft mares,
aowever. brought in and given any de-
gree OF care and attention wiz do as
much work in many respects as the best
mule and viii lay the foundation for the
establishment OF the draft horse business
N a scale which viii permit southern
breeders to al the market demand for
animals OF the draft type. After a sufi-
.lent number OF mares have been devel-
sped. II viii be a simple matter through
he use OF high grade jacks to begin the
breeding OF the big-boned and heavier
sype OF mule which economic con-
litions demand shall replace the lighter
ype OF animals now used on our planta-
ions The fear that the draft animal
sill be too heavy and awkward and in
sapacitated for rendering good service
" climatic conditions is not well founded
The one difficulty in the way Of accli-
natizing the Percheron is the labor prob
en- II the farmer who invests his mon
y IN superior specimens expects to turn
hem over TO Indifferent negro labOrers
MY disappointment and loss viii follow.
IN improved strain OF animals must be
AIRED for with some skill and consfdera-
ion. The 5000 pounds in the collar which
/ team Of good draft mares win insure
vii enable the farmer 70 do as much
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