5F 290 UC-NRLF 06 REPORT ^21930 OF THE Special Investigation ON Horse Breeding in Ontario 1906. (PUBLISHED BY THK ' ;.N I ARIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. TORONTO) PRINTED BBY ORDER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO TORONTO: Printed by L. K. CAMERON, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty 1907 COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE DAVIS. CALIFORNIA REPORT OF THE Special Investigation ON Horse Breeding in Ontario 1906. (PUBLISHED BY THE ONTARIO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, TORONTO) PRINTED BY OnDER OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO TORONTO : Printed by L. K. CAMERON, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majerty. 1907. UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE DAVIS WARWICK BRO'S & RUTTER, Limited, Printers, TORONTO. To the Honorable WILLIAM MORTIMER CLARK, K.C., Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario. MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOR : The undersigned begs to present herewith, for the consideration of Tour Horor, the report on the Horse Industry of Ontario, 1906, which has been prepared by the Live Stock Branch of the Ontario Department of Agriculture. Respectfully submitted, NELSON MONTEITH, Minister of Agriculture. TORONTO, March, 1907. CONTENTS. _ PAGK INTRODUCTION 5 Districts 7 Inspectors , Public Meetings DISTRICT 1 : Middlesex 9 E ssex 13 Kent 15 Elgin 18 Lambton 21 Special Report of Inspectors 24 DISTRICT 2 : Halton : 26 Wemtwort'h ' 28 Brant 31 Oxford 34 Norfolk 37 Haldimand , 39 Welland 42 Lincoln 44 Special Report of Inspectors 46 DISTRICT 3 : Huron 48 Bruce '. 51 Grey t 54 Special Report of Inspectors 58 DISTRICT 4 : Perth t 59 Waterloo 61 Wellington 63 Dufferin 67 Special Report of Inspectors 69 DISTRICT 5 : Peel : 71 Simeoe 73 York :...r 78 Ontario 81 Special Report of Inspectors 83 DISTRICT 6 : Hastings 86 Peterborough . . ., 89 Victoria 91 Durham 95 Northumberland 97 Prince Edward 99 Special Report of Inspectors 101 DISTRICT 7 : Prescott Russell iCarleton Renfrew Lanark Special Report of Inspectors 113 DISTRICT 8 : Glengarry 114 Dundas 116 Grenville ' 120 L«-eds •. 121 Frontenac 1 24 Lennox and Addington Snecial Report of Inspectors 129 Stormont 131" SUMMARIES : Showing number of each class of stallions in ^ach County Showing percentage of each class of stallions in each County Showing number of each breed in Province 135 REPORT OF THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATION ON Horse Breeding in Ontario. INTRODUCTION. The question of improving- the quality of the horses bred in the Prov- ince has been considered at different times at annual and others meetings of live stock associations, as well as being a subject of concern to persons individually or officially interested in the promotion of the horse indus- try. No unanimous and satisfactory scheme calculated to improve condi- tions could be decided upon, and when the matter was carefully inquired into, it was found that the reason, apparently, was a lack of accurate and de- tailed information as to the exact conditions throughout the Province which affect the quality of the horses produced. It was therefore decided by the Minister of Agriculture that before undertaking any compre- hensive plan for the improvement of horse-breeding, it would be wise to procure more complete information upon which conclusions might be based. It was felt that detailed and accurate information along the following lines shound be obtained before any comprehensive policy should be adopted looking to the general improvement of the horse industry in Ontario. 1. What conditions have affected or are affecting the quality and num- ber of stallions and brood mares, in the various sections of the Province, and if the effect is for good, whether or not the same conditions could be applied in other sections; and if the conditions have not a good effect what could be done to remove them. 2. What class of horses can most profitably be raised in different sec- tions of the Province, under the natural conditions found in those sections. 3. The system of syndicating, and any other plan at present adopted in Ontario, other than private ownership. 4. The views of horsemen generally as to the advisability of a Stal- lion Inspection Act. 5. Suggestions from those interested in the horse business, as to what can be done to improve conditions of the horse business generally. For the purpose of obtaining this information, the Legislature was; asked to make an appropriation, which was done at the session of 1906, and the following plan of work was adopted : — The counties of 'the Province were divided into eight districts, and two Inspectors, one to represent light horses, and one to represent heavy hor>es, were appointed to investigate and report on the conditions in each district. The Inspectors were instructed to inspect each known stallion located in their district, and to obtain from the stallion owner and others with whom they came in contact, such information as might be possible regarding the mares. The information obtained in this way is practically accurate, re- [5] 6 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 garding the stallions, and approximately correct regarding the mares Th« Inspectors were instructed to make a report on the stallions covering the following points : 1. Owner. 2 Post office address. 3. Breed or breed most favored. 4. Pure-bred or grade. 5. If pure-bred, imported or Canadian-bred, and registration number and name of Kecord. 6. Average agei 7. Weight. 8. Sound or unsound. 9. If unsound, what disease. 10. Conformation. 11. Action. 12. Approximate value. 13. Number of mares served. 14. Service fee. 15. Per cent, of foals. 16. If sound, score out of possible 100 points. I/. Remarks. / The following points are covered in the report on the mares : 1. Number in township. 2. Average number kept by each breeder. 3- Type. 4. Average weight. 5. Average quality. 6 Average age. 7. Average value. 8. Remarks. Information regarding matters of a general nature covered by the in- vestigation were obtained bv meeting with those interested in the horse industry in each district, either individually or at the public meeting held in each county for this purpose. It was not the intention that at this meeting, or at any other time, the inspectors should endeavor to direct public opinion to obtain certain results or decisions, nor was the work un- dertaken with the object of conducting an educational campaign. This latter point might be a natural result of the investigation, and form part of a general plan to be adopted for improving conditions, but it was not a part of the work of the inspectors. What was required was a full and in- telligent discussion of the different matters covered by the investigation, and to give every one interested an opportunity to express his opinion as to how the conditions relating to the breeding of horses could best be im- proved. In order to facilitate the work of the Inspectors, the Secretary of the Farmers' Institute, in each institute district, was requested to organize the district, obtain the names of the stallion owners in his institute dis- trict, arrange the most convenient route for inspecting these stallions in their own stables, and also in order to avoid loss of time to drive with the inspectors throughout the district. The stallion owners were notified by circular letter as to the probable time of the visit of the Inspectors. The local officers also advertised and made the necessary arrangements for hold- ing the public meeting in each county. The result of the investigation in each institute district depended to a great extent upon the preliminary work being properly done, and the report will show that this work was well done in most cases by the local institute officers. 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. The list of Inspectors, the districts visited by them, and the counties comprising each district are given below : DISTRICTS. District No. 1.— Counties of Middlesex, Essex, Kent, Elgin, and Lambton. Wm. Smith, Columbus; J. D. Graham, Toronto. District No. 2. — Counties of Halton, Wentworthr Brant, Oxford, Nor- folk, Haldimand, Welland, and ' Lincoln. John Gardhouse, Highfield; Wm. Cain, Y.S., Perth. District No. 3. — Counties of Huron, Bruce and Grey. H. G. Reed, V.S., Georgetown; John Bright, Myrtle. District No. 4. — Counties of Perth, Waterloo, Wellington, and Duf- ferin. Wm. Jones, Zenda; Peter Christie, M.P., Manchester; John A.. Boag, Ravenskoe. District No. 5. — Counties of Peel, Simcoe, York, and Ontario. Thoi. McMillan, Seaforth; Wm. Mossip, St. Mary's. District No. 6. — Counties of Hastings, Peterborough, Victoria, Dur- ham, Northumberland and Prince Edward. J. G. Clarke, Ottawa; Jas. Irving, Winchester. District No. 7. — Comities of Prescott, Russell, Carleton, Renfrew, and Lanark. W. F. Kydd, Simcoe; Geo. Gray, Newcastle. District No. 8. — Counties of Glengarry, Dundas, Grenville, Leeds, Frontenac, and Lennox and Addington. H. S. Arkell, B.S.A., O.A.C., Guelph; Jas. Sinclair, V.S., Cannington; Arthur Thorn, Elma. NOTE. — Where more than two inspectors are given for one district, the work was divided so tha£ but two inspectors were in the district at one time. The work of in- in Stormont County was done by George Gray, Newcastle, and A. R. Walsh, . . The following list shows the place and date at which it was arranged to hold the public meeting for each county. PUBLIC MEETINGS. County. Town or city. Date. County. Town or city . Date. Brant Brantford Oct. 20. Lincoln St Catharines . . . Nov. 17. Bruce ' ''aislev " 26. Middlesex London Oct. 19. Carleton Stittsville " 30 Northumberland . . Brighton Nov. 15. Durham Orono Nov. 9. Norfolk Simcoe " 3. Dufferin Shelburne " 12. Oxford Woodstock Oct. 27. Dundae Winchester . . Oct. 18. Ontario Port Perry Nov. 13. Essex Essex " 26. Perth Mitchell Oct. 16. Elgin Rt Thomas Nov. 9. Peterborough Madoc " 17. Frontenac .... Harrowsmith " 5. Prince Edward Picton Nov. 20. Grev Markdale " 8. Peel Caledon East .... Oct. 12. Grenville Kemptville Oct. 25. Prescott Vankleek Hill . . . " 13. Glengarry Alexandria " 13. Russell Russell " 2° Hastings Madoc " 17. Renfrew Cobden •. . . Nov. 6. Huron Clinton " 11. Simcoe Barrie Oct. 26. Halton Milton " 11. Victoria Lindsav " 31. Haldimand . Fisherville Nov. 8. Wellington Fergus Nov. 7. Kent Chatham . . " 2. Waterloo . Berlin Oct. 22. Lanark Carleton Place " 12. Wentworth Dundas " 16. Lambton Petrole* " 19. Welland Welland Nov. H. Leeds Lansdowne Oct. 31. York Richmond Hill . . . " 5. Lennox and Ading- ton .... Napanee Nov 13 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 It was practically impossible to procure the name of every stallion owner in the Province, and in a very few of the townships it may be found that this may slightly affect the report on that particular township, but it will not affect the report of the county to any appreciable extent. In some few cases also, the owners would not allow their horses to be inspected, and wherever a stallion was not inspected, the report of the mares in the tabu- lated statement for the township in which such stallion is located will also be affected. It should also be borne in mind that stallions are credited to the townships in which they were located at the time of inspection, when they may possibly travel through the surrounding townships during the season; this may give a somewhat erroneous impression regarding the town- ships not credited, if this fact is not noted. It should also be specially noted that the number of mares credited to any township in the tabulated statement is the number of mares bred to stallions inspected in that town- ship, and will not necessarily denote the number of breeding mares actu- ally owned in the township. The information regarding the amount of ser- vice fees, and the number of mares bred to each stallion was supplied the Inspectors by the owner of the stallion. The Inspectors did not always have an opportunity of verifying this information, and referring specially to the service fees, it has been suggested that the advertised service fee wa» not always adhered to. In this report standard-bred horses and pure-bred horses are classed together, the standard-bred horses being termed pure-bred as a matter of convenience in preparing the report. The ame is also true of the term grade being applied to denote non-standard-bred horses of roadster type. Roadster stallions (Car adian-bred) include standard-bred horses bred in Canada xand stallions of Roadster type bred in Canada, but registered in Records other than the American! Trotting Register. Roadster grade stallions include grade stallions of Roadster type not registered in any record. The report following is compiled from the statistics and general in- formation supplied by the Inspectors, the report from each district being given separately. The report on each county in the above districts is given by townships, with a summarized table and general information regarding the whole county, given at the end of the county report. The remarks of the Inspectors regarding the work generally are given at the end of the report of the district which was under their charge. The report for ea'ch district after being finally prepared was submitted to and approved by the Inspectors for that district. A summarized report and statistics covering the Province, in accordance with the above districts, completes the report of the investigation. 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. DISTRICT NO. 1. Counties.— Middlesex, Essex, Kent, Elgin and Lambton. Inspectors. — Wm. Smith, Columbus, and J. D. Graham, Toronto. MIDDLESEX. The township of Biddulph was first gone over. Two Clydesdale stal- lions, two Shires, a Percheron, a Standard-bred, and a Roadster, were seen by the Inspectors. All of these were registered, and all the Clydes- dales, Shires, and the Percheron were imported animals. The Clydesdale* were of an excellent type, one weighing 2,100 Ibs. and both had been used on a large number of mares. The Roadster was of good conformation and action, while the rest were described as fair. All were sound. It ia estimated that there are 1,000 breeding mares in the township, being mostly of Clydesdale and Roadster tvpe, and averaging about 1,350 Ibs. m weight. Their average quality is described as fair, and the average age 8 yeara. Service fees ran from flO to $15, and in one instance was given as $25. In McGillivray township, Clydesdales largely predominate; out of the nine stallions seen, five be-ng of that breed, all imported but one. Their quality ranged from good to fair. One aged grade Clydesdale was seen, and one of the three Standard-breds and Roadsters was also a grade. Most of the stallions were sound, two coming under the head of "fairly sound." The average weight of the 'Clydesdales was about 1,750 'Ibs., and of the Stan- dard-breds, about 1,050 Ibs. Mares of Clydesdale type, aiveraiging 1,200" Ibs., are most generally found, and some 723 were bred, being of fair quality, their average age being 7 years. From $8 to $15, are charged aa aervice fees. In the township of West Williams, there were seen two Clydesdales, a Shire, a Roadster, and an Arabian (the latter a grade), standing for ser- vice. The four registered stallions were all sound, the two heaviest, a- Clydesdale and a Shire, being reported at 2,000 Ibs. Service fees ranged from $8 for the grade to $12 for one of the Clydesdales and the Roadster, the low fee for the grade evidently affecting adversely the average of the fees throughout the township. The Roadster was described as of very good conformation, that of the others ranging from fairly good to fair. The number of brood mares in the township is 500, being of Clydesdale and Roadster type, of fair average quality, and in weight 1,300 Ibs. Average age was 6 years. Enst Williams has fewer stallions than its sister township, only three being located by the inspectors, and of these, one was a grade. The Clydes- d le, an imported horse, scored well, and had been used on a good number of mares. The Hackney was of good conformation and action, and had been used on a large number of mares, of which a very high percentage- were in foal. All three stallions were sound. As regards mares, they are of good quality, in number about 600, of Clydesdale and Roadster type, and average in weight 1,250 Ibs., and in years, 8. From $10 to $15 are the service fees, the higher fee being for the HacJmey. Two Clydesdales and a Percheron, all sound, and two of them of good conformation, comprised the sires seen in Adelaide township. The aver- age value of the three was $1,200. All three were imported animals. As in the other townships of this county, the mares were mostly of Clydes- dale and Roadster type, of good average quality, weighing about 1,200 Ibs., in age averaging 8 years, and numbered some 600. $10 to $12 are paid for aervice fees. 10 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Middlesex— Conti> u--d. Out of the eight stallions in Lobo township (one of which was a grade), four were registered Clydesdales, three being imported. The German Coach stallion seen was of excellent conformation, and had good action, and had proved a successful foal getter. Of the two Roadsters, one was good, the other being undersized, and only fair in conformation. Service fees were from $9 to $15. The average quality of the mares in this town- ship, which average 1,200 Ibs. in weight, and are of the Clydesdale and Roadster type, is fair, and average age is 7 years. Caradoc township makes a good showing in point of numbers of stal- lions. Out of the thirteen inspected, six were Clydesdales, four Roadsters, one a Percheron, one a Thoroughbred, and one an Arabian. Of these, four were grades or unregistered. A large proportion were out for their first season here, so that no record of their value as sires could be obtained. With one exception all were sound. The mares kept in this township are of the draught and general purpose type, weighing about 1,100 Ibs., and are fair in quality, with an average age of 7 years. Service fees are from $8 to $15. Metcalfe township is fairly well provided with sires, fairly equally divided between light and heavy breeds, the light somewhat preponderat- ing. Three Roadsters, three Clydesdales, and one Coach stallion make up the list. The Clydesdales score highest in conformation and quality, and all are sound or fairly so. Here, again, the majority of the sires had put in their first season, and so no idea of their breeding abilities could be secured. Of those that had been standing for service more than one sea- son, the percentage of foals was fairly good. The stud fees were from $10 to $15. The average weight of mares was no higher than 1,100 Ibs. ; qual- ity fair, they being of a light or very slightly Clydesdale type. About 750 is the number of mares kept. Their average age is 8 years. Mosa is a township with horses of a distinctly light type, hence the sires used are mostly of the lighter order. One Thoroughbred, two Road- sters, a grade Roadster, a German Coach, two Percherons, a Clydesdale, and a Clydesdale grade constitute the list. All but one are reported sound. Here, again, the service fee ranged from $10 to $15, the majority charg- ing the lower fee. The mares in this township are described as partly general purpose, and partly Roadster in type. Their average quality is fair. Their average weight is about 1,100 Ibs., and age, 8 years. Ten to fifteen dollars is also the range of service fees in Ekfrid town- ship, where there are only four stallions, two apiece of Roadsters and of Clydesdales, all sound and, as far as tested, fairly reliable sires. About 600 mares are kept, being of a Roadster type, with some inclined to a general purpose conformation. Their average age is 7 years, and weight, 1,100 Ibs. West Nissouri with its 1,000 mares of Roadster and Clydesdale type, averaging 1,200 Ibs. in weight, leans towards the heavy type of sire, no less than 7 out of the 11 visited being Clydesdales, four imported, and three Canadian bred. There is also a Hackney kept for service for the first season, two Roadsters (one a grade) and a French sire. While most of the sires are young, one is 20 years old, and another 11. Most of them are re- ported sound. The fees are as low as $8, and up to $15. The average age of the mares is 7 years. In North Dorchester township, while the type of mare is of the gen- eral purpose, Roadster and Hackney style, the tendency is to use mostly Clydesdale or Shire stallions, while two Hackneys have also put in their ]9 OX HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 11 Middlesex. — C< mtinuf d. first season. In addition to these there is a Roadster. All are sound, and the conformation is fairly good, two scoring as very good. In age, the oldest is 11, and the youngest 3 years. Four are newcomers; the percent- age of foals for the rest being good. Mares, which are of 'average quality, number 800. Their average weight is 1,100 Ibs., and age 7 years. The city of London is the headquarters for 12 stallions, being 7 'Clydes- dales, a Thoroughbred, and four Roadsters, one of these a grade. Six of the Clydesdales were newly imported, and the ages of the twelve ranged from 2 to ''aged." All ranked as sound, and the service fee charged var- ied from f 12 to $15, while for three Roadsters the fees are quoted at f20 to |50. Westminster township excels the average of the surrounding town- ships, except that of London, in the total number of mares kept, 1,500, also in the average quality which is good. They scale about 1,200 Ibs., and are of draught and roadster type, averaging in age 7 years. Of the sires kept, two are registered Clydesdales, and one a grade, and there is one apiece of the Shire, Percheron, and Roadster breed, the latter not be- ing used for service. The oldest horse is 13 years, and all are sound. Ser- vice fees are placed at $8 to f!5. 4 London township is the banner one of Middlesex county as regards the number of stallions and mares kept, there being 16 of the former and 2,500 of the latter, which the inspectors describe as mares of good quality, weighing 1,250 Ibs., averaging in age about 7 years, and in type partly draught ar-d partly roadster. The conformation of the sires does not seem to be in all ca^es as good as it might be, although a number scored well. The ages varied from 4 to 15 years. The list includes four Clydesdales, four Shires (two being grades), four Roadsters, two Hackneys and two Percherons. Eight to fifteen dollars are the service fees paid, and in the case of a Roadster stallion a fee of $20 is given. STALUONS. Breeding. Number. Average weight. Pounds. Average age. Serviceably sound. a ffd S3 o.2 > o -3 » > ID << Clydesdales, Imported 44 1 743 6 All Good 3 443 $ 12 Clydesdales, Canadian-bred 7 1,380 5 All Fair 432 10 Grades, Clydesdale 5 1,580 8 All Fair 343 9 Shires, Imported 8 1 812 7 All Fair 547 12 Graces, Shire 2 1 450 9 1 Fair 65 8 Percherons g 1 744 6 All Medium Hackneys, Imported 5 1 350 6 All fair Fairly 921 11 Standard-breds, Imported 14 1 053 8 All good. . . . Good 543 590 13 15 Roadsters, Canadian-bred 7 1 000 6 All Good 358 14 Thoroughbreds, Imported 3 1 184 15 All Medium German Coach Horses 2 1 325 12 All good. . . . Good 152 251 11 13 English Coach Horses 1 1,300 9 All Fair 50 10 •Grades. — Hackney, Roadster, Ar- abian and French Canadian (1 Hackney, 11 Roadsters, 2 Arabian, 1 French Canadian) ... . . 15 1 096 6 All Fair 704 10 Totals 121 8 309 12 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Middlesex.- — Concluded. MA REP. • Townships. Number of mares bred to stallions inspected in Township. Type. Average weight. Pounds . Average quality. 1 1 S 9 •5 Biddulph 467 Clvdesdale and Roadster 1 350 Fair 8 McGillivray 723 Clydesdale . ... 1 200 Fair 7 West Williams 445 Clydesdale and Roadster 1 300 Fair 6 East Williams 334 Clydesdale and Roadster . 1 250 Good g Adelaide 311 Clydesdale and Roadster 1 200 Good g Lobo 644 Clydesdale and Roadster . 1 200 Fair 7 Caradoc 676 Draught and General Purpose 1,100 Fair 7 Metcalfe 605 Light and others half light Clydes- dale 1,100 Fair. . . 8 Mosa 668 General Purpose, Clydesdale and some Roadster 1,100 Fair. .. 8 Ekf rid 185 Roadsters and Grades inclined to General Purpose 1,100 Fair. . . 7 West Nissouri 606 Roadster and Clydesdale 1,200 Fair. . . 7 North Dorchester 872 General Purpose, Roadster and Hackney 1,100 Fair. .. 7 London City 231) Draught and Roadster 1,200 Good . . 7 Westminster London 443 ( 1,189 Draught and Roadster 1,250 Good . . 7 Total 8,399 MAKES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Total . Serviceably sound. Not serviceably sound. Stallions. *jjj t-> 00 *> 2g "o 6 t. OE *^ °5 S3 o "° 5 >-c 00 •*> « r° £H $ ^TJ O L ^2 ^^5 J £•« ^ 2^3 JP - a "S 3 a * g 2,0 2J IB! 4) OJ a OB fl ^ tn § 2x3 hi V v £ fe £ fc w ^ « fc ^ $ $ Registered Stallions 99 7 287 99 7,287 12 Grade Stallions 22 1,112 21 1,087 9 1 25 10 Totals 121 8,399 120 8,374 1 25 The public meeting for the County of Middlesex was held in London on the 19th of October. Among those present were Col. McEwen, Dr. Fitz- gerald, J. Courcey, Dr. Stevenson and Dr. Tennant. All agreed that there should be a license on stallions, and that the owner of a licensed horse should be entitled to a lien on the mare and foal for the amount of the service fee. ' 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 13 ESSEX. In the township of Maidstone there are three registered Roadsters and three Clydesdales, one of the latter being a grade. All are sound, but as types of the breeds the Clydesdales have the advantage. One of the Road- sters is a pacer. Excepting the two sires that had been doing their first season, the percentage of foals reported is not high. From |9 to $15 is charged for service fees. Some 800 mares ranging from general purpose to Roadsters, with a few draughts, are kept, but the average quality is only fair; average weight 1,100 Ibs. ; and average age 9 years. In Sandwich East township two Roadster stallions and one Percheron were inspected. The 600 mares to be found here are not of high quality, and average 9 years in age. Ten dollars is the service fee. Sandwich West is on a par with her sister township as regards mares, which are described as poor, of bad type, weighing about 1,050 Ibs. and numbering TOO, while the average age is 10 years. Two Clydesdale stallions, both imported, are kept. One is an excellent individual ; $12 and $16 are the stud fees charged. Rochester township is distinctly in favor of raising heavy horses and boasts of eleven stallions, four being Clydesdales, three Shires (one a grade), two Percherons and two French Canadians. One Clydesdale and one Perch- eron are also grades. They are reported as ranging, with one exception, from medium to very good. Fees charged are $7, $8, $10, and $14. Mares range from light type to a few draughts; they number 1,100, and are fair in quality, average weight being 1,100 Ibs., and age 8 years. Six Roadsters, three being pure-bred and three grades, and two Clydes- dales in their first season, comprise the siree^in Mersea township all being sound, but some not rating high in conformation and quality. There are about 1,000 mares in this district, some draught, some general purpose, and others Roadster. Their average quality is medium, the average weight 1,100 Ibs., and average age 8 years. From $10 to $15 is the service fee, while for one Roadster the fee is placed at $25. The Percheron is the predominant breed in Gosfield South township and this type prevails largely among the mares, the balance being Roadsters. The quality of the mares is only fair, and the average weight 1,100 Ibs. and average age 8 years. Of the eight stallions standing for service, 5 are pure- bred Percherons, one a German Coach, and two Roadsters. Of the eight, one is unsound, and the average rating is not high. Stud fees range from $10 to $12. In Maiden township only one stallion was inspected, a pure-bred Peroheron. three years old, reported as being a good one. There are 600 mares in this township, of a general purpose type, weighing about 1,100 Ibs., but only fair in qualny. Their average age is 8 years. In Gosfield North, too, only one stallion was seen, also a Percheron, 4 year old, that has not yet stood for service. The type of mares here is largely Percheron, scaling about 1,100 Ibs., quality being fair. In number they are about 700. their average age is 7 years. A Hnckney, two Clydesdales, a Perch'eron, a Thoroughbred, and Road- pter constitute the stallidn stock of Colchester South township. With the exception of one. the standard is not very high, but all are sound, ages run- ning from 6 to 15 years. Ten to fifteen dollars is the run of service fees, mostly at the lower figure. Mares number 700, and are principallv light in Ivpe, scaling 1.050 Ibs. with an average age of 8 years, while their average miality is not high. 14 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Essex — Continued. Colchester North has a somewhat similiar list of sires, viz., three Clydesdales, a Thoroughbred, a Percheron, £nd a Roadster, with ages from 4 to 16 years. The standard, too, is not as high as it should be, with one exception. Two of the horses were far advanced in years. The mares seen were fair in quality, averaging 1,150 Ibs., and are inclined to the draught type, with some Roadsters and Percherons. In number they are about 800, and their average age is 8 years. 1 ^ SJ i J: Breeding. 1 III M • o C j! . ||| * y a * fe ° o> '> o « § 2 G •*; o> « ® & \ 1" •> W-3 g O £ t> « $ Clydesdales, Imported 4 1,725 51 All Fairly good 340 IS Clydesdales, Canadian-bred • 8 1 644 8 All Good 722 11 Grades, Clydesdale 4 1,425 71 All ... Fair. . . 301 9 Shires, Imported, and Grades (1 pure-bred, 2 grades) 3 1,760 51 All . Very fair 305 11 Percherona, Imported 8 1,650 8 All .. Fair . 586 12 Percherons, Canadian-bred 2 1,500 31 All Good 125 10 Grades, Peroheron 2 1 400 6 Fair 100 10 Hackney, Imported 1 1,300 6 All Excellent . Standard-breds, Imported, »nd Roadsters, Canadian-bred, (6 im- ported, 1 Roadster, Canadian-bred) 7 1,084 10 All.... Fair 371 14 Grades, Roadster 8 1,130 6 7 .. Fair 333 10 Thoroughbreds 2 1,125 10 All .... Fair 165 11 German Coach Horses and French Canadian (1 German Coach, 2 French Canadian) 3 1,475 13 All ... Pretty good 279 10 Totals 52 3,627 MARKS. Townships. Number bred to stallions inspected in Township. Type. Average weight. Pounds. £. P &> Bdj f £ 4 Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. £ Si i i> > *• < Registered Stallions. . Grade Stallions 36 16 2,728 899 36 15 2,728 834 $ 12 9 $ 1 65 12 Totals 52 3,627 51 3,562 1 65 The meeting held at Essex was not large, but it was enthusiastic over the future of the horse trade of this Province. The roads were bad, and a number of the breeders who came in by train had to remain all night The meeting was unanimously in favor of a Licensing Act and also regis- tration. The only point upon which there was any difference was the amount of licensing fee, a fair majority wanting a moderate sum, and the balance going to the extreme. KENT. Some sections ofT Kent County seem to favor heavy horse breeding more than others, but the main type is the lighter breeds. The city of Chatham is a great light 'horse centre, and of the sires owned by horsemen in this city, ten in number, four are Roadsters, one a Hackney, two Percherons, two Cljdes, and one a Shire. The Roadsters are mostly a good class, and also the Hackney, while the two heavy breeds are fairly well represented. Two of the stallions are fifteen years old, and stud fees vary from flO to $15, while for three Roadsters $20 is the fee stated. The township of Raleigh inclines somewhat to the heavier breeds, there being two Clydesdales (one a grade), two Shires, a Percheron, and two Road- sters available here. The fee for a Roadster, $30, heads the list, the general run of fees being $10 and $13. All the horses are reported sound, and all have stood to, a good number of mares. Of these latter there are in this township about 1,500, weighing about 1,100 Ibs., and of fair average qual- ity. They vary in type from Percheron to Roadster and general 'purpose, and are of an average age of nme years. Tilbury East is mainly a heavy horse centre, there being five Clydes- dales (two grades) and one Coach stallion. The average quality is not as high as it might be, and three of the horses are getting on in years, one bein^r reported as unsound. Stud fees come at $9 to $15. Draught, genera] purpose, and Roadster are the three prevailing types among the mares in this section, which average in weight 1,200 Ibs., and are fair in quality, age averaging seven years. There are four Roadsters (two of them grades) and one Thoroughbred to a single Clydesdale stallion in Romney township, which indicates fairly well the type of mares kept, which are general purpose, Roadster, and some of heavier type of draught. Two of the stallions are aged, and with but two exceptions did not rank as high as they might. From $10 to $13 are the 16 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Kent — Continued. general fees charged for service, but for one Roadster the fee is $20. Marea are fair in quality, in weight averaging 1,150 Ibs., and in age seven years. With the exception of one Clydesdale all the stallions in the township of Zone are Roadsters, two of these and the Clydesdale scoring well as re- gards conformation and action. All are sound but one. Fees range from $10 to $20, Roadsters topping the list, as elsewhere. Mares of general pur- pose and Roadster tjpe, of about 1,100 Ibs. weight and medium quality, constitute the breeding stock of this township. Their average age is 8 years. Howard township is well represented in the number and variety of sires kept for service, which include two Hackneys, a German Coach, a French horse, two Cleveland Bays, a French Canadian horse, three Roadsters, two Coach horses, and six Clydesdales. Seven of these stallions are grades. They are mostly a good lot and the majority are sound, but two are 14 and 19 years old respectively. Ten to fifteen dollars is the range of fees for ser- vice, with one given as $20. In all there are some 1,800 mares of fair quality in the township, of an average weight of 1,200 Ibs., about a third being, of the draught tjpe, the rest general purpose and Roadsters. Their average age is eight years. All the six stallions inspected in Camden township were young horses and sound, three of them having been out for their first season. The average quality is fairly high, and the service fees follow the general rule from $10 to $15. There are 1,200 mares in the township, of Clydesdale, general pur- pose, and Percheron, type, whose quality is fair, and average weight about 1,150 Ibs., average age being seven years. Harwich township possesses what is rather a rarity in Ontario now, viz., Suffolk Punch sire. The heavy horse interests are served by two Clydesdales and two Shires, while there are in addition three Percherons, a Coach horse, and three Roadsters. Two of the stallions are grades. The majority are reported sound, but some are well up in years. The service fee is the usual range from $10 to $15. The percentage of mares bred out of the 3,000 in the township is about 35 per cent. They average 1,250 Ibs. in weight, and are mostly general purpose, with some draughts and Roadsters. Their average quality is fair, and age seven jears. No stallions appear to be located in Chatham township. There are about 1,000 mares, chiefly of Percheron and light type, weighing on an aver- age 1,100 Ibs., and only fair in quality, average age being seven years. Of the two stallioDs inspected in Dover township, one is a Percheron, the other a French Canadian, both pure-bred and of fair conformation. The fees are respectively, $15 and $11, and to them were bred rather more than a quarter of .the 800 Percheron type of mare found in this township, their average weight being 1,100 Ibs., quality only fair, and average age eight years. Orford township has one Percheron stallion four years old, sound and well rated, and has a good percentage of foals to its credit. There is also a Clydesdale and Coach horse. Service fees are from $8 to $10. About 800 mares are kept by farmers, being mostly of general purpose stamp, with a very fe-tf of heavier build. They average about 1,150 Ibs., and rate fairly well as to quality, age averaging about eight years. 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 17 Ken t — Continued. STALLIONS. Breeding. Number. Average Weight. Pounds. o be <5 9 so 2 I -< Serviceably sound. Average confirma- tion. Number of mares served. ® •2 &§ |i Clvdesdales Imported 6 1,825 7 All .... Very fair. . 404 $ 13 Clydesdales "Canadian-bred 7 1,657 10 6 Fair 565 10 Grades Clvdesdale 6 1,600 6 All .... Fairly Shire* Imported 5 1,750 8 All ... good Fair 463 399 10 12 Shires Canadian-bred 1 1,600 7 All .... Very fair . 85 10 Orades Shire 1 1,300 2 All .... Medium . . 9 12 Percherons Imported 5 1,493 9 Ail Very fair . 558 14 Percherons Canadian 3 1,590 6 All .. .. Very fair.. 335 11 Suffolk Punch 1 1,700 15 All Fair 110 12 Hackneys Imported 2 1,225 7i All .... Good 217 17 Hacknevs Canadian-bred 2 1,000 6 1 Good 14 10 Standard-bred" Imported . ... 12 1,130 s.l 10 . Good 561 17 Roadsters Canadian-bred 4 1,020 8 All .... Good 60 10 Grades Roadster 4 1,000 84 3 Only fair . 82 10 Thoroughbreds . 1 1,050 13 All Medium. . 70 12 Grades German Coach 4 1,300 10 All Fair 228 9 Cleveland Bays and Grades (1 pure- bred 3 grades). 4 '380 6 All ... Very fair . 342 10 French Canadian and Grades (2 pure-breds 1 grade 3 1 325 15 All .. Very fair . 314 11 Totals 71 4816 MARIS. Townships. Number of mares bred to Stallions inspected in Township. Type. 4J & 60 '<3 ^ DC ® r^ bfi CH il •< Average quality. Average age. City of Chatham 522 525 548 310 289 215 1,002 389 786 Light Roadster 1,050 1,100 1,200 1,150 1,100 1,100 1,200 1,150 1,250 1,100 1,100 Fair .... Fair .... Fair .... Fair.... Medium Only fair Fair .... Fair Fair .... Only fair Only fair 9 9 7 7 8 9 8 7 7 7 8 Raleigh Percheron, Roadster and General Purpose East Tilbury Draught, General Purpose and Road- ster Romnev Strongly General Purpose, Draught and Roadster Zone General Purpose and Roadster Orford Mostly General Purpose, balance Roadster Howard One-third Draught, balance General Purpose and Roadster Camden Clydesdales, General Purpose and Percheron Harwich Mostly General Purpose, a few Draught and some Roadsters Chatham A good many Percherons and light kinds Dover 230 Percherons Total 4,816 2— H.B. 18 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Kent — Concluded. MARKS BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Total. Serviceably sound . Not serviceably sound. Stallions. "o g |'S O OB (H C "° 6 »- 01 *- ** o I.* .£> — ll be 03 . II ,* £^3 5? S3 m p g Serviceably sound. Average con- formation. Number of mares served. 9 £ o> K Oi <1> > QQ Clydesdales, Imported 10 1 740 6 All Good 847 $ 14 Clydesdales, Canadian-bred 3 1 550 7 All Fair 354 10 Shires, Imported 1 .1 900 5 All Fair 110 15 Percherons 5 1 780 K All I.'.ij r 4X4. IK Hackneys, Imported 3 1 300 9.1 All 1 (II! 15 Hackneys, Canadian-bred 2 1 200 41 All Fairly 135 15 Grades, Hackney 1 • good . . Standard-breds, Imported 10 1 100 81 All • Fairly '->OQ 15 Roadsters, Canadian-bred . . 3 1 060 Q All good . . Medium . . Ifift Grades, Roadster 7 1 100 10 All Good Fair 1 GiA in Thoroughbreds, Imported 5 1 100 10 4 Fair OQO in Grades, Thoroughbred 2 1 050 All Fair 4ft in German Coach Horses, and French Canadian and Grade French Canadian (1 German, 1 French, Canadian, 1 French Canadian Grade) 3 1 325 All 99Q ift Total 55 o 1Rn 20 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Elgin — Concluded. MARES. 02 02 4-i •., N-2 d '53 | . Townships. 8 5*9 Type. cr SP oS o> O GP a i &> "s ^ i° OS 3 0) ° 2 0) o 2 *** •** ™ ^ ^^ > > Zi ^ Southwold 650 Draught, General Purpose and Roadster 1,200 Fair 7 Dunwich1 741 Two per cent, light, rest Draught . 1 350 Good 5 Yarmouth 324 General Purpose, Roadster and a \ few draught / 1,100 f Only \ fair. . 8 Malahide 751 Inclined to be light Hackney and Roadster 1,000 Fair. . 8 Bayham 288 Bad, very light . . . . ... 950 RnH 10 Aldboro 396 General Purpose and leaning to Clydesdale 1,150 Melium 9 Total .> 3,150 MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Total. Serviceablv sound. Not serviceably sound. Stallions. o g "o "g-j "° 6 |'|. "o o' *-| o •" O aj a| ||] II 3 02 III f, 0> OJ 0 CD 1 a^ Sc «3 S « K » fc * * $ $ Registered Stallions.. 44 2,845 43 2,775 13 1 70 10 Grade Stallions 11 305 11 305 9 Totals . 55 3,150 54 3,080 1 70 Public meetings in the County of Elgin were held at Aylmer on October 7th, and at St. Thomas -oil November 9th. At the Aylmer meeting the majority of those -present were in favor of stallions being licensed and registered, and it was also the opinion of the meeting that if an Inspection Act was enforced by the Government, there •would be no difference whether a horse were syndicated or bought by a pri- vate individual. It was suggested that more time be devoted to questions relating to the breeding of horses at Farmers' Institute meetings, or that a special series of educational meetings should be held. It was stated that the sale of too many good mares, the use of too many poor stallions, the indiscrim- inate breeding of horses, and the importation of western horses, all contri- buted to the depreciation of the quality of our horses. At the St. Thomas meeting it was resolved that the report prepared and presented by the St. Thomas and Elgin Hoise Association be adopted. This report stated that resolutions had been passed favoring the syndicating of stallions, in favor of a Stallion Inspection Act, and in favor of the Gov- ernment giving prizes for mares at horse shows and fairs in the County of Klgin. 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 21 LAMBTON. In Brooke township, heavy breeds are to the light as 5 to 4. Three Clydesdales and two Shires, all pure-bred, and four Roadsters (one a grade), compose the list of sires. All are rated sound. Two are 13 years old. Their standard, as regards conformation, action and general worth is very fairly good. Ten dollars is the lowest, and fifteen the highest fee charged. The 1,200 mares kept are somewhat of the draught type, others are gen- eral purpose, and a few Eoadsters. Average weight runs about 1,150 Ibs., while quality is medium, and the average age 7 years. The breeding stock of mares in Euphemia township, totals 700, are gen- eral purpose in style, and average 1,100 Ibs. Their quality is ocly medium, and average age 9 years. Two Clydesdale sires, and one Hack- ney are kept for service; two of these have only been standing for service for one season. No unsoundness is reported, and the average rating is fairly good. For one Clydesdale, a grade, the service fee is $8, for the pure- bred, |12. As the 1,800 mares kept in Warwick township are mostly draught, with some Eoadsters, we find Clydesdale sires in the majority. The mares average 1,250 Ibs., their quality is good, and average age is 6 years. No less than 8 out of the 13 stallions in service are Clydesdales, only o e be- ing a grade. Roadsters come next in point of numbers with four, two of which are grades, and there is one Carriage stallion. Four of the total are newcomers. The average for conformation, and action is fairly good. Starting with $8 for a grade, the service fees run up to $12. In Plympton township there are about 1,200 mares of very mixed type, averaging 1,100 Ibs., and only fair in quality, with an average age of 8 years. Stallions number 18, 12 pure-breds, and 6 grades. Service fees are as low as $7, and as high as $12. Most of the stallions are sound, and barring some very aged horses, scored fairly well. Roadsters lead with eight. Clydesdales number six, and there is one each of Shires, French Canadians, German Coach, and Thoroughbreds. Bosanquet township favors Clydesdales, 3 out of 4 of the sires being of that breed, and the other a German Coach. All are sound, but the aver- age quality is not as high as it might be. There is considerable of a Clydes- dale type in the 1,500 mares in this township, their average weight being 1,200 Ibs., and quality fair, and average age 7 years. Service fees are $10 to $15. In Sarnia towrship breeding proceeds largely on Roadster lines, there being four sires of this breed to one Clydesdale, one Percheron and a Hack- ney. Three of the Roadsters are grades; all the sires are sound. In con- formation the average is fair, but the percentage of colts is small. Ten to fifteen dollars are the fees charged. The report on the mares describes them as of general purpose type, and not very good, averaging 1,100 Ibs. in weight, and in quality not as good as they might be. -Their average age is 9 years. Considering that in Moore township there are about 1,100 mares of fair quality, weighing 1,200 Ibs., and mpstly of Clydesdale and Shire draught type, the balance being Roadster and Percheron, the proportion of 5 Clydes- dale stallions to one Percheron, a German Coach Horse, and three Road- sters is not excessive. Of the stallions, three are grades, and all are fairly sound, while four are well up in years. Four rank well as to conformation and action, and others are about the average. Service fees are comparatively small, $7 to $12. 22 REPORT OF 'SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Lambton - Continued. Two Roadsters, a Clydesdale, and a Percheron represent the breeds as sires in Sombra township, which contains 700 mares, general purpose and mixed in type and not very good in conformation or quality. They aver- age 1,050 Ibs., and average age is 9 years. The stallions are all sound, and are fair in conformation and action. They are all grades. Fees are low from $7 to $10. Medium is the quality of the mares in Dawn township, which average 1,150 Ibs. in weight, and are of a medium Clydesdale type, some having Roadster and Shire characteristics. Their .average age is 8 years. There are only three stallions in the township, two 'Clydesdales (one a grade), and a Shire, the latter in his first season. They do not average very high in ratirg, and service fees average from $8 to $15, the former for the grade. In Enniskillen township, sires of the heavy breeds are in the majority, there being five Clydesdales (two being grades), one Shire, two Roadsters, and a French Canadian. With four exceptions the quality is not extra good, but all are fairly sound. In ages, they range from 2 to 9 years, and service fees from $8 to $12. The percentage of foals is fairly good in most cases. Mares total 1,200, and are of Clydesdale and Roadster type. Their average weight is 1,200 Ibs., quality fair and average age 7 years. STALLIONS. Breeding. Number. •*i "O 111 £ ».£ •< | <5 Serviceably. sound. Average conforma- tion. • u §TJ' JSlg S-S5 p o • to 9 £ a> D Q} V « > L O> 0> ^ *^^ ^ Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. a SP . 2 » *•*!< «« Registered Stallions., lirade Stallions 53 27 5,096 1,469 53 27 5,096 1,469 $ ll 9 $ Totals 80 6,565 80 6,565 The public meeting for the county of Lambton was held at Petrolea, on November 19th. There were present about thirty breeders and others interested in horse breeding. After considerable discussion, those present put themselves on record as favorable to an Inspection and Licensing Act, and that after a reason- able time, there should be compulsory legislation. Some of the reasons given at the meeting for inferior quality among the horses were the sale of the best mares to outside buyers, the syndicating of inferior stallions, and the inability of the average farmer to detect unsoundness. The use of in- ferior sires, owing to .cheaper fees charged, was also one prominent cause of deterioration of stock. An informal meeting was held in the Council Chamber, Forest, No- vember 13th. It was unanimously agreed that an Inspection and Reg- istration Act would help the horse industry. The holding of spring shows for stallions, under the auspices of the Agricultural Society was highly recommended. 24 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. '65 SPECIAL REPORT OF INSPECTORS. In the first place we wish to say that it is not possible flor us to give as full and comprehensive a report as we would have' done had more time been placed at our disposal. We were not able to inspect every stallion in each district, and therefore did not come in contact with the breeders and users of such animals. However, we are of the opinion that the Department could not have made a more popular move than to give consideration to the adoption of an Inspec- tion and License Act. Resolutions in favor of these points have been unani- mously adopted at all our meetings, and in fact by all individuals with whom we had the privilege of talking about these subjects. As to the condition of the horse breeding industry, we might say that it certainly requires some directing. There are many causes for Ihe present -condition. The first and greatest has been indiscriminate and careless breed- ing. In the second place we hear complaints from the owners of! stallions, of the great scarcity of good mares of all breeds or types to breed from. Dur- ing our trip this was a very noticeable fact. Some attribute it to the high prices being offered by farmers and breeders of Manitoba and the other west- ern provinces. This may be partially true at the present time; still we can- not but think that carelessness and lack of interest, or, in other words, la§ck of foresight on the part of the farmers and breeders, is to a great extent re- sponsible for the present bad conditions of our brood mares. As a Province we are peculiarly situated, having perhaps better facilities in this country than in any other for the breeding of high class, well bred horses of any type or breed. Our surroundings are such as to bring us in close proximity to the best markets of America. In fact, some years ago the great republic to the south of us were purchasers of a great number of high class horses which were bred in our Province at that time, namely, the draught horse, and the high class harness and saddle horse; and we venture to say if the people of this Province had been more careful to breed along the lines of the foundation laid in this country thirty or forty years ago, we would to-day be head and shoulders above any other country in being able to produce the best of the above mentioned classes. The existing evils can partially be remedied by education, but the gen- eral opinion is that an Inspection Act will have the greatest tendency to im- prove the present conditions, from the fact that no stallion inferior in breed- ing and individuality would then be given a permit to go into commission. Therefore the breeders and users will not have to withstand the solicitations of wily horse owners inducing them to use undesirable animals, which, coupled with a desire for a cheap fee, has been one of the chief factors in bringing about the present low standard. It is impossible to buy a first-class horse for commercial use from the farmers of this Province. Another cause which stands out prominently as a factor leading to the present conditions is the syndicating system. This fact has been impressed upon us for a number of years, and we found on our trip over five counties that in nearly every case animals sold by this system were of a very inferior quality, and cost from twenty to thirty per cent, more than a first-class ani- mal of the same breed cost private individuals. This has also been the opin- ion of most of the people we met, and we believe that it is high time that this kind of unscrupulous plundering was stopped. Another reason why an inspection placed in competent hands would be of great service, is that it would have a tendency to make importers and speculators more careful in making their selections, knowing that individuals 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 25 Report Inspector* District 1 — Concluded. or companies would not purchase unless the animal or animals had passed inspection. LICENSING FEES. In considering what fee should be charged in connection with licensing, it would be well to have as low a rate as possible, so that the horsemen might not consider it a hardship. In discussing this point at our meetings the con- census of opinion was that the fee should be large enough to make the Act workable. Some are of the opinion that five dollars should be the outside charge. We also think that this amount would be quite within the bounds of reason, and would be satisfactory to all concerned. This fee, of course, would cover the cost of issuing the license and inspection permit. PUBLIC MEETINGS. Public meetings were held at Chatham, Aylmer, St. Thomas, Forest, London, Essex and Petrolea. In each place the meetings were small in num- bers, but made up for that in enthusiasm. Each meeting entered heartily into tne discussion of the several points in question, namely, the licensing and inspection of stallions, together with a recommendation for registration. In every case we endeavored to encourage discussio-n on the part of those attending the meeting, our part being to receive the views placed before us. In each meeting we asked for a vote coupling together the license and inspec- tion, taking up the registration separately. Each meeting gave an unani- mous vote in favor of each of these votes. From the apparent feeling of those we came in contact with in the district visited by us, we are firmly of tne opinion that public opinion is ready for regulations of this nature. As TO CONDITIONS FOUND IN EACH COUNTY. Middlesex and East Lambton have probably the greatest number of good stallions in each and every class; they have also the best class of brood mares. East and West Elgin come next, having a few as good as any we have seen in the above mentioned counties. vv est jbanioton being a comparatively new district, is somewhat behind, but breeders seem to evince a desire to improve their conditions. East and West Kent seem to pay more attention to the producing of speed, irrespective of conformation and quality, yet in these ridings we met a few extra good types of the standard-bred trotting horse. North Essex is away behind in all classes. We only saw one fairly good stallion in that riding. South Essex has a mixed breed of a very poor quality. As to the conditions predominating in each county, we find that they have all equal facilities for breeding any class of horse required for the market, of this or any country. In our opinion the horse industry is one of the greajtest, if not the great- est, branch of live stock, and we, together with all interested in the industry, are glad that the present important step has been taken, and trust, and in fact know, that you will receive the strong support of every right thinking man. In conclusion, we think it would be well for the Department to place before the breeders of the Province the real requirement's of our existing markets, what they are at present, and also the great expectations in connec- tion with the development of our country. (Signed) WM. SMITH, J. D. GRAHAM. 2t> REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 DISTRICT NO. 2. Counties. — Halton, Wentworth, Brant, Oxford, Norfolk, Haldiruand, AVelland and Lincoln. Inspectors. — John Gardhouse, Highfield; Wm. Cain, Y.S., Perth. HALTON. In the township of Esquesing the majority of the sires are of the lighter breeds, but two Clydesdales are kept for service. The different breeds re- presented are Roadsters, four (two being grades), Carriage, two (one a grade), and Clydesdales, two. In one instance the stallion was not seen owing to his owner being away from home. The average of soundness is low, only about one-half, while conformation also averages only fair. The service fees are correspondingly low, from $6 to flO, with one of $15. The Carriage stal- lions are among the best of those seen. Mares number but 262, of an aver- age weight of 1,050 Ibs. and average age 9 years; they are poor in type, and average quality is very poor. In commenting on this township the Inspec- tors say : "A large percentage of the stallions in this township should never be used for breeding purposes. Your committee are of the opinion that tht> horse industry would be very much improved in this ,township by the intro- duction of a few good stallions, as well as a large number of mares." In Nassagaweya township there are four stallions, and only one pure- bred among them, — a Percherpn. The rest are grades of Percheron, Read- ier, and the French-Canadian type, respectively. All are sound, 'and their conformation is generally good, the pure-bred being reported as of good ;ype. flO is the fee generally charged for service. There are 358 mares in the township, poor in type and average quality, average weight being 1,100 •bs. and age 9 years. Most of the mares in the township are bred. There are a few very good mares, but most are of no breeding, and not of good qua- lity. One of the stallions would have made a good gelding. Trafalgar township has long been noted as a breeding ground for light horses, of which some good specimens have been bred in the past. The lean- .ng is still towards light horses, as is seen by the list of sires, among which are three Thoroughbreds, two Carriage horses (one a grade), two Hackneys, a German Coach, a Standard-bred, 'two Percherons (one a grade), two Clydes- dales (one a grade), and a Shire grade. Eleven out of the list are sound and with the exception of four are of a good or fairly good type. Service fees are irom $10 to $15, but in the case of a Thoroughbred the fee is given as $50. 'ares number 784, and are of fair type and quality, averaging in weight 1,150 Ibs. The Inspectors state : "Farmers in this township appear to be Baying a little more attention to breeding, and also to the selection of sires, though, perhaps using more light sires than is in the best interests of the horse industry in. a township like Trafalgar. A few young pure-bred mares have been purchased by farmers in this township for breeding purposes." Nelson township TUBS a little more to heavy horses than Trafalgar. There are four Clydesdales and a Shire, all pure-bred, standing for service here 'as against two Standard-breds and a Roadster. Of the eight sires, six ;ire sound or serviceably sound, and their type and conformation is mostly trood. Two are 16 years old. There are a few very good registered mares in the township, but the type and quality of the majority, of the mares are '^oor. They average in weight, 1,100 Ibs., and in age 7 years. More atten- tion is paid to the breeding of heavy houses in Nelson township than in any of the other townships in Halton county. 1'HXi ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 27 Halton — Continued. Inspectors' Remarks: "In the county of Halton your committee think thait the heavy horse is the most suitable one for the average farmer to breed. We find that there are very few good mares to breed from, and no system Hallowed by most of the breeders, some mares with one, two and even three heavy crosses in them being bred to poor light stallions, and poor light mares being bred to heavy horses. We also found that too often when a farmer has u mare that is used up and no good, he at once breeds her and tries to raise ;t colt. Suggestions were made that the Ontario Department of Agriculture distribute some literature that would impress on the farmers the advisability of breeding to type, and only breeding such mares as are suitable to raise colts that are sound, and that this would help the horse industry very much." STALLIONS. Breeding. Number. - -i oS-8 SPSS g*£ •< Average age. Serviceably sound. Average conforma- tion. Number of mares served. 1 &.§ gz: ££ < Clydesdales, Imported, Canadian- bred and Grades (4 Imported ; 3 Canadian-bred, 1 Grade) 8 1,635 5 3 Fairly good. 485 $ 10 Shires, Imported and Grades (1 Pure-bred • 1 Grade) ? 1,800 11 All.. Fairly good. 210 12 Percherons. Imported 2 1,800 5 All.... Good 90 Grades Percheron 2 1,575 5 All... Good 170 10 Hackneys, Imported and Canadian- bred (1 Imported ; 1 Canadian- bred) 2 1,050 4 1 Good 90 14 Standard-bred?1, Imported ?, 1,100 9 AIL... Good 65 11 Roadsters Canadian-bred s 1,060 6 2 Fairly good. 140 9 4 1,160 12 All Fairly good. 183 10 Thoroughbreds, Imported 3 1,170 14 All Good 179 20 German Coach Horses and Grades and French Canadian Grades (1 Grade Coach ; 1 Grade French Canadian ; 1 German Coach Horse) ft 1,345 7 All .... Good 347 10 Totals 84 1,959 MARES. 5R G £ o t •« r^» .a £ .SP 13 0) Townships. V. 5 fJ ^ Type. fe • l> OD s O" ap (j3 r^ 4) C be G Bfl two ^ ^ & • g 9 £? C r | §3 ^P 9 « ^ f^ ••* r^ ^ ^H > > 2i "^ ** ^ Trafalgar 784 Some Clvdesdale Carriage and a few Roadsters 1,150 Fair . . . g Esquesing 352 Light mostlv ... 1,050 Very poor 9 Nassagaweya 358 General Purpose as a rule 1 100 Poor. 9 Nelson 465 Heavy, with a few light 1 100 Poor 7 Total 1,959 2S REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Halton. — Concluded. MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions, i Total. Serviceably sound. Not serviceably sound . Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. B y 2 4> ~ **• > 1 O1 0) > -< OJ 5) 3 to < East and West Flamboro. 410 Mostly small, a few good registered Clydesdales 1,150 Poor .... 6 Beverly 538 A few registered Clydesdales and Shires, balance light 1,150 Fair 7 City of Hamilton and Barton 193 Light and rather poor o 1,100 Poor .... 7 Saltfleet 120 Light and rather poor. . .' 1,000 Poor .... 8 Binbrook 534 More inclined to general purpose . . . 1,100 Fair 8 Glanford 280 Light as a rule 1,050 Fair 8 Ancaster 415 Some Imported and Canadian-bred 8 heavy mares, others general purpose and light 1,150 Fairly eood . . 8 Total 2,490 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. ] I 'ent worth — Concluded . MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Total. Serviceably Sound. Not Serviceably Sound. "o . "o g "o g 9 *o . O 4> d Stallions. 00 pq O QC a S | pq »H O — OD «- 0 >H GO OP (H O •— ru v -2=3 S -3 SCO fl} Ql X2 ** e|o 1 llo 0) £~ 11 §OQ ^s 0 fc « fc % •^ « 15 ^ . $ $ Registered Stallions. 30 1,271 28 1,262 13 2 9 8 Grade Stallions 20 1,219 18 1,091 9 2 128 9 Totals 50 2,490 46 2,353 4 137 The public meeting for this county was held at Dundas on October 16th. Those present were in favor of the Government taking some steps to prevent poor, inferior, and unsound stallions from being used for breeding purposes, and if the time is ripe to have all stallions inspected. Some of the speakers stated that the stallions now used for breeding are not as good as those that used to travel some years ago. BRANT. While South Dumfries township favors the heavier sires to a consid- erable extent, having two Clydesdales, two Percherons, a general purpose grade, a French Canadian grade of a heavy type, and' a grade Carriage horse, there is plenty of room for improvement in the ratings of the major- ity of them as regards soundness, COD formation and quality. There are a number of very good mares in this township, some being newly imported Clydesdales. The general run of mares is of fairly good type, and very good quality, being young and of good average weight. From $8 to $15 is the run of service fees. Brantford township has a fair representation of sires, consisting of five Clydesdales (of which no less than three are grades), two Hackneys, a Percheron, a general purpose horse, and a grade French horse. While some are of pretty fair type, the Inspectors state that some should not be used as sires. As regards soundness nearly all qualify as serviceably sound. Service fees vary from $7 and $8 for grades, to $15 for pure-breds. The general run of mares is rather poor as regards type and quality, 1,150 Ibs. being the average weight, and 10 years the average age. A few Hackneys of a better type have lately been imported. Not many heavy mares are being bred. Nothing but grade stallions, two Roadsters, a Carriage horse, and a general purpose horse were seen on the Indian Reserve, $10 is charged for service fee. The number of mares kept is 175, and out of these the In- spectors only saw two that looked like being useful brood mares. They re- port this section as being one in which many useful horses could be raised, and that something should be done to raise the standard of the horses, especially as to ^ introducing heavy horses, as most of the land is heavy. Brantfoid city and neighborhood, are well known as a centre of Stan- dard-bred breeding, almost to the exclusion of other breeds. In the heavy REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Braiit. — Continued. line, nothing better than two Clydesdale grades are found, only one of which was seen by the Inspectors. They were also unable to see several of the others. Besides eleven Roadsters and Standard-breds (five of which are grades), and the two grade Clydesdales, there are, a Hackney, a Hackney pony, a Shetland pony, and a German Coach horse. A few are rated high, but several are below the average, and some are unsound. The fees for services are in general from $9 to $15, with one quoted at $20, one at $25, and one at $50, all three being for Roadsters. Mares are on the whole a very inferior lot, but there are a few very good light ones. Their average weight is 1,000 Ibs., and age 10 years. The Inspectors think that too many trotting bred stallions are being used for breeding purposes, and that the horse interests would be served by the introduction of a few good pure-bred heavy stallions. The stallions located in Burford township are a very poor lot, being all grades, one of Hackney blood, one Roadster, one Belgian, and the other general purpose. Service fees are $8 to $10. Mares are also a very poor class, not exceeding 1,000 Ibs. in weight. The Inspectors comment as fol- lows: "We understand that a few fair horses made stands in this town- ship from adjoining townships." Inspectors' Remarks : "The county of Brant is well supplied with stallions so far as numbers are concerned, but there are not enough of the right kind. Brant is well adapted for the raising of heavy horses, and we think that if farmers and breeders would pay more attention to the breed- ing and raising of heavy horses, it would be a great advantage both to themselves and to the horse industry of this county." STALLIONS. Breeding. Number. a) "? "3 HI 1- 45 o £*& •4 Average age. Serviceably sound. Average con- formation. Number of marea served. Average ser- vice fee. Clydesdales Imported 3 1,850 7 All.. Fair 345 9 14 Clydesdales Canadian-bred 1 1,560 2 All .... Good Grades Clydesdale 5 1,600 9 4.- Fair 355 7 3 1,870 5 All .... Fairly 208 13 Hackneys Imported 2 975 6 All .... pood . . Fairly 190 12 Hackneys Canadian-bred 2 1,250 4 All.. good. . Fair 210 15 Grades, Hackney 1 950 2 All .... Fair 8 10 Standard-breds Imported 3 1,120 8 All .... Good 180 18 Roadsters Canadian-bred 3 1,090 6 2 Fairlv 55 15 Grades Roadster 8 1,000 7 6 good . . Fair 95 10 German Coach Horses and Grades (1 Pure-bred 2 Grades) 3 1,125 3£ 1 Fair 138 10 Grades, French Canadian and Bel- gian (2 French Canadian, 1 Bel- 3 1,525 10 2 Fair 140 9 Shetland Pony 1 Grades (general purpose) • • 4 1,300 io 3 Onlv fair. . 270 8 Totals 42 2,194 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 33 Brant — Concluded. MARES. QD $ c £ 2 . 5:5 2 H £ ' a-3£ d o> 3 • Townships. °-sl"f Type •5 cr a) 1 a> .s-gs,* CS5 1 1 llaS i C a) C 8P . £ o> 0^ OJ >«* 19 23 1,270 924 18 16 1,270 691 $ 15 9 1 7 j $ 233 Q 42 2,194 ! 34 1,961 8 233 The public meeting of Brant was held at Brantford, OD October the 20th. There were not very many present, but every one there was giveii the opportunity to express his views. One speaker said that the only way to improve the standard of their horses was for the Ontario Department of Agricultme to get the Legislature to pass an Act making it compulsory that all stallions kept for service be inspected and registered. Another speaker said that while that would be -a very stringent measure, he was unable to see how they were going to get rid of the mongrel class in any other way, and all were agreed that the mongrel horse was and has been most detrimental to the horse industry. As regards syndicating stallions, those presant were generally agreed that the system could be successfully carried out, if there were not too many in the syndicate, acd the horses were purchased at their proper value. 3 H.B. 3-4 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 OXFORD. There are a number of very good imported heavy stalliona and mares in West Oxford township; also some good Hackneys. In spite of this many farmers are using some of the grade sires to be found here, for one of which, a grade Clydesdale, only $6, is asked for service fee. The usual range, how- ever, is from $10 to |15, and one as high as $20. Among those on service are six pure-bred Clydesdales, one grade Clydesdale, two Hackneys, three grade Carriage horses, four Roadster grades, and a Coach grade. The majority are sound, but some are well up in years, .one as old as 21 years. In this township are a number of very good Clydesdale fillies imported this year, and the average type and quality of the mares in the township, estimated at 680, is fairly good, average weight being 1,200 Ibs. The number of stallions in North Norwich township is not large, con- sisting of three, all grades, one respectively of Standard-bred, French, and Clydesdale blood. They are all sound. Eight and ten dollars are the ser- vice fees charged. Mares are only a fair, lot, in number 250 and not of a distinctive type. Stallions are more numerous in South Norwich township, among them being a good Clydesdale, Hacknej and Percheron. Here, too, we find three g-rade sires, a Belgian, a general purpose, and a cross-bred Clydesdale and Shire. The service fees are as low as $8, and from $10 to $15 as the gen- eral run. The mares here are 420 in number, of a fair type and quality in general, while there are some 20 or 30 imported fillies to be found in the township, which are a very good lot, too good for some of the stallions used, so the Inspectors say. Nineteen stallions travel in Dereham township, no less than eight be- ing grades, and some of them of an inferior tjpe, not to mention unsound- ness. Among them are four pure-bred Clydesdales, one Shire, one Thorough- bred, four Roadsters, and a Percheron; while the grades are six Roadsters, one -Belgian and a Clydesdale. The service fees range from eight to fifteen dollars, the lowest, of course, for grades. Mares are of various types, being :only fair in quality, and evidently too many are being bred to poor sires. There is an improvement of quality in the sires in North Oxford town- ship, although only four in all, all being pure-breds, three Clydesdales and one a Standard-bred; all, .too, are sound. From $10 to $15 are the service fees charged. Mares share in the improvement in qualitj which is fair, and there are a few very nice imported Clydesdale fillies and some Hackney fillies in the township. "There are some useful animals in Blenheim township," say the In- spectors, "and most of the farmers seem to be breeding heavy horses and showing good judgment in the selection of sires." Out of the seven stal- lions found here, however, there are only three pure-breds (two Cljdesdale and a Percheron) to four grades (two of Clydesdale, one of Roadster, and one of Carriage blood). Here fees run from $8 to $15. There are some very good mares to be found in the township, the average weight being 1,250 Ibs,., and average quality fair. With the exception of a grade Roadster all the ten stallions found in Woodstock and the adjoining township of Blandford are registered. Quite a variety of sires are kept, ranging from two Clydesdales, fhree Standard- t)reds, a Thoroughbred, a Hackney, and an Arabian, to a Shetland poin . With a 'single exception thej are sound, though not grading as high in quality and conformation as they might, a fact commented on by the Inspec- tors, who found some useful mares here, including a few imported Clydes- dales. The general run of mares average 1,200 Ibs., and are fair in type and Duality. 3a H.B 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 35 Oxford — Continued . The townships of East and West Zorra are well known as a section where heavy horses are well patronized, and, consequently we find nearly all the sires of the heavy breeds. Six Clydesdales (one a grade) a Shire, a Hack- ney and a Roadster comprise the total, and they all are rated fairly well, while the lowest service fee is $11, and the highest $20. Mares, too, among which are a number of excellent imported Clydesdale fillies, average verj good and are of a good type, weighing about 1,300 Ibs., and average age six years. Of East Nissouri the Inspectors say : "In this township we did not see one real good stallion, but we learned that a few good imported heavy stal- lions from adjoining townships made stands in East Nissouri." The mares here are of a fairly good type, in weight about 1,150 Ibs., and in quality very good. A number of them are registered Clydesdales, and a good many are of a very fair type with two or three crosses of heavy blood. Out of the six sires only one, a German Coach horse is pure-bred. There are three grade Clydesdales, and two Roadster grades. Inspectors' Remarks : "In Oxford county there has been during the last few years quite a number of good imported Clydesdale stallions brought in, also a number of good imported young mares, which, if taken advantage of by the farmers, should, if properly mated, improve the present standard very much. As far as we are able to learn many of the farmers appear to be breeding a better class of mares and showing very good judgment in the selection of sires, but there are still quite a number that are using the poor, cheap horse." STALLIONS. Breeding. Number. ao g < Serviceably sound. Average conforma- tion. Number of mares , served. V 49 &-S o> 5 > » > 15 g O" 0> 1 M Q) ?•£ •£ *" Number of Stallions. Number of mares bred to. 1, V £> •<- 47 35 2,734 1,457 47 28 2,734 1,359 13 9 7 98 8 82 4,191 75 4,093 7 98 At the public meeting held at Woodstock, October 27th, attendance was not large, but most of the speakers seemed to think that stallions should be inspected. Some claimed that all stallions used for breeding purposes should be registered, while others asserted that it would not do to shut out stallions which had proved themelves good sires, although they could not be registered, claiming that really good individuals should be allowed a permit. It was thought that there should be an Act passed giving the stal- lion owners a lien on the mare as soon as she is bred. With regard to syndi- cating stallions, opinions were given that in some sections, if a syndicate was formed of four or five men and they selected a first-class stallion, better sat- isfaction would be given than the present system of syndicates which include too many men. 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 37 i NORFOLK. In Townsend township there are only two pure-bred sires out of thir- teen, and with few exceptions they are not of a very good standard a] though there is only one case of unsoundness. The pure-breds are a Percheron and a Hackney. Grades are of Clydesdale, Hackney, Roadster, and general purpose stock. A Clydesdale grade is giving service for $5, the highest fee ;s $15. for the Percheron. "Too many farmers are using grade sires. A few good heavy mares have been bought by breeders during the year." Woodhouse Gore township is fortunate in being in close proximity to Sim- coe, where a number of very good imported horses are owned. These are for sale. Some good fillies, too, have been imported and will make useful brood mares. Otherwise the quality of the average mare is fair. Weight 1,200 Ibs., and type very fair. ;There is only one grade sire, a Hackney, out of nineteen kept. Of the eighteen pure-bred, nine are Clydesdales, two Shires, three Hackneys, three Percherons and one Standard-bred. Fees run from $10 to $15. All are 'sound and no less than eleven were imported last July. In Windham township are a pure-bred Clydesdale, a registered Stand- ard-bred and a Percheron grade, and strange to say, the grade earns a larger fee than the second named. $9 to $10 are the fees charged. All sires are sound. Mares are a very poor lot, with only a rare exception. While the i&oil of Middleton township is light, and light breeds can be profitably raised, there is room for great improvement in the quality of the horses found here. There are very few good mares, the type and quality being described as poor. 'The average weight is 1,050 Ibs. There are kept for service three pure-bred Roadsters, a Clydsdale, a Hackney, and a Roadster grade, and a general purpose grade. As high as $15, and as low as $8 is charged for fees. No unsoundness is reported. The stallions in North Walsingham township are not of a very high order, tnere being too many inferior horses in service, and there is some unsoundness among them. Out of the thirteen, eight are grades of Clydes- dale, Roadster, Hackney, and French stock. Among the pure-breds are four Clydesdales and a SuffolK Punch, one of the best. A Hackney grade and a Roadster grade have the lowest service fees, $5; other fees are $7, $8, $9, $10 ar.d $12. There are practically no good mares in this township, and their average weight is about 1,100 Ibs. Charlotteville is another township that has a poor class of mares, and as many of the farmers are breeding to inferior grade stallions, prospects are not very bright for raising the standard of horse flesh here. There are only two pure-bred sir?s, Clydesdales. The rest are two grade Clydesdales, a grade Percheron, and a grade Roadster, and fets are from $6 to $12. With two exceptions the average of the sires in Woodhouse township is not high, and also there are very few good mares in the section, the gen- eral run being poor. Among pure-bred sires kept, are a Hackney, a Tho- roughbred, a German Coach horse, and a Percheron, while grades are of Clydesdale, German Coach, Hackney, and Standard-bred blood. Five to twenty-five dollars are the fees for service. The only representatives of registered stock in Houghton township are a Hackney and a Suffolk Punch. Other sires are a Belgian, Clydes- dale, and Roadster, all grades. Service fees run from $8 to $12. Mares are a very poor lot, and there is room for some good heavy stallions. Inspectors' Remarks : "The County of Norfolk is very well supplied in some townships with a very good class of stallions, there having been a number of good imported horses brought out this year, a number of them 38 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Norfolk — Continued. being held by the importers for sale. If two or three good men would join together and select a good first-class stallicn at a reasonable price, and a number of these were kept in the county it would help to improve the standard of the horses veiy much, as some of the townships have a very inferior lot of stpllions." STALLIONS. Breeding. Number. ®^'2 g)_bcg t- *<5 PI HA < Average age. Serviceably sound. Average conforma- tion. Number of mares served. ® <*S 8>§ |l •4 Clydesdales, Imported 14 1,650 5 All.. Fairly good 663 $ 12 Clydesdales, Canadian-bred 3 1,700 4 All.... Fair 230 10 Grades, Clydesdale 7 1,450 6 All.... Fair 225 8 Shires, Imported 2 1,650 2 All Good 1 15 Percherons 5 1,760 4 All.... Fair 160 12 Grades, Percheron 2 1,375 3* All Only fair . 33 10 Suffolk Punch 2 1,800 7 All Fairly good 157 10 Hackneys, Imported and Thorough- breds, Imported (4 Hackneys, 1 Thoroughbred) 5 1,150 9 All.... Good 208 12 Hackneys, Canadian-bred 3 1,300 7 All .... Good 380 14 Grades, Hackney 5 1,000 3 All Fair 226 8 Roadsters Canadian-bred 6 1,130 9 All.... Fair 397 10 Grades, Roadster 13 1,175 9 9 Fair 869 9 German Coach Horses 1 1,400 8 All .... Fair 20 10 Grades, German Coach 1 1,250 4 All Fair 65 8 Grades — French Canadian, Belgian and General Purpose (1 French Canadian, 1 Belgian, 3 general purpose) . . 5 1,265 7 All.... Fair 369 8 Totals 74 4,003 MARES. Townships. Number of Mares bred to Stallions inspected in Township . Type | 5 * 1 •4 >> 'cS P & 0) 1 0) • «4 > & ,C s- T3 T; 03 g §S£ iz; o SP • tH 0> *«2 I 0) Serviceal sound. §>i crt Q •~ £ ££ Number rnares served l| 710 4 All .. Fair 307 $ 11 650 4 All Fair 160 13 530 7 All .... Fair 215 9 725 9 1 Fair 148 11 150 5 All.... Fair 130 12 135 13 AH;. Fair 204 12 045 6 All .... Fair 177 9 150 4 All .... Fair 80 7 200 7 All .... Fair 22 7 1,443 MARES. ££ jj^ o •jj fci 5 T^- £ be 13 . Townships. 'o^'S'S Type. 1 0 1 0>£ 8 C OJ §0 o bo ql&l 2? £ 1 9 ^ — --H f"1 ^ > > S5 -0 •4 ^ Wainfleet 157 General purpose .... 1,150 Fair . . . 10 Pelham 417 A few heavv, mostly light 1,150 Just fair 9 Humberstone 230 Poor, light kind 1,000 Poor. . . 10 Bertie 262 Poor, light kind .... .... 1,100 Inferior 10 Willoughby 92 Poor, light kind 1,100 Poor . . . 9 Stamford 95 Poor, light kind 1,050 Poor. . . 9 Crowland 190 Poor, light kind 1 100 Poor . . . 10 Total 1,443 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Welland — Concluded. MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions. Total. Serviceably sound. Not serviceably sound. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. 0) >H 05 «eT Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. o> g> £ « o> - r> "*"' <1 Registered Stallions . . Grade Stallions 13 15 909 534 12 15 859 534 • •p 12 9 1 50 $ 11 Totals 28 1,443 27 1,393 1 50 The Welland meeting on the evening of November 14th was not very well attended, and not much information was gleaned. The general opinion of those present appeared to be opposed to the present system of syndicating stallions. One speaker was in favor of inspection, and a few in favor of a Licensing Act. All present agreed that the horses in Monck and Welland were of a very poor type and quality, and that it would be in the best interests of the horse industry if some steps were taken by the Government to prevent some of the poorer sorts of stallions being used for breeding purposes. LINCOLN. One pure-bred Hackney and three unregistered sires are all the stal- lions of Grantham township. Twenty-five dollars is the highest and ten dollars the lowest fee. Mares are of fair average quality, but not good in type, and weigh 1,150 Ibs. The Inspectors urge the introduction of one or two good sires into this township and also some good mares. The quality of the horses in Niagara township has improved consid- ably during the past few years, but is still far from satisfactory. There are a very few imported mares here, but the general average can only be stated as fair, and weight 1,150 Ibs. There are nine stallions kept for ser- vice, including 4 Clydesdales, pure-bred, a registered Standard-bred three grades of that breeding and a Carriage grade. Stud fees are fairly good— $10 to $15. The quality of the sires averages fair. Two grade Standard-breds and a Thoroughbred make up the sires in Louth township. This is a fruit section, and in consequence medium-sized horses are required for working in; the orchards and under trees, hence, the mares are under-sized and poor, there being very few good mares found here. Only one grade Carriage horse was inspected in Clinton township, and its fee is $12. Mares in this township also are a poor lot. The same remarks apply to the mares in Grimsby township for the service of which there are a German Coach, a Standard-bred and a French Coach horse, a grade. All are sound and fair in conformation. Service fees are $12 to $15. Mares are poor in type and quality in Gainsboro township, and there is room for improvement both as regards them and the stallions. At pre- 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 45 Lincoln — Continued. sent there are four of the latter, a Peicheron. a Standard-bred, a Road- ster grade and a Carriage horse. The lowest fee is $5 and highest $15. Inspectors' Remarks: "In going over Lincoln county we did not see very many heavy horses, and, as this is a great fruit district, a number of medium sized horses are used by those engaged in the business, for working among the fruit trees. We think, that, perhaps, as many horses are be- ing bred as can be raised with profit in a section like this." STALLIONS. &> i 02 o> • (Z3 3 ^ 3 ' f Breeding. QJ tx'g V fee §T5 fg fcS'S o> | ,0 • **) r* cS c -- C- ^ S > cC ^* 1 3 £ IS £ o II C ~ £8-1 3 O U2 I i fe <4 •< GO Grantham 146 Rather light 1 150 Fair 10 Niagara 410 Rather light 1,150 Fair . . q Louth 42 Undersized 1 100 Poor . . . 9 Gainsboro 354 Small and poor. . 1 100 Rather p'r g Clinton 58 Poor and light . . . 1 150 Poor 9 Grimsby 241 Poor and light 1 150 Poor . 9 Total 1,251 46 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Lincoln — Concluded. MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions. Total. Serviceably sound. Not serviceably sound. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. Number of stallions. Number of inares bred to. *- a5 « o> j> **— • •a] Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. i" o ® «£ <"" . Registered Stallions. . 3rrade Stallions Totals 11 13 756 495 10 13 716 495 , $ 15 11 1. 40 $ 12 24 1,251 23 1,211 ] 40 There were a fair number present at the meeting, held at St. Cathar- ines, November 17th. The majority of the speakers seemed to think that something ought to be done to try to improve the present condition of the horse industry, and a motion was carried in favor of an act being passed by the Government, giving the stallion owner a lien on the mare, and also on the colt until the service fee was paid. They also passed a motion in' favor of an Inspection Act, and the majority appeared to be in favor of not allowing any^ stallion to stand for public service that was not registered in the recognized stud book of the breed to which it belonged, one speaker stating that all horses should be put out of business which would not reg- ister, pass a proper inspection and have a license. Another speaker thought that that would be a difficult measure to put into effect in a country like this, where most men like to be their own judges. Some thought that mares should be inspected as well as stallions. SPECIAL REPORT OF INSPECTORS. In submitting our report, we beg leave to say that we tried to keep our own counsel on all occasions, and to gather what information we could from the owners of stallions, and others who were interested in the horse busi- ness, without influencing them in any way by expressing our own opinions. ID most sQctions, quite a large interest was taken in the investigation by most of the stallion owners, the large majority expressing themselves very freely as being in favor of the inspection and licensing of all stal- lions allowed to stand for service. We were rather surprised on some occasions to find men who were in favor of this system, whose stallions would be among the first to fall, giv- ing us the impression that they had not given the subject that serious con- sideration, that in our opinion it requires. At most of 'the public meetings held we found those present quite ready to express their views; but with very few exceptions the opinions offered did not appear to your Inspectors to have received that due consid- eration and forethought that an important matter of this kind demands. In some sections we found those who were very much opposed to Iftspec- iion and also licensing, claiming that while the class of aires that is being 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING. IN ONTARIO. 47 Report Inspectors' District 2. — -Concluded. used is not what it should be, it would be much better for the Department of Agriculture to conduct an educational campaign by the distribution of literature on horse breeding throughout the Province, through the short course in judgirg at tiie Ontario Agricultural College, the Agricultural Societies and Spring Stallion Shows; and at Farmers' Institute meetings to have up-to-date and successful horse breeders as lecturers. We found in some sections several stallions owned by syndicates, and on inquiring as to the success of said system learned in most cases that it had not proved to be very satisfactory; in many cases it was claimed that the stallions had been put in at very much more than their actual value; and in some cases it was claimed that the horses were not breeders, and should not have been sold for that purpose. While the system on the whole appears to have given very poor satisfaction, and should not be en- couraged, we think it could be adopted with advantage in some sections, if three or four good farmers would join together, have a meeting, and decide just what kind of a stallion they should have in that section; then seleci two good judges to purchase said stallion at a right price; get Ahe proper guarantee and then several first-class stallio'ns might be used where there are nose at present. We found far too many inferior sires being used throughout the dis- trict. Unfortunately many farmers look at first cost only and use these sires. We also found a large number of inferior and unsound mares which in our opinion should never be used for breeding purposes. And in con- sequence it is important that more educational work be taken up along this line, in order to impress breeders with the idea of using a better class of females as well as sires. In many sections we found a large number of breeders had no fixed type, some with very good heavy mares with two or three Clydesdale or Shire crosses in them, using a Percheron or some breed of light stallion, which can only have one result, and that is to injure the horse breeding in- dustry of the Province. We trust that the information received from this investigation may be of value to the Department in the effort to further the horse breeding in- dustry, one of the most important branches of live stock development m the Province at the present time, and while at nearly every public meet- ing the majority appeared to be in favor of inspection and licensing, as already stated, we are of the opinion that the time is not yet ripe for such legislation. We feel that the Department might by some well directed means en- deavor to educate the people, so that iu the near future they may be able to see the advisability of an Inspection Act at least, and probably a license act also, and trust that the labors of the Department may accomplish the desired end. (Signed) JOHN GARDITOUSE, WM. CAIN. DISTRICT NO. 3. Countie-s. — Huron, Bruce and Grey. Inspectors. — H. G. Reed, V.S., Georgetown, and Tno. Bright, Myrtle. HURON. The township of Stephen in Huron county is a great centre for the heavy horse industry. In the list of sires are three imported Clydesdales, and two grades of that breeding, four imported Shires, a Percheron, an imported Hackney, two Standard-breds, and a Thoroughbred. With on^ exception there is no unsoundness, but some are up in years. The aver- age cor formation is fair, and the percentage of foals is pretty good. Fees run as low as |8 in two cases for unregistered stock, but the general run is from $10 to $15. The draught mares in this township are of a fairl) good quality, although only a small percentage of them are registered, but the average mare would be likely to pioduce good draught horses when mated with good draught sires. The number of mares in the township is 1,360, about three-fourths being draught, and the balance general purpose and light. The township of Hay is one in which the Inspectors found more Shires than Clydesdales, the proportion of the former to the latter being as six to four sires. The other sires are two Percheron and four Standred-bred. All are imported, and only one case of unsound-ness was found. The gen- eral average, too, is good, and service fees vary from $10 to $20. As re- gards mares they number 1,585, about three-fourths being heavy draught the rest general purpose and light. Their average weights are draught, 1,400 Ibs. ; general purpose, 1,200 Ibs. ; and light, 1,000 Ibs., about 5 per cent, of the draughts are registered, and the balance are good draught brood mares. Only a small percentage of the light mares are really good, their average type being poor. Tuckersmith township runs to Clydesdales, there having been no Shires brought in lately. Two pure-bred Clydesdales and one grade, and one Standard-bred and two grades constitute the sires for service, and two of these are reported as unsound. 'The average quality and conformation is only fa:r. Service fees are $10 to $20, the latter fo:* a Standard-bred. There are about 200 heavy draught mares in the towrship averaging 1,500 Ibs.; 195 agricultural, about 1,300 Ibs., and 265 of light type, all of fair quality. Clydesdales also predominate in McKillop township, where there are six imported Clydesdale stallions, one Shire imported, and two Standard- breds. Here, again, there is one case of unsoundness, but the average con- formation is fairly good. Service fees have the usual range of $10 to $15. Out of the 640 mares 200 are heavy, 300 of the agricultural class and 140 light, the average weights being 1,500, 1,300 and 1,000 respectively. There seems to be a larger percentage of light mares in Grey township than 4n those previously considered, and here the sires stand three Clydes- dales, a Shire, all registered, and three Standard-breds, which include a grade. The averaore conformation is fair, and two are rated as unsound. Eight to fifteen dollars is the range of fees. Heavy mares number 150, [48] 1906 REPORT ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 49 Huron — Continued. averaging 1,500 Ibs. ; 'agricultural are most numerous with 300, and light total 260. In Turnbury and Morris townships the Inspectors found a large percentage of good heavy draught stallion1', consisting of six imported Clydesdales and a grade, two imported Shires, and two Percherons, while the lighter breeds were lepresented by a Hackney and four Standard-breds, one being a grade. There is some unsoundness among both heavy and light sires, aid while there are some excellent horses, including a sweep- stakes winner at Toronto in 1906, the average rating is only fairly good. No service fees fall below $10, and the highest is $25 for a Standard-bred. Mares of agricultural type are most numerous, 400 in all; then come heavy mares, 395, and light, 270.. The average weight are the same "is given above. Six imported Clydesdales, "an imported Shire, and four Standard-breds, one a grade, make up the total of the stallions in the east part of Hullett township, and it is satisfactory to know that all are sound. Average con- formation is fair, and the percentage of foals is satis Ectory. Three of the sires are new arrivals, but for ihe others the fees are $10 to $15. In Hul- lett, as in the last two townships under review, the agricultural type leads among the mares, with the draught and light maies next respectively. In the west part of Hullett township heavy sires are most numerous, there being five pure-bred Clydesdales, a Shire, and three Standard-breds. In this section draught mares total 210; agricultural, 300, ard those of light type, 205. Contrary to the other townships passed in review, the township of Goderich leans more to the lighter breeds, as is seen by the fact that the light mares outnumb r the draught and agricultural type, takers individ- ually, and also by there being six Standard-bred sires and a Hackney To one Clydesdale and a Percheron. One sire is reported unsound and aver- age quality and conformation is only fair. One grade out of the three standing for service has as low a fee as $7. The highest fee is $25. In Colborne and Ashfield town ships the Inspectors state that they found a good average lot of mares numbering, draught, 505; agricultural, 700, and light, 75, and averaging in weight as high as in the other town- ships ; but there was a smaller percentage of really good draught stallions here than in the other parts of Huron county. There are three Clydesdales imported, one Canadian-bred, 3 grades of that breeding, four imported Shires and a grade, two Percherons, a Suffolk Punch, and a Standard-bred. There is a percentage of unsoundness, and conformation averages scarcely fair. The maximum service fee is $13 and minimum $8. Inspectors' Remarks : "In Huron county we find the Clvdesdale the popular draught horse, there being al?o a fair percentage of Shires and a few Peroherons, one Belgian and a Suffolk Punch. The draught type of mares greatly predominates. Only a small percentage are registered, but the balan CP are a good average lot ; there are very few really pood light mares in this county. "Our investigations have led us to conclude that very few really good mares are bred to any but Clydesdale or Shire sires. "With regard to a Stallion Inspection Act, we find that the views of horsemen generally are that it does not go far enough. They are very much 4 H.B. 50 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Huron — Continued. oppo ed to anlowing grade or unsound stallions to be used at all. A very strong feeling prevails against the cheap, mongrel, cross-bred and grade stallions, because they interfere so much with the business of the high- clas< and highsr priced horses. We find breeders in general very much oppo ed to syndicating stallions; very many poor animals are sold by this means. STALLIONS. Breeding. . Number. 111 &> | > Serviceably Sound. Average conforma- tion. ||| 5 C au |1 Clydesdales, Imported 35 1,900 T 32. .. . Fairly good. 3,011 $ 13 Clydesdales, Canadian-bred 5 1 730 6 3 Fair 425 10 Grades, Clvdesdale. 7 1,600 5 6. . Fair 431 11 Shires, Imported and Grades, (21 Imported Shires, 1 Grade) 99 1 665 5 18 Fair 2,340 11 Percherons 9 1,880 6 8 Fairly good. 840 12 Hackneys, Suffolk Punch and Grades (2 Hackneys; 1 Suffolk Punch 1 Grade Hacknev) 4 1 390 3 All ... Fair 234 13 Standard-breds Imported IP 1 110 12 17 Fair 1,504 13 Ri >adsters, Canadian-bred 5 1,140 9 All .... Fair.. 280 10 Grades, Roadster . . .... .... 7 1 035 8 6 Fairlv good. 363 10 Thorouahbreds Canadian-bred 1 1 200 18 Fair 30 8 Totals 114 9,458 MARES. Townships. JS' umber of mares bred to stallions inspected in Township. *Type. Average weight. Pounds. Average quality. Average age. 5 j* ll 0) M a General Purpose. Agricultural. <«j % 3 Stephen 1,359 1,585 663 639 714 1,089 1,382 745 ' 1,282 935 1,190 200 200 150 395 520 163 505 120 170 305 225 265 140 200 270 865 395 75 1,200 .1,200 1,250 1,250 1,250 1,250 1,250 1,250 1,250 Fair... Fair. . . Fair... Fair... Fair... Fair.. . Fair. . . Fair... Fair... 8 8 8 8 8 8 . 8 8 8 Hay Tuckfirsiuith 195 300 300 400 600 200 700 McKillop (^jrgy Turnberrv and Morris . . . Hullett " Colborne and Ashtield. . . Total 9,458 * The figures under this heading are only for the purpose of showing approximately tile proportion of each class of mares in each to\vnship. The first column of the table gives the number of mares bred. 4a H.B 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 51 Huron — Concluded. MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions. Total. Serviceably sound. Not serviceably sound. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. OJ ac £o3 33 <£ ^ Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. Average fee. Registered Stallions.. Grade Stallions Totals 98 16 8,604 854 86 14 7,492 619 $ 12 9 12 2 1,112 235 $ 11 11 114 9,458 100 8,111 14 1,347 The public meeting for the county of Huron was held at Clinton on October 18th. Owing to the inclemency of the weather the meeting was not so largely attended as would otherwise have been the case. However, each riding ni the county was represented. After about two hours' dis- cussion on the horse question, the meeting came to the unanimous decision that some steps should be taken to pievent a grade or unsound stallion standing for service. Those present also resolved that "In the opinion of this meeting a License Act would be preferable to an Inspection Act." BRUCE. The townships of Kinloss and Culross in Bruce County have a number of heavy sires, there being no less than 11 imported Clydesdales, 2 Canadian - bred ones, a Belgian and a French Draught, while the only representatives of the light breeds are 2 Standard-breds. There is not a single grade horse standing for service. With three exceptions they are all sound and one of these is not now usad in the stud. The Inspectors state that the Clydesdale were the best average lot they saw in their investigations. The mi'nimum fee is? $11 and maximum $16. The mares are mostly agricultural in type number- ing 1,000 of this class, 730 of the draught class and 153 light. They are of fair average quality. In the township of Carrick the inspectors found only two draught horses, a Clydesdale and a Belgian, the rest being Standard-breds, one of them a grade, and two of the sires are unsound. Eight to sixteen dollars is the range of service fees. As a matter of fact over 20 stallions, from Huron County principally, covered a part of this township, and a number of the mares credited to that county should really be included in Carrick' s and Brant's list. The number of mares as given to Carrick and Brant townships L< draught 166, agricultural 200, and light 187. The mares of draught type are as numerous in these townships as in any of the other townships of Bruce. Brant township has two imported Clydedales and a grade, all sound and standing for fees as follows: grade $8, pure-breds $15. While Eastnor a'nd Lindsay townships have a fair percentage of heavy sires, three Clydesdales, a Shire and a Percheron, two of these of Clydesdale 52 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Bruce — Continued. and Shire breeding are grades, and there is also a French Canadian grade and a Standard-bred grade. All are sourd except one, but the average quality and conformation is only fair, and services are given for as low a price as $5 with a general run of $9 to $15. Mares are not numerous, and are chiefly of the agricultural type and in quality poor. No draught stallions were seen in Amabel township, sires being Stand- ard-breds and grades, one-half being unsound. Fees range from $8 to flO. The rating is not high. There are some draught mares in Amabel township and heavy stallions come in from Grey county, and consequently will be credited to townships in Grey where these stallions came from, the Inspec- tors being largely dependent for their information on the stallion owners themselves. In Saugeen and Arran townships the Clydesdale is the predominant breed, there being five imported Clydesdales, five Canadian-bred, one grade, an imported Hackney, and two registered Standard-breds. There are four cases of unsoundness, all among the heavy ones and the average merit of these is only fair. Eight to seventeen dollrrs is the range of the fees. As in several of the other townships the agricultural type of mare is in the majority, but there are a good many draught and some light mares. One Clydesdale, a Hackney, a Standard-bied and two grades of that breeding constitute the list of sires in Bruce township. Here, again, was found unsoundness in the proportion of two-fifths. Conformation is good in three-fifths and very bad in the remainder. Service fees are quoted as $7, $10 and $15. Mares average about 1,250 in weight. Kincardine township contains no less tEan nineteen stallions, the majority being of the heavy type. Among them are five pure-bred Clydes- dales, four grades of that breeding, five Percherons and five Standard- breds, of which three are grades. The grades, as usual are the cause of service fees being put as low as $5 and $8, but the owners of pure-bred sires get from $10 to $14. The average quality and conformation is only fair. Agricultural mares again lead in number with 600, draught come next with 433, followed closely by light mares 410. The average weight is 1,250. The four stallions inspected in Huron township were two Clydesdales, an imported and a Canadian-bred one, respectively, an imported Shire and a Percheron. One-half are reported as sound. Service fees charged are $8, $10 and $12. Out of the 430 mares in this township, 300 belong to the agri- cultural and 130 to the draught type. In Gre^nock township ihere are five pure-bred Clydesdale stallions, 3 imported and 2 Canadian-bred, an imported Shire, a Standard-bred, and 2 grades of French Canadian and German Coach blood respectively. The lowest service fee is $9 and the highest $15. No less than three out of the nine are not sound, and their standard of excellence is but fair. Mares average about the same weight as in the adjoining townships, viz, — 1,250 Ibs., and in point of numbers they stand agricultural 500; draught 255, and light 160. Their average quality is fair. Inspectors' Remarks : "-We find in Bruce county (and especially i'n the Centre Riding) a larger percentage of Percheron stallions than any other district that we have visited on this commissidn. These horses are in a 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 53 Bruce — Continued. number of cases "syndicated" at high prices, above what we consider their value as regards merit." STALLIONS. Breeding. Number. »%% P>1 '§!£ <| o> o rs a> a> > 00 •4 Clydesdales, Imported 27 1,850 9 21 Fair 3 013 $ 13 Clydesdale?, Canadian-bred 14 1,775 7 10.. . Fair. . 1,066 10 Grades, Clvdesdale 7 1,575 8 6. Only fair 284 8 Shires, Imported and Grades (2 Shires ; 1 Grade Shire) 3 1,975 6 1 Only fair . 320 10 Percherons 7 1,840 6 6 Fair 595 11 Belgians • 2 1,850 7 1 Poor 192 12 Hackneys, Imported and Canadian- bred (1 Imported; 1 Canadian- bred) 2 1,250 6 All Good 170 13 Standard-breds, Imported 9 1,165 11 7 Only fair 568 10 Roadsters, Canadian-bred 2 950 3 All Fair 35 10 Grades, Roadster 11 1,100 7 8 Fair 742 9 French Draught and Grades of Ger- man Coach and French-Canadian (1 French Draught; 1 Grade German Coach ; 2 French-Can- adian Grades) 4 1,525 6 All Fair 385 11 Totals 88 7 370 MARKS. Townships. Number of mares bred to stal- lions inspected in township. *Type. Average weight. Pounds. -1-5 f Q Agricultural. bC £3 General Purpose. Kinloss and Culross Carrick and Brant 1,839 563 348 185 1,226 395 1,471 430 913 730 166 85 1,000 200 200 153 187 60 100 265 245 410 1,275 1,250 1,210 1,125 1,250 1,125 1,250 1,400 1,250 Eastnor and Lindsay .... Amabel 85 Saugeen and Arran 356 50 433 130 255 600 70 600 300 500 Bruce Kincardine Huron • Greenock 160 Total 7,370 •< Fair. Fair. Poor. Poor. Fair. Fair. Fair. Fair. Fair. *The figures under this heading are only for the purpose of showing approximately the pro- portion of each class of mares in each township. The first column of the table gives the number of mares bred. REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Bruce — Concluded. MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Total. Serviceably Sound. Not Serviceably Sound. *s TJ 0) ,g! . i a5 Stallions. I 0,0 *° S ,2 A O ou o^ 1 11 S3 g •° - |l J- QQ O) ® I II |1 1 * BS & to | a£ S^s H *— c s las s sl S on US' ! fc fe !^ ^ •< ! » S5 •< Registered stallions. . 66 5,971 50 4,563 $ 13 16 1,408 i 10 Grade stallions 22 1,399 18 1,162 . 10 4 237 8 Totals 88 7,370 68 5,725 20 1,645 The public meeting for the county of Bruce was held at Paisley on Friday, November 2nd. One hundred horsemen were present, representing all parts of the county, some having driven over 30 miles to be present. After a lengthy discussion of the horse breeding industry in general it was unanimously resolved : "That this meeting strongly approves of some drastic legislation in favor of horse breeding, and is in favor of the compul- sory inspection and licensing of all stallions standing for service; require- ments for license to be freedom from hereditary unsoundness, and registra- tion in a recognized record of the Dominion of Canada afrd a reasonably good formation." Coupled with the above, the meeting also voted in favor of a Lien Act, giving the stallion owner a lien on the mare and foal until the insurance was paid. GREY. Sires of the heavy breeds have a monopoly in Bentinck and Nornianby townships in the county of Grey. In Bentinck there are just two stallions an imported Clydesdale and a Percheron, both, sound, and of fair merit. Fees are |13 and $12, respectively. Normanby has three- more than Bent- inck to its credit, viz., four Clydesdales (of which one is a grade), and a Percheron. There is one case of unsoundne-ss, and the standard is fair. For the grade $9 is the fee charged, but two pure-breds have even lower fees |7 and |8, while the others stand at f 12 and $13. Mares are mostly of the agricultural type, with some 135 of light, and 100 of heavy draught class. Only three stallions are located in Glenelg township, an imported Clydesdale, a Percheron and a grade Roadster. Two out of the three are sound and conformation is fair. Eight, ten and eleven dollars are the fees charged. Of the 204 mares, 130 are agricultural in type, 50 draught and 24 light, with an average, weight of 1,250 Ibs. and of fair .quality. In Egremont, as in the other townships of the south riding of Grey, the Inspectors found a smaller .percentage of draught mares than in the other districts through which they travelled. In this township the agricultural tj-pe is strong; with 700 in number, the draught type comes next with 420, followed by the light with 320. The average weight of the whole is 1,250. and thej are fair in quality. The percentage, on the other hand, of heavy draught stallions is very large as compared with the light breeds, being 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. Grey— Continued . fourteen to four, viz., — eleven pure-bred Clydesdales, one grade Clydesdale, a grade Shire and a Percheron. Light breeds are represented by one import- ed Hackney and three grade Standard-breds. Three are unsound, and 110 high ratings as to conformation are given. Fees charged are all the way from $8 to $13. With the exception of one Standard-bred, Clydesdales have a monopoly ot Sullivan township. Two out of the seven stallions found here are grades and six nre sound. The average conformation is fairlj good. Thirteen dollars is the maximum fee charged and $7 the minimum. Out of the 430 mares here only 10 are described as of light type, 80 of the draught type, and 340 agricultural. The proportions of the mares in Derbj township are very similar to those in Sullivan, viz., — draught 50, agricultural 200 and light 25. Three pure-bred Clydesdale stallions, all sound and of fair conformation operate in this township, one of them putting in the first season. No fee is less ihan $10 and $15 is the highest charged. There are a few more light mares in Keppel township, so we find two Standard-bred stallions (one a grade), to one Clydesdale. All are rated sound an;l of fair ccnformation, and earn fees of from $10 to $12. Draught mares are not numerous, only 40 being located, while light kinds number 60 and agricultural 160. The number and average weight of mares in Sydenham township runs as follows: 100 draugnt, 1,500 Ibs. ; 600 agricultural, 1,300 Ibs. ; and 270 light mares, 1,000 Ibs. The Inspectors explain the large percentage of 1'ght mares in this tcwnship by the fact that in Owen Sound th.?re are a large number of light stallions. As a matter of fact there are twelve light sires made up as follows : five registered Standard-breds and two grades of that breeding; two pure-bred Thoroughbreds, a pure-bred Hackney, and a grade, and a grade French Canadian. The heavy breeds are represented by three imported Clydesdales. Conformation is fair in all cases, but there1 is unsoumhiess in four of these animals. A Standard-bred grade is at the bottom of the list as regards fees, viz., $6, while a Thoroughbred heads it with $15. In St. Yincent township, on the other hand, the heavy sires are the rule, almost to the exclusion of light stallions, there being only a solitary Stand- ard-bred to five Clydesdales (one a grade), and three Percherons of which one is also a grade. Out of nine sires two are reported as not sound. For the two grades the service fees are $8 each, for the pure-breds from $10 to $15. Draught mares are given as 100, agricultural as 420 and light as 100. in this township. In average weight, quality, and age they are on a par with those in adjoining townships. Heavy sires are also in the majority in Holland township where breed- ing interests are looked after by three Clydesdales, a Belgian, a Thorough- bred grade and a grade of Standard-bred stock. Nearly one-half are rated as wanting in soundness, and the average conformation is only fair. Ser- vice fees are about the same as elsewhere in this county, $8 for grade and $10 to $15, for the others. The agricultural type of mares predominates to the number of 350, light mares being next in number with 150 and draught with 120. The proportion of light to heavy sires in Eu-phraeia townshio is as four to five consisting of two imported and 'one grade Hackney, a Standard-bred and three imported and one grade Clydesdale. No cases. of unsoundness were reported here, but conformation is only fair. Service fees are the same as 56 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Grey — Continued . given for the previous township. Agricultural mares 500 in number; light 200, and draught 130, make up the total mares reported. In Collingwood township light sires are not much in evidence, as is shown by the fact that there is only one grade Standard-bred to represent their interests, while there are five pure-bred Clydesdales. There are 200 agricultural and 100 draught mares ke\pt iu the township. The stallions have fair average conformation and all are sound, und they stand for $9 in one case and $10 in the rest. Proton township is again a great district for the heavy breeds, of which there are the following representatives : ten Clydesdales, and a Shire, while other bu-eds are Thoroughbreds two, Standard- briids one and Fronuh Cana- dian one. All are pure-bred and all sound except one, and conformation is fair on the average. Stud fees are from $8 to $10. The mares found here are of about the usual fair quality and weight, the agricultural type lead- ing in number with 500, draught come next with 250 and light last with 200. Artemesia township contains a representation of several breeds varying from Clydesdale, Shire, Belgian, Hackney, French Coach, and Standard- bred, to a Shetland pony sire. While there are some good sires here there is still room for improvement, both as to conformation and soundness, no less tliun iwo- sevenths being reported as not qualifying for soundness. We find a pure-bred Clydesdale standing for $6, a grade for $8 and the balance for fees varying from $10 to $25, the latter for a Hackney. As regards purity of blood, the standing is eleven registered and three grades. Mares number 1,182, being composed of 600 of agricultural type, 382 of draught, and 200 of light mares. RTALLIOXS. Breeding. Number. Average weight. Pounds. 0> 3 < Serviceably sound. Average con- formation . Number of mares served. Average service fee. Clydesdales, Imported 33 1,850 7 28.. Fair 3 532 $ 11 Clydesdales, Canadian-bred 23 1,630 6 20 Fair 1,341 9 Grades, Clydesdale 7 1,470 4 All.... Fair 445 8 Shires, Imported 3 1,975 7 Fair 310 9 Percherons 5 1,820 5 All.. Onlv fair . . 405 11 Percherons, Canadian-bred 1 1,600 5 All Goo'd 85 12 Grades, Percheron and Shire (1 Percheron, 2 Shires) 3 1,550 15 Poor 187 8 Hackneys, Imported 5 1,310 9 All.. Fair 500 12 Grades, Hackney 2 1,250 6 All .... Fair 110 9 Standard-breds Imported 7 1 080 13 6 Fair 570 12 Roadsters Canadian-bred 3 1,100 11 2 Fairlv good 130 11 Grades, Roadster 11 1,130 8 10. ... Fair " 510 <) Thoroughbreds, Canadian-bred.. . . 4 1,050 7 3 Fair . . . 45 12 Grades, Thoroughbred 1 1,300 7 All.... Good 100 12 Frencn Coach, French Canadian, and Grades, ( 1 French Coach, 1 French Canadian, 1 Grade) 3 1,330 6 AIL... Fair 350 9 Belgians and Grades (2 Pure-breds 1 Grade) 3 1,875 6 1... Onlv fair. . 225 10 Shetland Ponv 1 350 4 All.... Fair 12 10 Totals 115 8,857 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 57 Grey — Continued. MARES. -r QC1 $ c is* *Type. £ £ Townships. Numbei of n bred to sta inspected i township. -tJ § ll hH Agricultural. •»£ f> hH Average wei£ Pounds. cS o1 QJ £ g 4 CD 9) >— ' << •s $' j| S£ 5 p a? ^ *+* 02 02 tiX)'^ ?! •«! Clydesdales, Imported 42 1,860 7 All.. Good 3,689 $ 14 Clvdesdales, Canadian-bred 7 1,590 6 All.... Good 355 10 Grades Clvdesdale 5 1,650 9 4. r Good 426 11 Shires Imported 2 1,900 5 All.... Fairly good 227 14 Grades, Shire 2 1,700 13 1 Fairly good 188 9 Per<5herons • 4 1,750 4 All.... Fairlv good 295 14 Belgians 3 1,930 4 All .... Fair." 185 15 Hackneys and Grades (6 Hackneys, 1 grade) 7 1,235 7, All.. Good 574 12 Standard-breds, Imported 8 1,060 8 All.... Fairly good 434 17 Roadsters Canadian-bred • 2 1,150 9 All.... Good 193 11 Grades, Roadster 7 1,010 6 5 Fair 108 10 Thoroughbreds Imported 3 1,050 6 All.... Fairly good 148 11 German Coach Horses and Grades (1 German Coach, 2 Grades) 3 1,200 17 All.... Fairly good 85 10 Totals 95 6,907 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 61 Perth — Concluded . MARES. Townships . Number of mares bred to stallions inspected in township . Type. Average weight. Pounds. £ "5 a a1 o> 1 o> . 1 o> •5 Downie 475 923 650 738 559 474 262 403 1,203 1,220 Clydesdale 1,400 Good . . 7 7 11 8 8 10 7 10 6 6 8 10 7 10 8 10 Blanchard Clydesdale , 1,400 Good.... 1,100 Fair Hibbert Roadster , Clydesdale . . . 1,400 1,400 1,100 1,400 1,100 1,500 1,500 1,400 1,100 1,400 1,100 1,400 1,100 Fair Fullerton Clydesdale . . . . ... Fair Logan Roadster Not good. Fair Clydesdale. ... South Easthope Roadster Fair Clydesdale Good ... Good .... Fair North Easthope . Clydesdale Ellice . . Clydesdale .... Mornington Light .' Not good. Fair Clydesdale Elma Light Fair Clydesdale . . Fair Total Light . Fair 6,907 MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions. Total. Serviceably sound. Not serviceably sound. Number of stallions . Number of mares bred to. Number of stallions . Number of mares bred to. o> o> ><*•< <} Registered Stallions. . Grade Stallions Totals 78 17 6,125 782 78 13 6,125 641 $ 13 10 1 4 141 11 95 6,907 91 6,766 4 141 The public meeting held at Mitchell on October 16th was well attended and discussed fully the question of an Inspection Act, and a motion favoring the same was carried unanimously at the meeting. Many of the stallion owners suggested that if stallions were u'nder license a'nd stallion owners had one-third of the insurance fee down at the time of service, it would put a stop to the breeding of a lot of mares that are not likely to get in foal. WATERLOO. The town of Berlin was first visited. Here, and in the adjoining ter- ritory there were found two pure-bred Hackneys, two Clydesdales (one of them a grade), two Percherons, and a Coach grade. With two exceptions the standard is not high and one horse is not sound. None of the horses stand at less than $10, while the highest price is $15. There are 460 mares here, mostly general purpose and light, the gereral average weight of which is 1,100 Ibs., and quality only fair. 62 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Waterloo — Continued. In Woolwich township only a Clydesdale and Standard-bred, both good in conformation and sound, stand for service at $ 13 and $12 respec- tively. They both score well and are apparently successful sires. Of the 26T mares, part are of Clydesdale blood and part of Roadster, averaging in weight respectively 1,300 and 1,100 Ibs. Quality is fair and their aver- age age is 9 years. Wellesley township is better off as regards numbers of stallions in its borders, some of which, of course, take in other districts not so well served locally. There are six Clydesdales (one a grade), a Thoroughbred grade, two Standard-bred grades, and a Coach grade in this township. Six of these are stated to be good individuals, both as regards conformation and action. Service fees range from $10 to $15. The type of mare found is general purpose, weighing about 1,200 Ibs., but quality is inferior. Waterloo township is another well furnished with sires, ten Tho- roughbreds being found in one stable. It is also favored with some Stan- dard-bred sires of the best quality, thirteen of which, together with some good Clydesdales and Hackneys were inspected in one stable, and it is worthy of note that out of 103 animals examined there, not one was found unsound. Besides these there are in the township a pure-bred Shire, four Clydesdales (one a grade), and a Standard-bred grade. Not all are sound, but their conformation is generally fairly good. As low as $5 and from $10 to $15 are the usual service fees. In some cases, however, they are from $25 to $50. The general run of the mares in this township are of the gen- eral purpose class. The sires represented in Wilmot township are two Clydesdales, three Percherons, a Hackney, and three Standard-breds. Two of the sires could not be seen as they were away from home when the Inspectors paid their visit. Average conformation is fair, and there is some unsoundness. Stud fees vary from f 8-to $20. The mares, as in most of the townships in Water- loo, are of general purpose class and are not very good in quality. A pure-bred and grade Clydesdale, both sound, were the only stallions seen in North Dumfries township, and the stud fee is $10 in each case. There are a few good registered Clydesdale mares owned in this township, which are dependent on outside stallions for service. Most of the mares are of the general purpose type and daficient in quality. STALLIONS. Breeding. Number. o^l be be c s- *£ f g££ •< Average age. • Serviceably sound. Average con- formation. Number of mares served. <» . X & oj«2 cS 0) •- u £> •< Clydesdales and Shires, Imported 7 7 Clvdeedales 1 Shire) 8 1,800 6 7 Fairly good 845 $ 13 Clvdesdales Canadian—bred 7 1,740 6 6 Fairlvgoocl 473 11 Grades Clvdesdale 4 1,400 4 All .... Fair 155 8 Percherons 5 1,700 7 4 Fair 290 14 Hacknevs Imported 3 1,300 7 2 Fairly good 323 13 Standard-breds Imported 16 1,050 6 All .... Good 220 13 Roadsters, Canadian - bred and Grades (1 Roadster, 3 Roadster Grades 2 Coach Grades) 6 1,150 6 All .... Onlv fair . . 313 11 Thoroughbreds and Grades (10 Pure- bred 1 grade) • 11 1,040 8 All .... Fairlv good 205 14 Totals 60 2,824 11)00 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 63 Waterloo — Concluded . Townships. ~ — "- "7" •;!!!! 25 Type. be g o 41 1 0) 1 9 To-.vn of Berlin . . . Woolwich ....4. 460 267 General Purpose 1,200 1,000 1,300 1,100 1,200 1,200 1,050 1,200 1,200 Not good. . Fair 8 7 9 9 8 8 8 8 8 Light Clydesdale Fair Welleslev .... 964 Roadster ... Fair General Purpose Not good . . Not good . . Good Not good. . Not good. . Waterloo 613 General Purpose Wilmot 422 Standard -bred General Purpose North Dun i fries. . . 98 General Purpose ... Total • 2,824 MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions. Total. Serviceably sound. j Not serviceably sound. . Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. OJ It !« ^t Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. 0) be £ 6 0) O> ^ **"* •< Registered Stallions.. Grade Stallions Totals 50 10 2,356 468 46 10 2,016 468 $ 13 9 4 340 $ 14 - 60 2,824 56 2,484 4 340 . rlh:- public meeting for Waterloo county was held at Berlin on Octo- ber 22nd, but was not very largely attended. Tlie majority of those pre- sent were in favor of an Inspection Act. WELLINGTON. In the township of Guelph are four good Clydesdales, one of which is -Canadian-bred, a-nd there is a Thoroughbred sire for the light mares. No instance of unsoundness is stated, and the general conformation is good. 'The service fees run at about $.10. There are many mares of Clydesdale breeding, more or less, and a few light ones averaging about 1,100 Ibs. Quality is only fair. Considering that there are a number of good Clydesdale stallions for service in Puslinch township the mares of heavy type in this township 64 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Wellington — Continued. are rot as good as they might be, and one reason given is that farmers have sold their best mares. Of the 683 . mares none are above medium in quality or fair in type. Of the fifteen stallions standing for service, eight are imported Clydesdales, two imported Hackneys, one a Thoroughbred, and four are Roadster grades. There is only one unsound, and some are considerably above the average stallion. Fees in general, run from $10 to |15, with ore quoted at $25. Of the stallions in Eramosa township, with few exceptions the In- spectors do not speak very highly, most of them being deficient in type and not likely to improve the class of horses found there, the mares, too, being of no special type. The sires include an imported Hackney, two Clydesdales (one a grade), two Thoroughbreds, and five Standard-breds, of which three are grades. $8, f 10, $12 and $13 are some of the fees charged. Seven stallions were inspected in Pilkington township belonging to the following breeds : Pure-bred Clydesdales, four ; Star dard-brted, Coach and Percheron, one each, and one Roadster grade, the latter standing at an $8 fee, the others from $10 to $15. All but one are sound, and the general average of conformation is fair, one Clydesdale being highly spoken of. The mares here are of fair average quality, those of Clydesdale breeding averaging 1,400 Ibs., and light mares about 1,100. Nichol township contains three pure-bred Clydesdale stallions, a grade Shire, and a grade Standard-bred, all qualifying as to soundness, but under the average as regards general conformation. One of the Clydesdales has only recently been brought in, and had rot done any service at the time of the inspection. Ten dollars and twenty dollars are charged as fees, the latter for a heavy sire. The average of the heavy mares kept is rather higher than in other parts of the county, being 1,500 Ibs., and averaging well as to quality. While all the stallions in West Garafraxa township are pure-bred, there is some unsoundness among them, to the extent of two-sevenths. Clydesdales make up three, Standard-breds three, and there is one Per- cheron. There are no stud fees lower than $12, and the highest is $20. As this proportion of heavy sires would show, there are a number of fairly heavy mares in 1he township; also a good percentage of light ones, the re- spective weight averages being 1,400 to 1,100 Ibs. Of the stallions in 'East Garafraxa, the Inspectors state that their standard is not as good as it might be, and mares also are below the aver- age of those in other sections of the county. It was the opinion of farm- ers met with here that something should be done to weed out inferior sires. The list of sires is made up of four imported and one Canadian-bred Clydes- dales, and two grade Standard-breds. No less than three stallions are standing for as small a fee as $8, for the rest the fees are $10, $12 and UD soundness is again in evidence here. In Erin township the general purpose 'mare is the rule, with an aver- age weight of 1,200 Ibs. The quality is poor. They total 736. The light breeds predominate among the stallions. There are three imported Clydes- dales and one grade, a cross-bred Shire and Clydesdale, four pure-bred Standard-breds and a grade, and two imported Hackneys. There are two 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 65 Wellington — Continued. cases of unsoundness, but the general average of the conformation is fairly good. Stud fees have a wide range from $6 to $20, with most of them from $10 to $12. Mares in Luther township average 1,400 Ibs. in weight for the heavy ones and 1,100 for the light. Their avera-ge quality is only fair however. The larger number of heavy mares is reflected in the proportion of heavy sires which are four Clydesdales to three Standard-breds, two of the latter being grades. All are sound and pretty fairly good in conformation and quality. The minimum stud fee is $7, the maximum $15. Clydesdales again head the list in Arthur township, where six pure- breds of that breed and one grade, a grade Shire, a Thoroughbred, a Stan- dard-bred, and two Roadsters make up the dozen stallions standing for service at varying fees from $6 to $15. No less than one-fourth are re- ported as not sound, but the average conformation is fairly good. The heavy mares found here are principally of Clydesdale blood, and average 1,400 Ibs., light ones being 1,100 Ibs. There are no less than a baker's dozen of Clydesdales among the twenty stallions inspected in Minto township. The sires representing other breeds being Thoroughbreds, two; Hackneys, one; Coach grade, one; and Stan- dard-breds, three, of which one is a grade. Four of the Clydesdales also are grades. Competition must be very keen here, for we find service fees quoted as $3 in one case and $5 in two others, but the better horses make $10 to $15. With one exception all are sound, but quality and conforma- tion are only fair. The benefits of so many heavy sires is shown in the in- crease in the average weight of the heavy mares which is 1,500 Ibs., and their quality is good. There are seven Clydesdale stallions in Maryborough township, one be- ing a grade; three pure-bred Percherons, an imported Hackney, a Tho- roughbred, and a Roadster grade, and while there are a few good sires among them, the general average is not high. From $8 to $15 is earned in stud fees. Heavy mares only average 1,300 Ibs. ; light ones being about the same as usual, with average quality fair. For the 618 mares in Wallace township .there are four Clydesdales, a Belgian and a Standard-bred all registered and only one not sound. Con- formation is only fair. F/ees range from $10 to $16. The heavy mares of Clydesdale blood are of good average quality and fair weight. Peel township, the last of the townships in Wellington to be visited, has a total of eleven stallions, made up as follows : Four Standard-breds, (two of them registered and two grades), three pure-bred Clydesdales, n im- ported Hackney, a Thoroughbred, and a Coach Horse. Nearly all are sound or serviceably so, and they have very fair average conformation and action. Some pure-bred sires stand at $8, while the average is $10 to $15. The average quality of both the heavy and light mares found here is des- cribed as not good, and the average weights are 1,300 and 1,100 respec- tively. In this township it was suggested that it would be an advantage if something could be done to secure the insurance of stallions at a lower rate than that now charged by companies engaged in this class of insur- ance). 5 H B REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Wellington — Continued . STALLIONS. Breeding. Number. ^ °° 1^1 glfi •4 e 60 m 8, 2 V •< Serviceably sound. Average conforma- tion. Number of mares served. « «£ £.* ft £$ •4 Clydesdales, imported '. 47 1,735 7 44 Fairly good 4 066 $ 12 Clvdesdales, Canadian-bred 1r> 1,590 4 14 Fairly good 897 10 Grades, Clydesdale 8 1,450 5 7 Fair 508 7 Grades, Shire 3 1,665 8 1 Poor 220 9 Percherons ft 1,835 6 All Fair 505 14 Hackneys, imported 8 1,240 7 All... Good 716 14 Standard-breds, imported 11 1,085 8 10 Fair 605 12 Roadsters, Canadian-bred 5 1,200 10 4 Good . . . 394 15 Grades, Roadster ?0 1,020 8 16. Fail- 579 9 Thoroughbreds ft 1,060 11 4. Fair 305 10 Thoroughbreds, Canadian-bred .... 3 1,000 5 2 Only fair 40 10 German Coach horses, Belgians and grades of Coach (2 German Coach, 1 Belgian, 1 grade) 4 1,465 8 2 Only fair 189 10 Totals 186 8 954 MARES. Township. Number of mares bred to stallions inspected in township. Type. +j § OJ * & 2 ^ ^"* Registered stallions. . Grade stallions 104 32 7,632 1,322 94 25 7,112 997 $ 12 9 10 7 520 325 12 7 Totals 136 8,954 119 8,109 17 845 The meeting at Fergus for the county of Wellington was held on November 7th, when there was a very good attendance. The question of an Inspection Act was discussed by the meeting, and a motion favoring the same was carried by a two-thirds vote. The passing of a Lien Act was also discussed, and a motion in favor of it when put to the meeting was passed by a small majority. • DUFFERIN. Melancthon township has the largest number of stallions to its credit, totalling seven Clydesdales, including two 'grades, two imported Hackneys, a grade Roadster, and a grade Coach horse. None of those seen were. other than sound, but conformation does not average better than fair. The low service fee is again in evidence, such as |6 and $8, while the highest is f 11. Not much can be said about the average quality of the mares, whether heavy or light, which average 1,300 and 1,100 Ibs., respectively. Mares in Mulmur township are mostly of the general purpose sort, are' not very good in quality and average about 1,200 HM. There are seven stal- lions standing for service in this section,, consisting of a Canadian-bred Clydesdale and a grade, an imported Shire, a French Canadian grade, a Hackney grade, a Standard-bred grade and a Coach grade. Six-sevenths are sound, and conformation in general is fairly good, but low stud fees are the rule, the limit being $8 and $10. Mono township has 450 mares, mostly of the general purpose type, and averaging in quality about the same as in Mulmur, and also in weight. Of the six sires in this township there atfe four imported horses, viz., one each of the Shire and Hackney breeds and two Clydesdales. There is also a pure- bred Coach horse and a grade Standard-bred and all are rated as sound and fair in average conformation, while service fees are from $10 to $15. There are no more than four stallions in Amaranth township, all sound and fairly good in conformation and standing for fees running from $10 to $15 and in one instance-, a Standard-bred, for $25. The list comprises an imported Clydesdale, two Standard-breds and a Percheron. As in the sister townships mares are general purpose in type and not good in quality. 68 No. 65 Dufferin — Continued . STALLIONS. • & >> § •M J Breeding. 1 ||1 « i I-d §1 | O «. (E T3 a; a> « X2 >- > ® Q> O £)0>p4 o3 ^ a s >-i O> O 1 '> 0 S3 s ill > «.*. 599 fl H OQ ^S £ ^ << 08 -« fc -< $ Clydesdales, Imported 6 1,880 7 All Fair . 660 12 Clydesdales, Canadian-bred 3 1,530 4 All .. Fair. 235 10 Grades, Clydesdale 3 1,450 5 All .. Fair . . 118 7 Shires and Percherons (2 Shires, 1 Percheron ) 3 1,925 5 All Fairly good 260 10 Hackneys, Imported and grades (3 pure-breds, 1 grade) 4 1,250 5 All Fair 320 9 Standard -breds, Imported 1 1,100 7 All Good 78 25 Roadsters, Canadian-bred 1 1,100 3 All Good 21 15 Grades, Roadster 3 1,110 9 All Fair 135 9 Coach Horses, grades of same and of French (1 Coach Horse, 3 grades) 4 1,350 11 3 Fair 215 11 Totals 28 2,042 MARES. Townships. Melancthon . Mulmur . . Mono Amaranth Total S|| |l.fl Zi 830 493 450 269 2,042 Type. 5 ^ M ^__i 1 o5 O cr M | s> 2 2 E 0> at 9 ^ •5 t> Clydesdale . 1,300 Not good 6 Liffht 1,100 Poor .... 10 General Purpose 1,200 Not good g General Purp<~>sf» - 1 200 Not good 8 General Pur pose 1,200 Not good 8 MARKS BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions. Total. Serviceably sound . Not Serviceably sound. Number of stallions. Number of marcs bred to. Number of stallions . Number of mares bred to. £ &> i> ^ N Number of stallions . Number of mares bred to. B |j 83 «2 .<;' Registered Stallions. . Grade Stallions 18 10 1,604 438 18 9 1,604 403 $ 13 8 $ 1 35 10 Totals 28 2,042 27 2,007 1 35 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 69 Dufferin — Concluded . The public meeting for the county of Dufferin at Shelburne, on Nov- ember 12th, was well attended, about 40 being present, mostly farmers who did not own stallions. The question of an Inspection Act was discussed by them for some time before a vote was taken. The result was that only two voted against an Inspection Act, the rest voting in favor of it. SPECIAL REPORT OF INSPECTORS. We the undersigned committee appointed by the Ontario Department of Agriculture for the purpose of investigating the horse industry in the district known as No. 4, composed ,of the counties of Perth, Waterloo, Wel- lington, and Dufferin, beg to report as follows : "That we have inspected 306 stallion's, Clydesdales ;130, Standard-breds 40, Hackney 20, Thorough- breds 22, Percherons 17, Shires 5, Belgians 4, Coach horses 4, and grades 64. Of the pure-bred stallions we found 15 unsound horses. We found the stal- lions of Clydesdale blood a good lot, the mares as a rule not nearly so good, owing to what the breeders say throughout the district, that until just recently the farmers have, as a rule, sold quite a number of their best mares, and in this way have lowered the standard of the heavy mares in the district. We find, however, that this policy has been to a great extent discontinued. We also find among the heavy class of horses in this district that the Per- (cheron stallions, the Belgian stallions, and the Shire stallions are not near- ly as good a lot as the Clydesdales ; in fact, they were, with onei or two excep- tions, poor representatives of the respective breeds. The Percheron and Belgian horses in this district have only been intro- duced recently. With few exceptions these horses have been brought in and sold to from six to fifteen individuals, in most cases farmers, under a system known as syndicating, and in every instance at prices away above their value. We found the universal opinion of those we came in contact with opposed to this system. The reason assigned was that it invariably places a poor horse in a community at a very high price, and further that it intro- duces a breed of horses in a section quite frequently that has a tendency to impair rather than improve present conditions. For instance, in this dis- trict the heavy class of mares are almost without exception Clydesdale-bred mares of from one to three crosses, and no greater mistake could be made than to breed such mares to either Percheron or Belgian stallions. The light horses in this district are not so numerous and with few ex- ceptions are not of nearly so high a standard. The Hackneys, as a rule, are a very good lot of the right kind. We also find some excellent Standard-breds. but the greater part of them are very inferior individuals. The grades are far too numerous, and, in most cases are of a very poor class, which would scarcely make good-looking workers. Your committee are of the opinion, from what they learned and observ- ed in passing through the district, that the heavy horse can be raised most profitable in this district. From the information we received we are con- vinced that there is no other plan of ownership of stallions that is giving as much satisfaction as private ownership. We find that the views of horsemen generally favor a stallion Inspection Act with license attached that would permit of only pure-bred horses with registered pedigrees, free from all hereditary unsoundness and of reasonable 70 REPORT ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. No. 65 Report Inspectors' District 4. — Concluded. merit standing for service. We also found that the farmers we came in con- tact with view this with favor, and we are of the opinion that this would be the most effective way of materially improving the class of horses in this district. We arrive at that conclusion for different reasons. In the first place it ,would weed out largely the undesirable sires which in this district amount of twenty-five per cent, of the whole. In the! second .place it would to a considerable extent- prevent the breeding of these poorest mares that have been bred to these very poor stallions. We also believe that it would prevent to a large extent the importation of horses of an inferior class of an> breed into this country. It would also put a stop to a system which has been pursued, and is still in practice in this country, that of selling and taking back and reselling) again stallions that are known to be unsuccessful sires. But while we are convinced that an Inspection Act with license attached would without doubt very materially improve all classes of horses in this district, we are of the opinion that legislation along that line should Jae deferred until the people have had ample time to be better informed on the subject, and with that object in view we would suggest that the Department of Agri- culture should by some well directed course endeavor to enlighten the peo- ple thoroughly on this question by disseminating information bearing on the subject, and by holding a series of meetings especially called for that purpose, and that an Inspection Act be passed making it compulsory for all stallions to be inspected, and that all stallions inspected be graded according to merit and breeding, with provisions attached that all stallion owners be compelled to give publicity to the1 certificates given. This conclusion is arrived at taking for granted that the conditions and feelings of the people are the same in other districts of this Province as in the districts visited by ourselves. (Signed) PETER CHRISTIE. WM. JONES JOHN A. BOAG. DISTRICT NO. 5. Counties. — Peel, Simcoe, York and Ontario. Inspectors. — Thos. McMillan, Seaforth; and Wm. Mossip, St. Mary's. PEEL. While some of the townships in Peel county have a good proportion of heavy stallions, Brampton is a town that has long been known as a centre for carriage and saddle horses, especially the former, Hackney sires having been used here for some years, and also Thoroughbreds. The list includes four Hackneys, a Thoroughbred, a Clydesdale, and a Percheron. Some of the stallions are rather up in years, but all are .sound, and the average confor- mation is certainly good. In one case the service fee is $12, while the fee for the other is f 15. There are quite a number of pure-bred 'Clydesdales in this neighborhood, and their average quality and that of the light mares is very good. No breeding of old, unsound mares is reported. The farmers in Chinguacousy township are taking an interest in horse breeding, but a good many light mares are being bred to heavy stallions in the neighborhood -of Mono Road. The general type of the heavier mares is of the agricultural or general purpose class, ranging from 1,250 to 1,350 Ibs. in weight. No less than eight pure-bred and two grade Clydesdale stallions stand for service here, one of the grades being a cross with a Shire. Besides these there are a Thoroughbred and three Roadsters, pure-bred and grades. The majority are sound and good in conformation. Stud fees are low, no less than five standing for fees of $8 each ; for the rest the fees are $10 to $15. Toronto township is well provided with sires, there being no less than eighteen here, among which are five Clydesdales (one a grade), two Shires, a Percheron, two Thoroughbreds (one a grade), a Cleveland Bay grade, a Hackney and the balance Standard-breds and Roadsters. There was some unsoundness, but on the whole the conformation was good. The range of stud fees was from $10 to $20. The Inspectors report that most of the stal- lions are not given sufficient exercise There are a good many imported Clydesdale mares in this township but no Shire mares. There are also some good carriage mares. The general average weight of mares is 1,350 Ibs. In Toronto Gore there were just two stallions inspected, a Canadian- bred Clydesdale and a Hackney grade, by a Hackney sire out of a Standard- bred mare. Both are sound and the. fees are $8 and $10. Mares here aver- age 1,500 Ibs., and are good in quality and the heavy mares go!od in type. There is very little or no breeding of old mares. The stallions in Albion township are not as a rule of very good type or conformation. The service fees average $10. The breeds represented are two Standard-breds, two grade and one pure-bred Clydesdale, and a French Canadian. Three of these horses do not travel, but stand for service at home. The mares found 'here are a good class, good in type and quality, and aver- agfel!, 400 libs. Bolton township has seven imported Percherons. These horses are all a very good class, and' if bred to suitable mares would do good service. It is, doubtful, however, the Inspectors report, if crossing them on mares with Clydesdale blood would be advisable. Besides the Percherons, there are an imported Hackney, an imported and a Canadian-bred Clydesdale, and also [71] 72 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Peel — Continued . a Canadian-bred Shire. All are sound and of good conformation; the aver- age service fe^ is about $11. There are a number of mares of fair quality, and good type in this township scaling- about 1,350 Ibs. There are seven stallions in Caledon township, made up as follows : an imported Hackney that was syndicated for $2,400, three Cljdesdales, a Clydesdale-Shire cross, a grade Belgian, and a grade French Canadian. While mostly sound their average conformation is not high. They stand at fees varying from $8 to $15. Mares are only fair and their average weight is not over 1,300 Ibs. STALLIONS. Breeding. Number. ^j- oo UP! >- 0> 0 g> * a -< Average age. Serviceably sound Average conforma- tion. Number of mares served. o> .8 V II •» tu << Clydesdale?, Imported 1?, 1,745 (;.] 10.. Fairly good . . . 868 $ 11 Clydesdales, Canadian-bred 8 1,585 6 7...... Fairly good . . . 517 9 Grades, Clvdesdale 6 1,430 ft All.... Fairly good . . . 188 8 Shires 3 1,465 2 All Fairlv good . . . 71 10 Percherons 9 1,670 4 All.... Good" 72 13 Hackneys, Imported 7 1,280 10 All .... Good 485 15 Grades, Hackney and Belgian (1 Hackney, 1 Belgian) a 1,250 5 All.. Good 16 9 Standard-bred s, Imported 4 1,085 8 All.... Good 147 15 Roadsters, Canadian-bred 2 1,125 7 1 Fairly good. . . 224 10 Grades, Roadster 6 1,080 8 All .... Fairly good . .'. 170 9 Thoroughbreds 8 1,170 6 All.... Good 20 18 Grades, Thoroughbred and Cleve- land Bay (1 of each) 2 1,185 12 All.. Good 110 11 Grades French Canadian ? 1 275 15 All Fair 70 Totals 65 2,958 MARES. Townships. Number bred to stallions inspected in township . Type. -4-T I V *rf a'S 2§ 58, •< v& §W S «* II •< Average age. Brampton Town 574 Good. Quite a number of pure- bred Clydesdales 1,400 Very good 6 Chinguacousv 545 General Purpose and Agricultural, and some light 1,300 Good . 7 Toronto 613 Fair 1,350 Fair . . 7 Toronto Gore 16 Clydesdales ; light 1,500 ' Good . 6 364 Good 1,400 Good. 8 Bolton 220 Good Fair . . 8 Caledon 626 Fair 1,300 Fair . . 8' Total 2,958 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 73 Peel — Concluded. MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions. Total. Serviceably sound. Not serviceably sound. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. B 8P . 2 v ££ Number of stallions. to a 8P . C v £.8 Registered Stallions . Grade Stallions Totals 48 17 2,404 554 44 17 2,073 554 12 9 4 331 $ 10 65 2,958 61 2,627 21 4 331 At the meeting held at Brampton for the county of Peel, the speaker* were generally in favor of an Inspection Act for stallions, and one speaker went further and thought that it should include an inspection of the pro- geny, and, if these proved inferior, to cancel the sire's license. Much better results were obtained from the importation from Great Britain than from those from the United States, as regards the light classes. Another gentle- man found that little confidence could be placed on the pedigrees of the light horses as furnished by owners. Nothing beneficial would follow inspection of the dams. If any system could be1 devised whereby stallions could be. restricted to a certain number of mares it sho_uld be done. It was also thought by another speaker that the breeding of heavy horses was the most profitable for the farmer. He would encourage the crossing of Clydesdales and Shires. Another gentleman considered the breeding of speedy horses in Peel an ignominious failure, on the testimony of a light horse' breeder. Another gentleman also spoke very strongly against syndicating, of which he had had bitter experience, some one always being given a good sum of money to put the deal through. SIMCOE. In Essa township honors are divided, there being three each of Clydes- dales and Standard-breds, and only one grade, belonging to the latter. Two- thirds of them are sound, and the general average conformation is good. The fees charged run from $10 to $15. Mares average from 1,200 to 1,300 Ibs., and the average kept is 1£ by each breeder. Tecumseth township has three pure-bred Clydesdales, four grades of more or less Clydesdale breeding, a Percheron, a German Coach horse, and a Roadster grade. With one or two notable exceptions they are not of a very high order, although several qualify as regards conformation, but not all as to soundness. A minimum of $5 and a maximum of $15 is the range of the stud fees. The mares in this township are rather inclined to the light tyfpe, the heaviest averaging about 1,300 Ibs. and the light about 1,175. They are of a fairly good type. The general opinion of the farmers seem- ed to be that syndicating stallions was a great mistake, for by this means the stallion costs nearly double what it should, and as in most cases there is no one whose special business it is to look after the stallion, in most cases it is 74 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Simcoe — Continued. not properly taken care of. Those spoken to thought that it would be a good thing to inspect stallions and also thought that they were not given enough exercise at this season of the year (October). Clydesdales lead in point of numbers in Gwillimbury, with .six pure- breds and two grades; Percherons, Roadsters, and Shires have1 one each to their credit. Two, at least, of the stallions are too old for service. There is not much unsoundness, but average conformation is only medium. $6, $8, $13, and $15 are fees charged. Mares are only medium heavy and fair in quality. Ad jala township has. a Canadian-bred Clydesdale not registered and a grade Roadster, the latter well up in years. No unsoundness is mentioned and conformation is good. $10 is the fee in both cases. Mares average about the same as in the previous township, viz., 1,300 Ibs. Only one stallion, a Thoroughbred, was inspected in Innisfil township. Service fee is $10. In Allis,ton town and surrounding district, quite a few old mares are being bred that are not fit for this purpose. Mares are of fair tjpe, weigh- ing 1,300 Ibs. About one-half of the foals here die shortly after birth,' and there is a good deal of "navel ayid joint ailment." "Something should be done to prevent horses without a pedigree from travelling for service," say those who were interviewed. There are two pure-bred Clydesdales and one Standard-bred in this township, all getting up in years, fairly good in con- formation, but vnot all .sound. $10 and $12 are the fees in this section. Tossorontio township runs exclusively to Clydesdales of which two are imported, one Canadian-bred, and two grades. The stud fees are $5, $8, $10, and $13. In consequence of the absence of light sires, many small mares are being bred to heavy horses, making a rather violent cross. Mares average in weight 1,100 to 1,200 Ibs. In the township of Nottawasaga, which includes the town of Colling- wood, and village of Creemore, there are a large number of sires, including many Standard-breds and a Hackney, besides a good complement of Clydes- dales and two Percherons. Of Clydesdales there are eight pure-bred and one unregistered, and of Standard-breds seven. The greater number are sound and there are some good ones among them, the average conformation being good. Starting with $8 for a grade, the fees run up to $15. In this section the Inspectors saw more mares weighing 1,300 to 1,400 Ibs., than in the districts previously visited. In Stayner town and neighborhood Clydesdales again lead with four stallions, Standard-breds having two, and there is also a grade Hackney.- Two of the horses are quite aged but all are sound and all fairly good as regards conformation. There is a unanimity as to fees, all charging $10. The town of Barrie is a fairly good horse breeding centre, sires of light breeds being most in evidence. There are five Standard-breds and a Hack- ney grade to five Clydesdales (one a grade). Two of the Clydesdales and one of the Standard-breds are new arrivals. There is more or less unsound- ness in evidence. Stud fees range from $9 to $15. Mares average about as in other townships of this county, viz.. 1,300 Ibs. There are seven Clydesdales (of which two are grades), a pure-bred Shire, an imported Hackney and a Roadster grade in Flos township. The average conformation of the lot is good, but there .are two cases of unsound- ness. Stud fees reach $16 and are as low as $8. There are some good mares in this township including some excellent Clydesdale imported ones, but the general average is not above 1,300 lljs. 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 75 Simcoe — Continued. With one exception all the stallions in Tiny township are sound and of fairly good conformation. With reference to two grades, however, their value as sires is not great. There are two Clydesdale grades and one Road- ster grade, whilst the pure-breds are repesented by two Standard-breds and & French Canadian, the latter standing for a fee of $12, while the others have fees up to $10 and as low as $7. Mares are poor in quality and of poor type, and a good many old used up mares are being bred. Two stallion owners gave their views on licensing stallions. One was strongly against inspection as he stated that he could raise- better grades than pure-breds'. The other was in favor of inspection, as that would give the owners of good pure-bred stallions a chance to earn something on their investment. In Tay township one stallion was not seen on account of its owner being away. Of the six inspected, there are one imported Clydesdale, two grade Clydesdales, two cross-bred Clydesdales and Shires, and1 a French Canadian grade. The average standard is not as good as it might be although all those inspected were sound. The maximum fee is $10 and the minimum $5. Mares are in quality poor to fair, with an average weight of 1,200 to 1,250 Ibs. Too many old mares are being bred, while any good ones are being sold to too great an extent. One breeder in this township, while in favor of government inspection and licensing stallions, thinks that this should be done gradually, as it would be a mistake to cut off unregistered sires immediately, the effect being to create a great dearth of sires from which to breed. He also thought the present custom of syndicating stallions should be discouraged. A man who sells a horse in this way generally gets three or four times as much as the horse was worth. He did not think that owners of good horses should be put to the additional expense of a license. In Vespra township only two stallions were inspected, a pure-bred Clydesdale and a grade of mixed breeding. No unsoundness is reported, and while not of .a high average, their conformation is fair. Fees are $12 and $8 respectively. The Inspectors add that the cutting off of poor stallions in a district like this should not be done, hastily, as farmers here will not pay a fair fee for a good horse. The result would be to leave a section like this without any sires. Mares are 'poor in quality and type not averaging above 1,100 Ibs., and too many culls are being bred. The four sires in Medonte township are all more or less up in years, and have been good in their day and are all etill sound. They consist of a pure- bred and a grade Clydesdale, an imported Shire, and a pure-bred Standard- bred. Three of the horses stand for a fee of $8, and the fourth for $12. As in the previously inspected townships of Simcoe county a good many old mares are bred, and the good ones sold. The quality on the average is poor, and maree are of no particular type. Their average weight is 1,200 Ibs. In Orillia township there are two pure-bred imported Clydesdales, four pure-bred Standard-breds, an imported Hackney and a Percheron, all sound as far as seen, one owner having refused to allow his horse to be inspected. In general, conformation was good. Two of the stallions were syndicated at high figures. Ten and twelve dollars are paid for stud fees. Here again the report mentions that many old mares are being bred, and as the average quality is poor even of the younger mares the results of breeding old, broken- down mares must be disastrous. Horse owners here agree that some steps should be taken to do away with scrub sires. The Township of Oro is a good breeding centre ; among the stallions were some of the best horses inspected. There is, however, some unsoundness. and, while some are extra good, others are only fair, and some unfit for use. 76 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Simcoe — Continued . There are four pure-bred Qlydesdales and a grade, a cross-bred Clydesdale and Shire, a Percheron and a grade, and a Hackney. A grade stands for a $9 fee, but the stud fees for the others range from $12 to $15. There are some good Cljdesdale mares here, and the average quality and type among all mares is good. The average weight is 1,300 Ibs. There is not much mentality among foals. STALLIONS. Breeding. Number. -u" 03 01 rJ'O £§§ *•« o> S ££& <1 Average age. Serviceably sound. Average con- formation. Number of mares served. Average ser- vice fee. Clydesdales, Imported ?S 1 660 7 30 Verv fairly Clydesdales, Canadian-bred 16 1,390 5 All good Good 3,084 841 $12 11 Grades, Clydesdale fll 1 430 5 20 Fairly good 1,036 8 Shires, Imported 3 1,680 11 2 Fair 341 11 Percherons and Grades (6 pure- bred, 1 grade) 7 1,780 4 6 Fail- 418 12 Hackneys, Imported 4 1 220 6 All Good 335 12 Grades, Hacknev 2 1,200 5* All. . . Fair 137 10 Standard-breds, Imported 14 1,165 10 12 . Fairly good 939 11 Roadsters, Canadian-bred 10 1,100 g All . Fairly good 467 10 Grades, Roadster 6 1,190 11 5 Good 153 9 German Coach, Thoroughbred, French-Canadian and Grades (1 of each) ... 4 1,430 9 All. Fair . . 342 11 Totals 1?0 8,093 MARKS. Townships. Number of mares bred to stallions inspected in township. Type. +£ M y '3 IM M C II -4 Average quality. Essa 420 General Purpose to Medium draught I 200 to 1,300 Tecumseth 619 Fairly good 1,175 to 1,300 Fair. \y Gwillimbury 434 Fair 1,300 Fair. Adjala 60 Fair 1,300 Fair. Innisfil 25 Fair Fair. Alliston Town 279 Fair 1,300 Fair. Tossorontio 190 Fair 1,100 to 1,200 Fair. Nottawassaga and Colling- wood Town 1,652 Fair 1,200 to 1,300 Fair. Stayner Town 608 Fair 1,300 Fair. Barrie Town 419 Fair 1,300 Fair. Flos 835 A few good Clydesdales, the rest fair 1,300 Fair. Tiny 249 Poor 1 1,150 Poor. Tav 607 Poor 1,200 to 1,250 Poor to fair. Vespra Fair 1,100 Poor. Medonte 405 Only Medium 1,200 Rather poor Orillia 511 Only fair 1,150 to 1,200 Poor. Oro 780 Good 1,300 Good. Total.. 8.093 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 77 Simco e — Concl uded . MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIOXS. Stallions. Total. Serviceably sound. Not serviceably sound. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. B Bo 2o5 ® £> •5"" Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. B L o> o> < Registered Stallions. . Grade Stallions 89 31 6,615 1,478 81 29 5,991 1,413 $ 15 9 8 2 624 65 $ 11 9 Totals 120 8,093 110 7,404 10 689 The public meeting for the county of Simcoe was held at Barrie, on October 26th. Some of the speakers took the ground that syndicating horses should be encouraged, providing it is properly done and a good care- taker employed. Some of the views expressed by those present are as fol- lows : Syndicating is a benefit if properly done otherwise it is an injury. Offspring should also be inspected, and future licensing based upon that. It is a question whether the people would stand the licensing and the conse- quent cutting off of poor sires. In syndicating, a syndicate should be form- fcd first and then the animal afterwards purchased. If animals do not pass inspection they should not be allowed to stand for service at all. A small fe,e should be paid for license. It would be a great hardship to bring a license act into force if there was not enough serviceable animals on hand to do the work of service. Do not bring such an act into force at once. The heavy horse is the more profitable to breed but we have use for all classes of horses. The Government should do nothing to curtail the personal liberty of the individual. No horse should be licensed unless registered in some recog- nized Stud book. Unlicensed animals should not be allowed to stand for service. To make it illegal to allow the owners of scrub sires to charge a service fee would not be effective. Something should be done by the Gov- ernment in preventing poor sires which are registered from entering the country. An inspection and license act should extend to imported stock at the time of landing. In the syndicating or selling of stallions the law should stipulate that notes taken in the sale of stallions should have written across the face of them "Stallion sale notes not negotiable." This would protect the> purchaser in case the animal does not come up to any guarantee which may be given. If the notes do not bear this mark they should become void, and the salesman liable to a fine or penalty. At the conclusion of the meeting a vote of the audience numbering twenty-six was taken as to the advisability of the Government passing a Stallion Inspection and License Act and the voice of the meeting was unan- imous in supporting such a measure. It was also; considered that it would be a benefit to encourage Agricultural Societies to choose a good sire for the season, grant the owner a premium and restrict the horse to the service of a certain number of mares. 78 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 YOBK. L The township of King, and Newmarket have a fairly long list of sixteen stallions to their credit, consisting of twelve Clydesdales, imported and Canadian-bred; two grade French Canadians, and a Standard-bred, and a Standard-bred grade. These are all of good serviceable age and mostly serviceably sound. Their average conformation is fairly good, and most of them serve successfully a good number of mares at fees from $7 to $13. There are not very many good mares in this section ; their weight runs from about 1,100 to 1,250 Ibs. In the Gwillimbury townships there- are a number of good sires, includ- ing five lately imported. One horse is pretty well up in years, but has been n good stud horse, and holds his age well. There is no unsoundness among any of them. As regards breeds, there are ten registered OJydesdales, a horse of mixed Clydesdale and Shire breeding, a Shire, a Hackney, a Per- cheron, a French grade and a Roadster grade. Five of the stallions are not rated high and the service fees are as low as $7 and from that amount up to '$15. Some of the stallions are not kept in very good shape. There are a few good imported Clydesdale females which should be of benefit to the country, but the farmers as a rule have sold all their best females and kept the poorer ones for work and breeding. The average weight of the mares is not above 1,200 Ibs. In Sutton township a good many foals died of joint disease and rheum- atism last season, due a good deal to lack of car© on the part of the owners. There are eleven stallions in this district, and some of them certainly should not be' used for breeding purposes. The majority 'are of the light type, Standard-breds and grades of this breeding; in addition there are three Clydesdales. Some idea of the class of sire may be gleaned from the fact that in one case the stud fee is $3, in another |5, and $7, $8, and $10. Mares average in weight 1,250 Ibs., and are only fair in quality. In Markham township both heavy and light stallions are almost without exception good individuals. There are thirteen Clydesdales, all pure-bred, two good Hackneys, a Percheron, and two very good Roadsters out of four (one a grade). Three of the stallions are getting up in years, but with one exception and one not seen, all are sound, and average well in conformation and fair in action. 'Stud fees are in the majority of cases from $12 to $15. but one Hackney stands for only $8. There are some good Hackney mares here, and the average quality of all the mares is above the general average. Too many old ones, however, are being bred. The average weight is 1,400 Ibs. The three sires in Scarboro township are an imported Clydesdale, an excellent Hackney, and a Standard-bred, the latter not being seen. Both the Clydesdale and the Hackney are doing good service. The fees are $15 and $20 respectively. Mares are of a fair type and their average quality is good. In Whitchurch township, one importer has the field all to himself and two young imported Clydesdale stallions were inspected. The latter had just arrived when the inspection was made. The average quality of farm mares is good in this township, and they are of a good type, and are bred at a suitable age. The stallion list in the township of York, is considerably augumented from time to time by the importation of Clydesdales, Shires, Hackneys, and Percherons. In all, there are six Thoroughbred stallions, twenty-two 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 79 York — Continued. Clydesdales, five Shires, three Percherons, eight Hackneys and a Standard- bred. Where so many horses are imported for sale and newly arrived, they do not, as a rule, stand for service, and consequently no stud fees are available. For those in service fees run from $10 to $20. The mares in this township are mostly of pretty good type and quality, averaging about 1,400 Ibs. Vausrhan township has a fairly good lot of sires, which include four Canadian-bred Clydesdales and a grade of that breeding, two Percherons (one syndicated at a high figure), and a grade each of Roadster and 'Car- riage breeding. All are eligible as regards soundness and their conforma- tion is pretty good on the average. While some of 'the grades stand at $8, the better horses make from $10 to $14. The mares here average the same as in York, and are much the same in type and quality which is good. There is no breeding of old mares, as a rule. Etobicoke township, the last in York county to be visited, has just four sires within its limits, three of them Clydesdales, and one a grade Roadster. With one exception all are sound and fairly good as to con- formation. Ten to thirteen dollars are the fees charged. Mares are good, and average well in type, with a weight of some 1,400 Ibs. There are many young .ones among them. In commenting on the stallions in this county the Inspectors remark on a defect found largely among Canadian-bred stal- lions of having rather small straight hoofs. STALLIONS. Breeding. Number. .4.T oj a> >> 0! •< Clydesdales, Imported 50 1,745 5 48 Good 2 551 $ 12 Clydesdales, Canadian-bred 20 1,600 5 19 Fairly good 1 162 10 Grades, Clydesdale 2 1,550 4| All.... Fairly good 176 g Shires, (5 Imported; 1 Canadian- bred) 6 1,645 5 5 Fair 215 12 Percherons 7 1,745 5 6 Fair 273 13 Hackneys, Imported 12 1,040 4 All.. Good 410 13 Standard-breds, Imported 5 1,090 12 All Fairly good 374 11 Roadsters, Canadian-bred 5 1,080 7 All.... Good 178 11 Grades, Roadster 8 1,160 9 All. Fair 270 10 Thoroughbreds fr 10 All Fairly good Grades. Coach and French-Cana- dian (1 Coach ; 3 French Cana- dians) 4 1,400 8 3 Fairly good 458 10 Unenumerated 9 Totals , 134 6 067 80 No. 65 York — Concluded . MARES. m ^ ^j- »/ OS .2 JS J5 5 ^— — tut "H? •*-<•« FT-J rv « a Townships. ° 0*3 Type. <£ | 2 o> «1 ^Registered Stallions. Grade Stallions Ill 14 9 5,163 904 106 13 4,793 788 $ 11 9 5 1 370 116 $ 10 12 Unenumerated Totals 134 6,067 119 5,581 6 486 . The meeting for the County of York was held at Richmond Hill, November 5th. There were ahout thirty present, and it was not such a representative meeting of those interested in horse breeding as some previously held. It was urged by some speakers that the Government should do something to protect owners of good horses. Others took the ground that that would be a hard thing to get at, as the breeding of good horses depended on the class of mares in the county as well as on the stallions. One gentleman sug- gested that the Government might do something towards improving the standard of the mares by giving assistance to those bringing in good mares into the country. Regarding the inspection and licensing of stallions, he thought that nothing hasty should be done, as importers were doing their best in bringing in good sires, but he thought that an act should be .passed to prevent grade sires being used. All present agreed that the Government should take steps to prevent grade sires travelling and standing for service. 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 81 ONTABIO. Uxbridge is a township where light sires are in majority. There are five Standard-breds and a French Canadian, to one Percheron and three Clydesdales. All are pure-bred as far as seen, and mostly sound, with good average conformation. There are no stud fees lower than $10, while the highest is |15 in three instances. Mares are good in type and fair in quality, averaging 1,250 to 1,300 Ibs. in weight. No old mares are bred, and there is very little foal mortality in this section. In Scott township there was only one sire inspected, a Thoroughbred, of fair type and sound, standing at $12. Mares in this township are much the same as in Uxbridge, but with an average of only one to each breeder. Reach is a large township, and has a fair proportion of stallions, con- sisting of nine 'Clydesdales, a cross-bred Clydesdale and Shire, a Thorough- bred, and two Standard-breds (one of the latter a grade). All but one were serviceably sound, and they are in general a pretty good lot. Ten to thirteen dollars are charged for fees, but there is one grade standing for $6. The Thoroughbred is an old Queen's Plate winner, now well up in years. The average number of mares kept by farmers is 1£, and they are good in quality and of nice type, with an average weight of 1,300 Ibs. Brock township inclines mostly to heavy sires, there being six Clydes- dales to two Standard-breds. In some cases the horses are not as well looked after as they should be, and three of them are getting on in years. They are nearly all (as far as inspected) serviceably sound, and of quite good average conformation. None are grades, but some of the service fees are quite as low as if they had been, viz., $8 and $9. The majority, however, run from $10 to $15. In Thorah township, four Clydesdales, one Shire, and one Hackney were inspected. The minimum fee is $12, and the maximum $17. In this township there is an improvement in the average weight of mares, and also in their type and quality. Some horsemen here were of the opinion that little could be done to improve the standard of horses by licensing sires. Four stallions, all Clydesdales have their routes in Mara township, one of these is a very old horse. The other three are sound and of good con- formation, with fees of from $10 to $14. The average weight of the mares is 1,400 Ibs., and they are of good average quality. Farmers here are well posted as to the injury that would be done by allowing scrub stallions to serve mares. With the exception of one registered Standard-bred and two nondes- cripts, all the stallions inspected in East and West Whitby townships were Clyde -dales, and they number 25, the list being largely made up of the horses in the stables of breeders and importers. The stallions throughout this township are almost without exception sound, and of a class to im- prove the standard of heavy horses in the Province. Eliminating the horses which stpnd for §8 each, the horses travelling in this district have service fees of from $10 to $15, and $25 in one instance for a Stamdard- bred. There are a good lot of mares, in weight 1,400 Ibs., and of good Clydesdale character. The number of stallions in Pickering township is 43, of which 26 are Clydesdales, 14 Hackneys and Hackney ponies, and three Standard-breds (two of these being grades). Many of these are for sale, and are not stand- ing for regular service, but those that do, earn service fees of from $10 to $20. The general average is naturally good, and soundness is the rule. The mares in this township are a good lot, having an average weight of 1,400 Ibs., and in type favoring the Clydesdale. 6 H.B. 82 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Ontario — Continued . STALLIONS. Breeding. Number. -tJ* 03 V J3r& SP.£Pg C ® B £*S, •^ Average age. Serviceably sound. a! B Md E|| > o -3 <1 Number of mares served. Average service fee. Clydesdales, Imported 55 1,655 5 54 Fairly good 2 904 $ 13 Clydesdales, Canadian-bred, and Grades (22 pure-breds, 1 grade) . . 28 1,575 4 All .... (Jood 805 10 Shires and Percherons (1 Shire, 1 Percheron) ?, 1,900 7 1. Good 160 13 I lackneys 15 1,225 7 All Good . 80 14 Standard-breds, Imported 7 1,140 9 All Good 368 15 Roadsters, Canadian-bred 3 1,075 5 All. Good 130 11 Grades, Roadster 8 1,125 11 All Fair 162 g Thoroughbreds ? 1,050 12 All Fair 129 12 Grades 3 9 All 237 9 Totals m 4 975 MARES. Townships. Number of mares bred to stallions inspected in township Type. s '53 || Average quality. Uxbridge 884 65 532 835 383 373 524 1,379 Good 1,250 1,300 1,250 to 1,300 1,300 1,400 1,400 1,400 1,400 Fair. Fair. Good. Good. Good. Good. Good. Good. Scott Good Reach Good Brock Good Thorah Good Mara Good Whitby and East Whitby Good Pickering ... Good . . Total 4,975 MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions . Total. Serviceably sound. Not serviceably sound. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. Number of stallions . 0 3 «3 |~ •^ rt) & |U o> o> 3 oo Number of mares bred to. f bC S • Registered Stallions . 106 7 4,576 399 104 7 4,397 399 $ 12 8 2 179 12 Totals 113 4,975 111 4,796 2 179 6a H. B. 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 83 On tario — Con cl u ded . At the Port Perry meeting held November 13th for the County of On- tario, sixty-five were present. The following are points taken by some of the speakers and approved of by those present : An Inspection and License law might do good, but there might be con- siderable difficulty in carrying out the work of inspection and licensing. If a license law were passed it should also extend to an inspection of the progeny, and to imported horses at time of landing. Men should club together and in this way get good sires by forming a syndicate, if this is properly done. Horses not registered, and not serviceably sound should not be allowed to stand for service. A license fee should be only as high as will meet the cost of inspection. The Government should encourage Agricul- tural Societies to give premiums to good horses and get them into a neigh- borhood. Government should inspect and license first, and then encourage societies to give premiums afterwards. In Scotland, in lieu of premiums, 90 to 100 mares is the limit that district stallions are allowed to "serve. There are just two classes of horses that are profitable, the heavy horse and the harness horse. The expert judges sent out should report to- the Govern- ment the class of horses found in the different districts in the Province. There are many light horses travelling in this locality which have never left a good colt. This district is pre-eminently fitted for the breeding of heavy horses. A License law should be brought into operation at once. The following motion was moved by Jno. Yipond, seconded by Herb. Collacott, and carried unanimously : "We the breeders and horsemen of the riding of South Ontario do hereby request that a license be placed on stallions in this riding, and also that none but a stallion of recognized breed be allowed to be used for ser- vice, and that he be recorded in our Stud Book, or in the book of the coun- try in which he was bred. We also would request that an unsound stallion be not granted a license when his unsoundness is of an hereditary nature, such as side bones, spavin, ringbones, etc., and further, that there be a li- cense fee of $25. Also that the Government should encourage horse breed- ers' associations and district societies." SPECIAL REPORT OF INSPECTORS. We beg to submit herewith our own impressions gained while engaged on the work of horse inspection, and our own opinion as to whether the horse industry of the Province would be best encouraged by means of a Govern- ment Inspection and License law. At the outset, according to instructions we sought to keep our own counsel, and endeavored to draw out the opinions of the owners of stallions, uninfluenced by 'any ideas or suggestions made by us. Although the majority of the stallion owners seemed to favor inspection and license, yet with the exception of two or three individuals, none seemed to realize, that, in the event of such an act coming into force, their own animals would fall under the ban. Although the report shows that a large percentage of stallion owners favor the Inspection and License system, yet, in conversation your Inspectors were strongly impressed with the idea that the great majority of those had given the matter very little serious consideration, and therefore were not in a position to give an opinion as the result of careful and mature deliberation. As a consequence, when the public meetings were held, and some half dozen or so would express themselves as being favorable to inspec- 84 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION 'No. 65 Report Inspectors1 District 5. — Continued. tion and license, the balance of the gathering as a, matter of course fell in line, having no definite opinions of their own. Even those who carried the meetings did not impress your Inspectors with the idea that they had given the matter sufficient consideration to realize the difficulties which 'the De- partment may encounter in carrying out their suggestions. In the prosecution of our labors, and as the result of serious considera- tion your Inspectors are so keenly alive to the following observations that we herewith present them to your judgment. (1) Many inferior sires are being used in service throughout this dis- trict of the Province, and many, even some good sires are kept in miserable unhealthy and unthrifty condition. (2) A number of sires have been sold to their present owners at exorbi- tant prices. (3) That the crossing of Percheron sires (of which we saw quite a num- ber) upon the class of heavy females of the Province, principally of Clydes- dale and Shire breeding- will result in serious injury to the horse breeding industry. (4) In some sections of our district, if inferior sires were prohibited from standing for iservice, there would not, at /present, be a sufficient num- ber of suitable sires, and in those sections many farmers do -not seem to real- ize the grea — 'O S>.5f5 «ii > f p. •4 Average age. Serviceably sound. Average con- formation. Number of mares served. Average service fee. Clydesdales, Imported 7 1,700 7 6 Fair 506 $ 10 Clydesdales, Canadian-bred 5 1,565 *'. 4 . Fairly good 547 10 Grades, Clydesdale 1? 1,420 5 All Fair 905 7 Shires, Imported and Grades of Shire breeding ? 1 525 4 All. ... Only fair 71 7 Grades, Percheron 3 1,375 10 2 .. . Fairlv good 165 7 Hackneys, Imported and Canadian- bred (2 Imported, 1 Canadian- bred) .... s 1 325 6 2 Fairly good 250 14 Standard-breds, Imported 5 1,090 7 2 Fairly good 155 16 Roadsters, Canadian-bred 3 1,180 5 All. Very good 87 10 Grades, Roadster 10 1,090 5 6 Fair 244 g Grades, German Coach .... 2 1 400 9 1 Fair 40 8 French and English Coach a 1,250 9 All. ... Good 72 13 Grades, English Coach 2 1,250 10 All. ... Fairly good 96 10 Grades, French Canadian 8 1,200 6 All. . . Fair 454 7 Totals 64 3 592 88 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Hastings — Concluded. MARES. Townships. Hu Type. '3 13 s u- i o5;*f oj g bra &> | I.I.S3 2 a 0) O S 2 0) to •^ •< ^ Sidney 416 Light, General Purpose and Drivers 1,000 Medium 12 Thurlow and Tyendinaga 796 Majority light, General Purpose with a few Standard-breds of fair quality 1,075 Fair 11 Hungerford 835 Light General Purpose, some Stand- ard-breds and Clydesdales 1,150 Medium 10 Elzevir, Madoc and Mar- 519 Mostly General Purpose, a few mora Clydesdales and some Hackney and Standard-breds 1,100 Fair 10 Rawdon and Huntington 624 Light General Purpose 1.150 Medium 12 Dungannon, Monteagle and Wollaston 402 Total 3,592 MAKES BRBD TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions. Total. Serviceably sound. -Not serviceably sound. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. Number of stallions . "8 6 u on -^ | . ji Number of mares bred to. | 2® ** •£ Registered Stallions.. Grade Stallions Totals 26 38 1,677 1,915 20 32 1,429 1,709 $ 12 8 6 6 248 206 $ 14 7 64 3,592 52 3,138 12 454 Very few of the horsemen spoken to hesitate to denounce the scrub stal-^ lion, and most of them speak of legislation against them as the only way of overcoming this nuisance. Some think that, education through the Farmers' Institutes would bring more business to the owners of well bred horses. There is much difference of opinion among farmers as to the proper definition of the word ".scrub" as applied to stallions, and this question was much dis- cussed at the public meeting held at Madoc on October 17th. No recom- mendation was made by those present as the meeting was about evenly divided, half being in favor of legislation on the subject and the other half claiming that the Government should work along educational lines. 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 89 PETERBOROUGH. As regards the townships of Belmont, Methuen, and Dummer in this county, the Inspectors report a decided improvement in the class of heavy horses inspected, ana there is evidence of more intelligent interest being taken by farmers in horse breeding. The "scrub" is much com- plained of, however, and any legislation that will protect the owners of high class horses and encourage systematic breeding will be favorably re- ceived by most of the horsemen here. Stallion inspection and a license fee appear to be the only form of legislation considered likely to improve the present state of the horse industry. With but two exceptions, a Clydesdale and a Percheron, all the s^res inspected were grades, viz., a Coach, Clydes- dale, Percheron, and two Standard-breds. One is not sound, but on the whole they average up fairly well. The maximum for stud fees is $10, and minimum $5. Mares in these townships are a little better and heavier than in some of the other districts, but show no particular line of breeding with the exception of some grade Clydesdales. There are also a few registered mares of that breed. While there are a large number of light mares, there are not many high class drivers among them. Peterborough town being adjacent to the townships of Otonabee and Asphodel, there are naturally a large number of stallions travelling in that section. Included in them are five pure-bred Clydesdales, and seven grades, eight pure-bred Shires, a German Coach horse, three pure-bred and two grade Standard-breds, a Percheron, a French Canadian, a pure-bred and a grade Hackney and a nondescript. There is a good deal of unsoundness among these horses, and some, at least, should not be travelling on this account, and also for poor conformation. There are some good sires amongst them, however, and some have good reports about them as stock getters. There is a pretty wide range of fees from $5 to $15, the former for grades. Mares here show some improvement along draft lines, not too many are old and worn put and not suited to give the best results in breeding. Very few give evidence of breed quality, and most of them are too light to mate with heavy stallions. Here, again, horsemen are nearly all a unit in asking that steps be taken to banish the "scrub" stallion, but opinions differ as to what action should be taken. Some would make reg- istration a necessary qualification for all stallions, while a large number seem to favor inspection of all stallions as well as their progeny. The fact that some registered stallions have been failures in the stud, while some unregistered horses are recognized in the community as excellent stock getters, is put forward as an argument against pedigree qualification being made the standard. Many express the conviction that educating farm- ers as to the advantages of line breeding and the proper mating of their mares should be attempted before compulsory legislation is introduced. The townships of North Monaghan, Smith, and Ennismore also bene- fit by the proximity of Peterborough, and no less than twenty-three stal- lions are found in this district. In this list are three pure-bred and six grade Clydesdales, three pure-bred and one grade Percheron, one Shire, four pure-bred and four grade Standard-breds and a grade Coach horse. Here, too, there is some unsoundness, but even among the grades there are some pretty goood horses. Six dollars is the lowest stud fee and $15, the .highest. Mares are of fair average quality, but the age average is too high. The general purpose type of about 1,200 Ibs. predominates, but there are a few Clydesdales and some good road mares. Stallion owners 90 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Peterborough — Continued. complain that the best mares are used on the road, and the culls kept for breeding. The greatest hindrance to improvements is the cheap stallion. Owners of high priced horses are anxious for legislation to protect them. The amount of the fee carries more weight with some farmers than the quality of the stallion or suitability of the mare. Education is much needed along the lines of intelligent breeding and mating of mares. The major- ity of those spoken to favor stallion inspection, and quite a number advo- cate a license fee on all stallions. Opinions vary as to the amount of the fee, some thinking that $25 would be sufficient, others $100. High prices offered for horses have induced farmers to part with their good mares. The introduction of the cayeuse into this district has also lowered the standard as many farmers have been foolish enough to breed them. STALLIONS. Breeding. Number. +? 02 a> rt t3 tJD'bC C |f 8, •< o5 Sf o > •< Serviceably sound. Average conformation. Number of mares served. Average service fee. Clydesdales, Imported 3 1,730 6 All.. Fairly good. 215 $ 13 Clydesdales, Canadian-bred 6 1,700 4 All.... Fairly good. 432 11 Grades Clydesdale , . . . . 14 1,550 7 9 Fair 576 g Shires Imported 9 1,765 7 8 Fair 166 9 Percherons 5 1,740 7 4 Fairly good. 360 11 Grades, Percherons ?, 1,550 6 All.... Fairly good. 115 9 Hackneys and Grades ? 5 All .... Fair 100 12 Standard-breds Imported 3 990 11 2 Good 226 14 Roadsters Canadian-bred 4 1,120 11 3 .. Pretty good. 141 12 Grades Roadster 8 1,150 5 5 Fair 143 8 German Coach and Grades (1 pure- bred • 2 grades) 3 1,450 13 All.... Fairly good. 269 10 Grades, French Canadians and 3 975 3 2 Poor ... 21 7 Totals 62 2,764 MARES. m a 2 o ^_- ^ Townships. »lf A M-H CD ^3 M- Type. M '5 ^ > Belmont, Methuen and Dummer 324 A few heavy, mostly light general purpose 1,200 Fair 1 256 Mixed 1,200 Fair 12 North Monaghan, Smith 1 184 1,200 Fair 12 Total.. 2,764 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 91 Peterborough — Concluded. MARES BRBD TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions. Total. Serviceably sound. Not serviceably sound. Number of Btallions. Number of mares bred to. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. p 3> • £8 K* •*"" <1 Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. o> SP - £ o> O> O> ^ Eegietered Stallions.. Grade Stallions 32 30 1,740 1,024 28 21 1,572 820 12 8 4 9 168 204 $ 14 10 Totals 62 2,764 49 2,392 13 372 At the Peterborough meeting on October 24th, there was not a very large attendance owing to a severe thunderstorm that evening. A motion was carried favoring a standard of registration in the recognized stud book of the respective breeds in order to qualify stallions for service, and the majority were in favor of legislation to prevent "scrub" stallions doing business. Opinions varied as to the most nrontable class of horse to breed, but the majority are breeding for the heavy horse market, and consider heavy horses most profitable. The syndicate system of ownership is not very popular. The opinion of many is that syndicate horses are purchased at prices much beyond their value. With very few exceptions, horsemen consider stallion inspection a good thing. This, and a license fee on all stallions seem to be the two principal methods suggested to improve the horse industry. VICTORIA. Two-thirds of the stallions standing for service in Emily township in this county are classified as sound, and, taken as a whole, they seem to be a fair lot. There are four registered Clydesdales and two grades, one of the latter being a cross on French stock, a crbss occasionally found in this and adjoining counties; three Standard-breds and a grade, a Percheron, and a Thoroughbred. For most of these the fees range from $8 to f 14. Ten being a common charge. Mares are medium, and of mixed type. There is not much difference in the type of mares in Verulam town- ship, except that occasionally heavier ones are met with, but the general quality is only medium and average weight about 1,150 Ibs. In this town- ship is found what is rather rare, seven Suffolk Punch stallions. They are all in the one stable, all typical of the breed and sound. Besides these there are- three pure-bred and two grade Clydesdales, three grade Standard-breds and two French horses, one unregistered. There are a few unsound horses, and, apart from the Suffolk Punch and some Clydesdales, there are not many good ones in! the district. Five, eight, ten, twelve and fifteen dollars are some of the fees charged. In this section a number of horsemen express 'themselves as opposed to compulsory legislation in any form in connection with horse breeding. While there are in the townships of Fenelon and Somerville thirteen sires, some of these the Inspectors were unable to see,, and therefor, there is 92 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Victoria — Continued. no report of such. Of those seen there were three pure-bred (Clydesdales, two of them imported, and two Standard-breds, one of these not being regis- tered, though eligible. They are a fairly good lot of horses, and their stud fees are from flO to f 15. Mares are of mixed types, as elsewhere, and aver- age 1,250 Ibs. Mares in Ops township are fairly good, with a large percentage of draught type, averaging 1,300 Ibs. There is a good percentage of Clydes- dale stallions located in Lindsay, all seven being pure-bred. Besides these there are four Standard-breds, two Coach horses, and a French Draught. No less than four are unsound and are unfit for service. The balance are fairly good. flO is the minimum service fee, and |15 the highest except for a Standard-bred for which the fee is $25. Horsemen interviewed, expressed opinions similar to those already given; while the majority favored stallion inspection, there are still quite a large number of breeders doubtful as to the wisdom of such legislation. There is quite a noticeable improvement in the quality of both stallions and mares in Marposa township as compared with some of the districts pre- viously visited. While mares are of mixed breeding and very few conform to any particular type, still they average fairly well in quality and weight. There is no unsoundness reported amongst the >stallions inspected, which comprise six pure and four grade Clydesdales and two Standarl-bred grades and a grade Thoroughbred.- Service fees are only given in some cases and work out at $9 to $15. Some of these stallions only stand at their own stables., Inspection and license on stallions seem to be the most favored form of legislation. The stallions in Eldon township are not so good as they might be, with perhaps, three exceptions. Heavy horses are most popular. A lack of good mares and the patronizing of unsuitable stallions hinder improvement. The majority of horsemen favor a stallion Inspection Act as a means to improve the horse industry. There are five Canadian-bred Clydesdales and a grade, a Standard-bred and a grade in this district, besides two that the Inspectors were unable to examine. One horse has passed his usefulness, but has been a good one. The following suggestions made in writing to Inspectors by a horseman of this county are given here in full : "There are two or three things a Government measure ought to deal with most stringently. One is unsoundness, whether acquired or otherwise. Unsound horses should not be allowed to do business, even should their breeding be all that is required. No license should be granted, and if their owners are known to collect fees, make it hot for them. "The inspection made by a competent Inspector. "I think too it is highly important that the Government define clearly the standard of character required. I am inclined to think it would not be wise to place that standard too high at first, but say in four or five years, by a gradual process of thinning out, reach a standard equal to or higher than our Associations require. "My reasons are that a great number of men have purchased stallions for next year's service that will not begin to reach what is required by either the Clydesdale or Shire Associations. In these cases it would be a 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 93 Victoria — Continued . great hardship if they were refused a license. Again, if the standard is placed high at first the licenses might be too few for the amount of service required. I do most strongly deprecate crowding a horse for all he is worth. Sixty or seventy mares ought to be the limit, and I would be an advocate for keeping the service down to this limit. Let a register of service be pro- duced at the time of obtaining the license, and if service exceeds, withhold lidense. . Again, let the Act say to those importing, 'You will not be able to obtain a license unless jour horse comes up at least to the standard requir- ed by our associations; importation alone will not count.' This is a most important point and, if enforced, would I think, be the greatest boon to this business. "In this section we have been confining ourselves principally (75 per cent.) to the Clydesdale and Shire, and I think perhaps we have some speci- mens of these tas good as are to be found anywhere, but they are few. The reason is not far to look for. Although using imported stock this stock has not been of any higher character, and in very many cases, a good deal lower than the mares bred. As an instance, three years ago an imported horse was syndicated to the west to me, and I was approached to use my mares. They handed me his card, and I immediately found that he had but one cross on his dam's side, his being only the second cross. Now this horse cost about $2,500. That, with the fact that it was imported, brought to it some of the best mares. Can you look for improvement under such circumstances. We want to stop the introduction of such short pedigreed stock. "Now in the case of Standard-breds I think that breeding (straight line) alone should count. There is no class of horses that needs such drastic measures (applied as this class. Observation convinces me that but little improvement has been made, if any, in the appearance and gait of our B/oad and Carriage class for very many years, and if it is dnly through straight pure-breeding we get improvement in other breeds it cannot be otherwise in this class. Let us have a clear well defined law of registration along this line. "Now as to license, I am of the opinion that it would be the wrong way of doing things to place a high license on the 'good horse'. Put it on the other horse. Those are the ones we want to get rid of, and I would grade up his license according to his character, making it as prohibitory as possible. If you place a high license on the good horse, of course he must increase his fee. iNow, while I would willingly pay a good large fee for good service, my neighbor says 'Well, if I have to give that I simply cannot afford it,' and the consequence is he does not breed. 'Now that would be a great hard- ship and likewise a misfortune. My idea is to strive to keep the good ser- vice down as low as possible, and the poorer service up so near to it that the difference of fee would be so trifling as not to be ponsidered or valued. If we can only get there we will be on the forward march. "Again, I think it would be a good idea to publish a list of all the horses licensed to do service, in the local papers, this to be sent in by the Inspector arid vouched for by him. This would 'act as a check on unlicensed service, assuming this service to be punishable. "I would make it compulsory to have a certified copy of the character and inspection and name of the horse on the bills or whatever advertising medium he had. I think a commission ought to be appointed in every dis- REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Victoria — Continued . trict to inspect and issue licenses, the commission to sit in different places in the district; those days to be advertised in the local papers long enough ahead so that all could know and be prepared for it. The commission to consist of say four farmers well known as good stock men, and men with backbone enough to saj what they think. The vote to be taken by ballot. "Every sire receiving a license should be minutely described, etc., and the 'places of service given with owner's name, groom's name, amount of fee. As for the lien, I do not think it worth much." STALLIONS. Breeding. Number. jjp OD O> j=^ p»§ 5 s? § £ * & 01 •< Clydesdales, Imported 8 1,700 6 All Fairly good. 554 $ 15 Clydesdales, Canadian-bred 22 1 560 4 18. Fair 971 10 Grades, Clydesdale 8 1,195 6 7 Fair 213 7 Percherons and French Draught . . 2 1,750 6 Poor 71 8 Suffolk Punch 7 1,455 3 All.. Fair 87 Standard-breds, Imported 6 950 IK All Fair 290 15 Roadsters, Canadian-bred 3 1,150 6 All .. Fair 184 12 Grades, Roadster 8 1,100 7 7 Fair 267 8 Thoroughbreds and Grades 2 12 1 Fair Cleveland Bay 2 1,500 7 All Good 140 10 French Canadians and Grades . . . 2 1 200 7 All Fair 111 10 TJnenumerated 8 Totals 78 2,868 MARES. Townships. Number of mares bred to stallions inspected in township. Type. «r f *« 0>t3 W) C » 2 > ft •< 8J? |l 3 Average age. Emily 573 Mixed 1,100 Medium . Verulam 708 Mixed 1,150 Medium . 13 Fenelon and Somerville 309 Mixed 1,250 Medium . 10 Ops 813 Mixed . . 1,300 Fair 10 Mariposa 197 Mixed . 1,250 Fair 11 Eldon . 268 Mixed 1,300 Fair 10 Total 2 868 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 95 Victoria — Concluded. MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions. Total. Serviceably sound. Not serviceably sound. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. tj Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. Q) Serviceably sound. Average conforma- tion. Number of mares served. i Average service fee. Clydesdales Imported . 28 1,600 8 21.. Fairly good. 1,926 $ 1? Clydesdales Canadian-bred 16 1,650 5 All. Fairly good . 901 10 Grades Clydesdale . . .... 6 1,280 3 5... Pretty good . 214 9 Shire" Imported and Suffolk Punch 2 1,600 7 All. Fair 218 1? Percherons 5 1,600 3 All. Fair 185 1? Hackneys Imported 17 1,160 3 12.. Good 378 1ft 1 1,200 4 All. Good 50 10 Standard-breds Imported 6 1,030 10 5... Fairly good. 152 1? Roadsters Canadian-bred 6 1,125 12 All. . Fairly good . 361 10 Grades Roadster . - 5 1,300 3 4 Only fair. . . 40 10 Grades, German and English Coach, and French-Canadian 3 1,375 109 All.... Pretty good . 129 8 Unenumerated 4 Totals 99 4,554 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 97 Durham — Concluded. MARES. Townships. Number of rnares bred to stallions inspected in township. Type. i £ .bp '<£ *"* be G Average quality. Average age. Hope and S Monaghan 269 Mostly draught 1,400 Fair. 10 Cavan and Manvers 2,015 Mostly draught 1,400 Fair 11 Cartwright -473 Mixed 1,200 Medium . 10 Darlington 877 Mostly draught, some Hacknevsand Standard-bred 1,250 Fair 10 Clarke. 920 Mixed 1,250 Draughts, good ; Roadsters, Medium 10 Total 4,554 MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions. Total. Serviceably sound. Not serviceably sound. Number of stallions. Number of rjares bred to. Number of stallions. *-•* _o ^^ .2 3 to 15 6 o> m ^ Jll p bC 03 • C 03 • f £ Registered Stallions.. Grade Stallions 81 14 4 4,171 383 68 12 3,909 350 $ 10 9 13 2 262 33 $ 11 8 Unenumerated Totals 99 4,554 80 4,259 1 15 295 At the public meeting held at Orono, November 9th, Mr. Thos. Cowan, Oiono, moved, seconded by Mr. H. C. Hoar, Hampton, "That a tax of $100 be levied on all UE registered stallions kept for service, and that reg- istered stallions be inspected and be required to measure up to a proper standard of quality, soundness, and conformation in order obtain a permit to be used as stock horses." Carried unanimously. NORTHUMBERLAND . Coming to Northumberland county the first townships visited were Hamilton and Haldimand. Some of the stallions found here are good, but too many are not of a quality to improve the horse sta'ndard. Patronage of inferior stallions and breeding from inferior mares appear to be the most serious hindrance to improved conditions. Here, too, the majority of horse- men are in favor of a Stallion Inspection Act. The sfallions are twenty in number, being ten pure-bred. Clydesdales, three grades of same blood crossed with French, two Shire grades, a Percheron, a Standard-bred, and two grades, and a grade Thoroughbred. Their average conformation is only fair. Service fees ra'nge from $8 to 15. As regards mares, those of Clydesdale type are good, but lighter stock is inferior. . 7 H.B. 98 No. 65 Northumberland — Continued. The tendency of the sires in Cramabe township is towards the light breeds, there , being six Standard-breds, two Hackneys, two Clydesdales, a Shire and two Percherons. It cannot be said that the average is good, although there are a few horses of nice quality, and the stud fees are not lower than $10 and as high as $15 and $25. The mares here do not scale over 1,200 Ibs. on the average, and are rather an inferior class. "There is much room for improvement," say the Inspectors, and a hesitancy on the part of many farmers to breed their best mares seems to be one of the diffi- culties. Stallion inspection and more education along the lines of systematic breeding are among the suggested means of improvement. There are rather more "heavy sires in Percy and Seymour townships than in the last named, the proportion of heavy to light being about equal. There is considerable unsoundness, however, reported and average quality is not very high. Minimum stud fees are $5 in one case, and the general amount is from $8 to $16. Mares are, with few exceptions not of any parti- cular type. The majority of the heavier class lack size and the lighter ones substance. Breeders in this section, as a rule, are ready to favor any legis- lation that will encourage improvement i'n stallions imported. • In too many cases much injury is being caused by inferior registered and imported stallions which do not compare as favorably as they should with the grade, either individually or by their progeny. In Brighton and Murray townships more young mares have been bred lately, but there are still too many unsound and inferior ones being bred for improvement to be rapid. Their type is mixed, being on the average not above 1,100 Ibs. and quality is medium. There are nine grade stallions in this section to three pure-breds, these latter being all Clydesdales. The grades are made up of the following breeding ; Clydesdales four. Percheron one, Standard-breds three (one, it is claimed, being entitled to record), and French one. The highest service fee is $10 and lowest $5. Two, at least, are unsound. STALLIONS. _ £ SoloC M) 03 *rt g^ CD gl) ScJ & rt •»-< £3 £ • o C Eo (-> C a 03 C o3 ^ (- >-> a ^ is P- 3 C to > ra to ^ <1 £ ^ ^ ^ Clydesdales, Imported 6 1,680 7 4 Fairlv good. 590 $ 12 Clydesdales Canadian-bred 11 1 560 4 10 Fair 676 10 Grades Clydesdale q 1 475 7 8 Fairly good . 546 8 Shires, Imported and Grades (1 pure-bred ; 3 Grades) 4 1,500 6 All.... Fairly good . 178 12 Percherons, Imported and Grades 4 1 335 3 3 Fair 198 11 Hackneys Imported 8 1 365 8 All Fair 105 14 Standard-breds Imported 9 1 025 10 8 Fairly good. 406 17 Grades (Roadster and Thorough- bred") (8 Roadsters ; 1 Thorough- bred) q 965 11 8 Fair 250 8 Grades French Canadian 8 1 350 12 All-. . . . Fair 170 10 Mixed Breeding 4 1,600 3 3 Good 12 5 Totals. . 62 3,131 7a H.B. 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 99 N ortlwmberland — Concluded. MARES. tn m 03 — (— ' £ ^ Township. O m urpose 1,200 Pooi' 10 Brighton and Murray. . 563 Mixed . . ... 1,100 Medium . 11 Total 3,131 MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions. Total. Serviceably sound. Not serviceably sound. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. 0) P QU Number of mares bred to. I 1 Kegistered Stallions.. Grade Stallions 32 30 1,907 .1,224 28 26 1,547 1,122 $ 12 9 4 4 „ 360 102 $ 12 5 Totals 62 3,131 54 2,669 8 462 The public meeting for the county of Northumberland was held at Brighton on November 15th, and after discussion a motion was carried favoring inspection of all recognized breeds: "That all stallions kept for service be required to pay a tax of $ 25 ; that the minimum fee charged for ser- vice should be $10 a mare ; and thaf a Lien Act be passed to give the stallion •owner a lien on the mare and foal until the service fee for sire of foal be paid." PRINCE EDWAED. In the townships of Hallowell and North and South Marysborough there are twenty- four stallions altogether, which include two imported Percher- ons and two grades, a pure-bred and three grade 'Clydesdales, a French grade, six Standard-breds and six grades, a German Coach horse, a Carriage horse acd a Hackney. Some are too advanced in age to be of much use as sires, and again others are unsound. Altogether they cannot be described as a good average lot, although, as elsewhere, there are some good ones among them. Twenty-five dollars is quoted as the fee for a Standard-bred, but the general fee ranges from $15 to as low as $5. Mares are of a very mixed type, not over 1,100 Ibs. in weight on the average, and their quality is poor. A few good ones are found here and there. Some of the stallion owners favor a stallion Inspection Act, but quite a number are indifferent, while others think that legislation is entirely unnecessary. 100 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Prince Edward — Continued. Mares are no improvement in Hillier township, being poor and very mixed in type. Stallions, too, are not a good lot, with very few exceptions. All are grades except an imported Clydesdale and a Percheron, and are as follows : one grade Clydesdale, two grade Standard-breds, a grade Shire, and two French grades. Their fees run from $8 to $15. Of the five stallions in Ameliasburg township, four are grades and one a Canadian-bred registered Clydesdale. Three of the grades are of Standard-bred blood and one Percheron. They are a fair average lot. Five to ten dollars is the range of the fees. Mares are a little heavier here and somewhat better in quality. Sophiasburg has also just five stallions, one a registered Standard-bred, one a grade of same breeding, a Clydesdale and Carriage grade, and two Percheron grades. Three are sound, but there is plenty of room for im- provement all round. Service fees are $7 and $8. Mares average the same as in the township previous. STALLIONS. Breeding. Number. •j^1 CD OiXSTJ Sf§§ III -< Average age. Serviceably sound. Average con- formation. Number of mares served. Average ser- vice fee. Clydesdales, Imported and Cana- dian-bred (1 Imported, 2 Cana- dian-bred) < • 3 1,650 6 2 Fairly good . 223 $ 11 Grades, Clydesdale and Shire (5 Clydesdales 1 Shire) 6 1,425 9 4 Fair 314 8 Peroherons 3 1,800 12 2 Fair 235 13 ft 1,370 8 3 Fair 272 7 Hackneys Imported 1 1,250 5 All. ... Good 80 15 4 970 10 3 Fair 168 15 Roadsters Canadian-bred 4 1,050 11 All. ... Fairly good. 160 13 Grades Roadster 11 1,090 6 7 Fair 271 7 Grades German and English Coach 9 1,325 8 1 Fairly good . 137 10 Grades French Canadian 3 1,100 . 5 All. . . . Only fair. . . 152 7 Totals 4?. 2,012 MAKES. Townships. Number of mares bred to stallions inspected in township. Type. '55 Average quality. 9 % .1 o> •5 12 12 Hallowell, and South and North Marysburg Hillier 1,037 552 179 244 t Mixed 1,100 1,200 1,200 1,200 Poor . . . Poor . . . Medium Medium Mixed Mixed Mixed - Total ' 2,012 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 101 Prince Edward — Concluded. MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT GLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions. Total. Serviceably sound. Not serviceabl y sound. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. • s * S3 M > 03 <1 Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. y> 8P • 2 ® §SP •< Registered Stallions.. Grade Stallions 15 27 866 1,146 12 18 717 790 12 8 3 9 149 356 13 8 Totals. . . -. 42 2,012 30 1,507 12 505 At the public meeting for the county of Prince Edward, held at Picton on November 30th, it was resolved: "That this meeting favor stallion in- spection and a license fee on all stallions kept for stock purposes. That the stallion owners as a compensation for their license fee should be pro- tected by a Lien Act, giving them a claim on all the mares bred to their horses until fee for said service is paid." SPECIAL REPORT OF INSPECTORS. As Inspectors having served in the investigation of horse industry of Ontario, we are convinced that a system of stallion inspection would be bene- ficial. The district through which we travelled has suffered from the prac- tice .of selling off too many of the best mares and using unsaleable, ancl in too many cases, unsound mares for breeding. Another thing which has had a bad effect on the industry is the importation of inferior, and in some cases, unsound stallions. In our opinion no sltallion should be admitted from Britain or any other country that is unsound or does not measure up to the standard of breeding we require from our own breeders. Secondly, we would suggest that a standard should be fixed requiring all stallions kept for ser- vice to be free from hereditary unsoundness. Thirdly, that all stallions that qualify should be granted a certificate and be protected in the collection of service fee by a lien on colt. Fourthly, that at Winter Fairs and at 'Farm- ers' Institute meetings the subject of horse breeding and the selection of sires should be enlarged upon and given more attention than heretofore. In, the hands of the average farmer the draught and general purpose horses are most profitable, but there are also several men who have well bred, warm blooded mares that are producing high class carriage and road horses that sell for big prices. The system of syndicate ownership has not been generally satisfactory. Under that system there is nearly always too much paid for the stallions, and in many cases cull horses -are foisted on the purchasers. The time is ripe for some action to be taken by the Department. Horse breeders and farmers generally expect it. (Signed.) J. G. CLARK. JAMES IRVING. DISTRICT NO. 7. Counties. — Prescott, Russell, Carlton, Renfrew and Lanark. Inspectors. — W. F. Kidd, Simcoe; and Geo. Gray, Newcastle. PKESCOTT. In the townships of East and West Hawkesbury there are sixteen stal- lions, two pure-bred and three grade Clydesdales, one pure-bred and two grade Percherons, a pure-bred Shire, three 'pure-bred and two*grade French Canadians, and a registered Standard-bred. All are serviceably sound and of good average conformation. The general average of service fees is very low, $5 being the figure for several; in two cases $10 are charged. One of the imported Clydesdales serving at the last named figure is marked as a very good horse. Mares are general purpose, and from that to very light, poor in quality, very few weighing over 1,150 Ibs. There are four grade stallions in Caledonia township, two being Clydes- dales, one being Standard-bred and the remaining one of no breeding what- soever. The two heavy ones are best as regards conformation, but the Stan- dard-bred is fair in that respect. All are sound. In fact, only two really unsound horses were seen in this county. Fees are $5 in everj instance. Mares are a very poor lot. . There are two pure-bred sires in South Plantagenet township, one each of the Clydesdale and the French Canadian breeds. The remaining seven are as follows : two Percheron grades, a Clydesdale grade, a Coach grade, two Standard-bred grades, and a cross-bred Pony and Coach. All qualify as to soundness, and the general average conformation is fair. The fee for the Pony-Coach stallion is $3, the lowest yet met with, and the highest fee is $7. Mares are light in tjpe and poo^in quality, showing no particular breeding. ' With six grade stallions in North Plantagenet 'township, four are of Clydesdale breeding and two of French Canadian stock, one of the latter having some Clydesdale blood. Not one is unsound, and they are of fair conformation and action. Stud fees are $5 and f 6. ' Mares are much the same as in the other townships of this county. There is one pure-bred sire in Alfred township, an 'imported Shire. The six grades are Clydesdales, two; Percherons, three; and Standard-breds, 'one. The fee 'for the Shire is $10; for the others $5, $6, and $7. They are of fair conformation all round. Two Percheron grades, a Clydesdale grade, a Standard-bred grade, and a Thoroughbred grade make up the list of stallions for Longueil town- ship. Two here are unsound, and the general average conformation is not high. Fees are about the same as in the previous township, $5 and $6. Mares are poor and mostly light, with some general purpose. [102] 1906 REPORT ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 103 Prescott — Continued. STALLIONS. <3> 05 0 ~ aj OS 2 a HH Breeding. fe Sj'^'fl so $"2 & o - 9> 3 <3> ,0 a 3 & »i— t ^ V fe I > f ft 8 0) !§ gs • ill > y -3 a o 03 gnfc. 4) D & •< 33 •** 5 *< Clvdesdales, Imported and Can- adian-bred (2 imported, 1 Can- $ adian-bred) .... 3 1,700 7 AD .... Good 241 8 Grades Clvdesdale 13 1,455 5 12 Fairly good . 451 6 Shires, Imported, and Percherons (2 Shires, 1 Percheron) 3 1,750 7 All . . Fairly good . 180 9 Grades Percheron . . . 9 1,445 5 All Fair 501 6 Standard-breds and Grades (1 Pure- bred • 5 Grades) . 6 1,145 11 All .... Fair 86 7 Grades, Thoroughbred and Coach (1 Thorough-bred 2 Coach) 3 1 100 6 2.. Fair . . 97 6 French Canadians . . 4 1,300 5 All .... Fair 246 6 Grades French Canadian 5 1,340 6 All Fair 244 6 No Particular Breeding 1 1,300 8 All .... Fair 16 fi Totals 47 2,062 MARES. 0) ^ i ||.s I "oS Townships. lolf Type. i_ 4— ^ X1 D rO 0) ^ r^^ ^ ~ bo a bO 'a ^ & ^ 2 s 2 i •> §< o> to <1 •S East and West Hawkes- bury 894 General Purpose and Light 1,150 Poor Caledonia 145 General Purpose and Light . . . , 1,150 Poor South Plantagenet 438 Light, no particular breeding 1,150 Poor North Plantagenet 182 Light, no particular breeding 1,150 Poor .... Alfred 217 Light, no particular breeding 1,150 Poor Longueil 186 Light, no particular breeding 1 150 Poor Total 2062 MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions. Total. Serviceably sound. Not serviceably sound. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. o> §P • £ 60 9s • h V ££ -< Registered Stallions . Grade Stallions Totals 11 36 679 1,383 11 34 679 1,298 $ 8 6 $ 2 85 11 47 2,062 45 1,977 2 85 104 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. Presc'ott — Concluded. There were 35 present at the meeting for the county of Prescott whicK was held at Vankleek Hill on October 13th. Those present were rather unwilling to express their ideas on the subject of stallions. Thirteen were in favor of giving certificates tp .registered, sound horses up to a certain standard of excellence. Nine were in favor of no stallion being permitted to travel unless licensed. A few were in favor of good grade stallions also being granted certificates. There was a strong feeling that something should be done. It was found 'that a great many stallions are being registered in some French Canadian book. As far as we can find out any light stallion can be 'registered for about $20. RUSSELL. Russell township is well stocked with stallions, and there are some ex- cellent imported Clydesdales among them, while there are good ones among other breeds and all are sound. Twelve out of the nineteen are imported Clydesdales. The rest comprise a grade Clydesdale, a grade Shire, two grade Standard-breds, a grade Percheron and two French Canadian grades. There is one old horse; the rest are of a good breeding age. Service fees are $6 to $10. So far as the Inspectors could ascertain, there are very few good mares in Clarence township, and those seen were of a very poor type. As regards the stallions there are two Clydesdales, two Hackneys, a Standard-bred, and a French Canadian, all pure-bred, a French Canadian grade, and a grade of nondescript breeding. Besides these, a French Canadian grade stood for service last year, but died in August last. All are of good average con- formation, and all serviceably sound. One French Canadian grade stands for $3, and another grade for $4. With these exceptions fees run from $8 to $20. There are three unsound sires among the thirteen standing for ser- vice is Cambridge township, and all are grades of the following breeds : Clydesdale, five; French Canadian, four; Standard-bred, one; Arabian, one; Belgian, one; no particular breeding, one. In conformation they stand fairly good on the average. Three of them have not travelled as yet. The maximum service fee is $8, and the minimum $4. STALLIONS. a i j>> 2 a a • B-J "o 9 «2 «H O _rH hO ap C3 rrt ® S3 *- ODT3 33 ® Breeding. & jf-sf 2 1 * rS I*' Spa ci w ^ - S>.2 a >. 8 S3 > £ OH 1 > 0 fe =° ®£ d o> 3 O tc a? S3 > CD to ^ ' * 5 fc «d Clydesdales Imported 12 1,700 4 All.... Fairly good. 910 $10 Clydesdales Canadian-bred . 9 1 600 11 All Good 223 9 Grades Clvdesdale 6 1,480 7 5 Fairlv good. 250 7 Grades, Percheron, Shire and Belgian ( 1 Percheron ; 1 Shire ; 1 Belgian) 3 1,750 5 All.... Good. 238 7 Hackneys Imported 2 1,085 All.... Good 16 20 1 1,075 17 All .... Good 40 12 Grades, Roadster and Arabian (3 Roadsters ; 1 Arabian Grade) 4 1,050 4 AIL... Fairly good. 59 5 French-Canadian and Grades (1 French-Canadian ; 8 Grades) 9 1,210 7 8 Fairly good. 574 6 9 1,050 7 1 Fair 22 5 1 Totals... 41 , 2,332 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 105 Russell — Concluded . MARES. n on rj 2 2 rf£ g M ^ • .1 o> 4* Townships. "S ais'S Type. ^ 02 0< t«G SP |J.§'J 1'* M Russell. 1,374 Some Pure-bred Clydesdales ; 1,450 to 1,500 Light 1,150 Jroor 494 Poor Poor 464 Poor • Poor Total 2,332 MAKES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions. Total. Serviceably sound. Not serviceably sound. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. 0) «£ 0> > > O> 0 ££§, .«g ^8 a)--; > > *4 g 1 850 6 7 Good 570 * 9 10 Clvdesdales Canadian-bred IS 1 700 6 7 Fairly good . 904 9 Grades Clvdesdale 13 1,470 7 11 Fair 656 6 Shires and Percherons (1 Shire, 2 Percheronsl ? 1 800 4* 2 Good 240 10 Grade* Percheron 4 1,575 9A All Good 210 8 Belgians .... 3 1 975 7 2 Fair 295 9 Hackneys Imported i 1,200 4 All .... Good 75 10 Stand ard-breds Imported 4 1,225 4 3 Fairly good. 225 12 Roadsters Canadian-bred . 7 1 200 9 6 Fairly good. 374 .7 Orades, Roadster and Thoroughbred (6 Roadsters 1 Thoroughbred) 7 1,210 6 6 Fairly good . 263 9 Totals . 64 3,812 MARES. GO 00 £ G $5.9 -tT i^ 5~ a 6C • r-l Townships. -!i* Type. 0) 1 JM 3 o"S 0) T3 fl? 05 _, O> fl HP a £ e o 0?° O rjrQ.S -+J ff. & > £ ^ "2 Nepean 468 Some registered Clydesdales and Shires, balance agricul- • tural and light 1,200 Medium . North Gower 320 Mostly draught ; a few regis- tered heavy .... 1,200 Medium . Gloucester 472 Mostly light ; a few agricultural 1,100 Poor. Osgoode 257 Mostly light ; a few agricultural 1,100 Poor. Goulbourne 149 Draught, agricultural and light 1,200 Medium . Huntley 1 276 Draught 1,400 Good. March 170 Some Draught, General Purpose and Agricultural 1,250 to 1,300 Fair. Fitzroy 342 A few registered Clydesdales, Agricultural and General • Purpose 1,250 Fair. Citv of Ottawa 358 Total 3,812 108 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Carleton — Concluded. MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. STALLIONS. Total. Serviceably sound. Not serviceably sound. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. OS . f-< CD ££ Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. 1 • favor of stallions being licensed; none wished the matter left as it is. A resolution was passed that the grant be withheld from Agricultural Societies who gave prizes to grade stallions. RENFREW. In McNab township the Inspectors were unable to see two out of the eight stallions owned here. Of the six seen, one-third were not service- ably sound. They are equally divided into four pure-bred and four grades. To the former list belong a Standard-bred, two Clydesdales and a Percheron. To the latter just the same numbers of the same breeds. One Standard-bred had only recently been brought in. For the others the stud fees are $6, $7 and $10. Mares are general purpose and light in type, very few weigh- ing as much as 1,300 Ibs. There are four stallions in the town of Renfrew and in Horton town- ship adjoining. These are a pure-bred Clydesdale and Belgian, respectively, and a grade Standard-bred and a nondescript. All are sound and pretty good in conformation ; of those in service $8 to $10 are the fees. Not much can be said about the mares in this section. In Admaston township only one stallion .was inspected, a pure-bred Percheron, which stands for service at $5. In Westmeath the quality of the mares improves, and there are a num- ber of fair general purpose mares, as well as a few registered Clydesdales. There are the following sires in this township : two registered Standard- breds, a pure-bred Shire and two Percheron grades. One horse was sick and was not inspected. Three of the others were sound and two of them pretty good horses. Fees are about as usual in these townships, $6 to $8. Of the seven stallions owned. in the town of Pembroke and standing in Pembroke township, all but two are registered, and have fair average con- formation. Clydesdales are represented by a grade, and there is a grade French Canadian. The pure-breds are one Percheron, two Standard-breds and a French Canadian. The fee of the grade French Canadian is given as $2; others at $7, $10 and $25. 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 109 Renfrew — Continued. In Stafford, only one stallion was seen — a Percheron grade. Stallion owners in Wilberforce township travel two pure-bred and one grade Clydesdale, a pure-bred Shire, a grade Percheron, a grade Coach, and a horse of no particular breeding. The pure-breds and the grade Per- cheron and Coach grade have good conformation. One grade is not sound. Only one owner charges $10 fees; the rest charge from |5 to $6. Excepting a grade Clydesdale in Bromley township, which the In- spectors were unable to see, the four other sires are a Clydesdale, Shire, and Percheron, and a grade Clydesdale. They are of fair average conforma- tion. Two cannot qualify for soundness. The service fee is highest for the Shire, viz., $10, the others stand for $5 and $8. Two grade stallions, both of French Canadian breeding, one being a Percheron cross, serve in the township of Ross. Only one was seen by the Inspectors, and it was sound and of good conformation, standing for service - at $8, while the fee of the other was $5. Very few mares were met with that could be called good. They are of a light type and of no particular breeding. The best mares are sold to the lumbermen. The Inspectors state that in this country they saw some really good stallions, and if these are well patronized, the result should be a considerable improvement in the future. In the townships of Grattan, Hagarty, Ratcliffe and the districts adjoin- ing, but stationed principally at Eganville and Killaloe, there are seven- teen stallions, some of them quite good horses, and the majority of them serviceably sound. A number of them could not be seen by the Inspectors, but from reliable information furnished, those not seen work out a good average as regards conformation and also soundness. There is one syndi- cate horse. Clydesdales total three pure-breds and four grades; Shires, one pure-bred ; Percherons, one pure-bred and two grades ; Standard-breds, one pure-bred and two grades, and French Canadians three, two at least being grades. The maximum fee is $10, but the majority run from $8 down to $3, and in one case, anything between $1 and $3 is taken. The best mares seen were under 1,500 Ibs., but they are very few in number; the majority are of a light general purpose type and of no particular breeding. STALLIONS. Breeding . Number. .tT tc VJZ'O bf) 6c C |ll <3 Average age. Serviceably sound. c3 a OJ fH M«2 - 2^ § £ o.2 > o -3 •« Number of mares served . Average service fee. Clydesdales, Imported 6 1,730 7 5 Fairly good. 255 ftR Clydesdales, Canadian-bred 3 1,540 5 2 Fair 300 6 Grades, Clydesdale 10 1,630 7 Fair 789 5 Shires, Imported 4 1,785 7 All Good 377 8 Percherons 5 1,730 11 4 Good 489 8 Grades, Percheron 7 1,450 5 6 . .. Fair. . . . 260 4 Belgians . .... 1 2 100 6 All Good 86 10 Hackneys and Standard-breds, Im- ported (1 Hackney, 1 Standard- bred) 2 1 200 8 All Fair 76 12 Roadsters, Canadian-bred 5 1,090 9 4 Fair 85 4 Grades, Roadster 4 1,050 7 3 Fair 95 7 Grades, Coach . . . . : 1 1,500 15 All Good 80 g French Canadians 2 1,250 8* All Good 94 8 Grades, French Canadian 5 1,370 10 All Good 3?8 4 Grades, No Particular Breeding. . . . 2 1,375 9 AIL... Fair 141 5 Totals 57 3 4fi5 110 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Renfrew— Con eluded . MARES . Townships . Number oi mares brecl to stallions inspected in township. Type. -S „ .Sft TJ SDG Sg o> £ > » •< Average quality. \ McNab 656 Mixed .. s . . . 1 100 to 1 200 Horton & i Renfrew Town 152 Mixed 1 100 Admaston 93 Mixed 1 100 Poor Westmeath : .' 285 General Purpose, a few Regis- tered Clydesdales 1 200 Medium Pembroke 307 Mixed 1 100 Poor Stafford 30 Mixed .. 1 050 Poor Wilberforce 531 Mixed . . : 1 050 Poor Bromley 255 Mixed 1 050 Poor Ross 179 Mixed 1 100 Poor Grattan, Hagarty, Rad- cliff and adjoining Townships 967 Mixed, a few very good ones 1 100 Poor Total 3,455 . MARES BKED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions. Total. Serviceably sound. Not Serviceably sound. Number of stallions . Number of mares bred to. Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. o> §P . • i- O> £«£ «1 Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. CO IP 2 o3 £.8 •4 Registered Stallions. Grade Stallions 28 29 1,762 1,693 24 24 1,642 1,394 9 4 4 5 120 299 $ 6 5 Totals •57 3^455 48 3,036 9 419 The meeting for the county of Renfrew was held at Cobden on Novem- ber 6th, and was attended by about fifty men. Quite a number of those present dropped in from the village to see what was going on. About twenty men were horse raisers. All thought the draft horse the most profit- able for farmers to raise. After considerable discussion and questions, seventeen (about all the horsemen present), voted in favor of stallions being licensed. Some thought that first-class grade stallions should be licensed because they were superior to many imported ones. LANARK. Ramsay township runs almost exclusively to Clydesdale sires, there being two pure-bred and two grades of that breed to one pure-bred Stan- dard-bred. One of the h^avy ones is unsound; and the light sire and one of the grade Clydesdales have the best conformation. It seems a pity that 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. Lanark — Continued. a heavy horse of good conformation and sound only earns $3 in a service fee. The others earn $5 and $10. Bathurst township also favors heavy horses, as is evident when the stallion list is made up of three pure-bred and one grade Clydesdale, a Shire and a Percheron. They are all sound and rather above the average in conformation, one Clydesdale especially being marked as extra good. The fee for the grade is $5, for the others $8 in each instance. There are just four of the heavy and four of the light sires in Drum- mond township, with representatives of the following breeds : Clydesdales,, a puse-bred and a grade; a Shire, a Hackrey, a Percheron, a Standard-bred and a grade of that breeding and a grade Coach horse. It is satisfactory to find them all sound and also fairly good in conformation. Stud fees are somewhat higher than, in some of the adjoining townships. Beginning at $6 they go as high as $25. In North Emsley only one sire was inspected, a registered Canadian- bred Clydesdale, sound, and of fair conformation, standing for $8. This was also the case in Montague township — an imported Clydesdale, a good horse and sound, whose fee was $12. Three Standard-bred stallions are owned in the town of Smith's Falls, one being recorded and two grades. Two are getting on in years, and have seen their best days. One is unsound. Their fees are $6, $8, and $10 respectively. A pure-bred Clydesdale, and a grade each of Cleveland Bay and French Canadian blood, make up the trio of stallions in Beckwith township. Two-thirds of them are sound, but conformation is not very good. Five dollars and $8 are the fees charged. Standard-breds are evidently the favorites in the town; of Carleton Place, as there are three registered and two grade stallions of that breed there, the only other sire being a grade Hackney. Of the six, five are sound and of fair conformation. One horse has never stood for service, but the fees for the other five are from $5 to $15. STALLIONS, Breeding. Number. +*A O> _c ^ Sp so C ill •< Average age. 'Serviceably sound. Average con- formation. Number of mares served. ^ a-2 28 £> -*i Clydesdales, Imported f> 1,690 6 All. Fair to good 498 t 9 •Clydesdales, Canadian -bred 4 1,660 5 All. .. . Fair 285 g Grades, Clydesdale 4 1,475 8 3 Fair to good 224 5 Shires, Canadian-bred 2 1,750 6£ All. .. . Good. 200 8 Percherons 2 1,850 7 All. . Fairly good 300 10 Hackneys, Canaaian-bred and Hackney Grades (1 Hackney, 1 Grade) 2 1,200 8 All. . . . Fairly good 128 9 Standard-breds, Imported 8 1,130 10 2 Good 73 17 Roadsters, Canadian-bred O 1,115 12 All. . . . Fair 54 11 ( I nv IPS, Roadster .... 5 1 120 10 4 Pretty good 210 9 Grades, Coach 2 1,350 6£ 1 Fair 121 6 Grades, French Canadian 1 1,500 26 All . Fair , Totals S3 2 093 112 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Lanark — Concluded. MARES. to oc QJ p* - £ « ^ • -«_> 1-1 c? " OS Townships. O * 6C 2o> ££ 4 Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. o oo 5 oj o> o> t***-1 •^ Registered Stallions.. Grade Stallions Totals 20 13 1,468 625 19 10 1,441 470 $ 12 8 1 3 27 155 $ 10 5 33 2,093 29 1,911 4 182 The public meeting was held at Oarleton Place, on November 12. It was a lively meeting, with plenty of disciission. When requested to give their views on stallion inspection, 21 voted for a license for stallions, but they must be sound, registered animals, up to a certain standard of excel- lence. A good deal was said about the poor quality of many imported stal- lions. Those present asked that the Government use its influence with some of the horse importers to get them to bring a carload of imported mares and fillies to Carletarj Place for sale. They also asked the Government to give a liberal donation for prizes to be given at a spring show for stallions to be held at Carleton Place. An additional meeting was held in the town of Perth. Fourteen men, all interested in horse-breeding attended, and all took part in the discus- sions and expressed themselves as pleased with the work undertaken by the Department. Some thought it might be advisable to license for one year really good grade stallions, but only those that were good stock getters. Many objected to grades being licensed. After full discussion all voted in. favor of licensing all stallions that were sound and registered animals up to a certain standard of excellence. 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 113 SPECIAL REPORT OF INSPECTORS. The meetings were fairly well attended, but in many cases the bad weather and distance kept those who were interested from attending. At every meeting there was a strong feeling that something should be done; most of the breeders of good horses favored licensing stallions. "None but sound registered animals up to a certain standard of excellence to be li- censed," was the idea of the majority. We have seen horses in nearly all the Counties in Ontario and conversed with horsemen in those counties. Some districts have a better class of horses than others, but all over On- tario something requires to be done. In our conversation with horsemen met at Institutes during the last five years, many have favored licensing" stallions. It is our opinion that now is the time to go on; the people ex- pect that something more is to be done ; the best thing to do is a matter of opinion and there will be great differences in ideas. There are two points that must be kept in view, viz., enough stallions to serve mares, and how much regulation will the people tolerate. The idea of only having pure-bred stallions licensed is out of the question, because there are not nearly sufficient of them, and many imported ouvs :.' e n t deserving of a license. There must for several years be some grades per- mitted to travel, until there are enough pure-breds to take their place. After hearing many opinions, we think the following suggestion would find favor with a large majority of the horsemen : The cost of the license or permit, to be nominal, sufficient to cover the expense of inspection, etc. All horses to be free from hereditary UD soundness. Grant a first-class li- cense to registered stallions of good conformation and good action; a second- class license to registered stallions of fair conformation and fair action, and a third-class license to the grade stallions, types of some breeds, producers of useful colts (if old enough to have colts). We do not think it would be just to give the good and medium reg- istered horse the same class of license. There would be no education in doing so. These three grades of permits, or licenses will certainly take in every horse that any horseman would be justified in using. We are not in favor of second-class registered or grade horses, but the license would be for one year only, and the standard could be raised the second year, gradually getting rid of the most undesirable. Anything less than the above appears to us, not likely to give favor- able results. In some parts of Ontario the stallion fee is so much for the season. This is not fair to the owner of the mare — too one-sided a bargain. Let the owner of the mare pay half at time of service and the other half when the mare proves to be with foal. This method would prevent iriany barren or worn-out mares being bred, and would also prevent the stallion taking more mares than is reasonable for a fair percentage of foals. We would suggest that prizes for stallions and mares be offered at the Winter Fair at Guelph. Farmers are there from all over Ontario, and we consider it would be a grand opportunity for the Government to educate those who are anxious to learn about horses. We would also suggest that spring stallion shows be encouraged by giving liberal prizes at one show in each county (not in the same place each year), horses receiving Govern- ment money prizes at said shows must travel part of the season where the prizes were awarded. None to compete unless they will travel in said county, if they receive a prize. (Signed) W. F. KYDD. GEORGE GHAT. 8 H.B. DISTRICT NO. 8. Counties. — Glengarry, Dundas, Grenville, Leeds, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington and *Stormont. Inspectors. — Jas. Sinclair, V.S., Cannington; H. S. Arkell, B.S.A., O.A.C., Guelph, (Glengarry Jo Leeds); Arthur Thorn, Elma, (Frontenac to Addington). GLENGARRY. In Charlottenburg township there are three stallions, a Clydesdale, a Hackney and a Standard-bred, all registered and sound and fairly good in conformation. Two stand for $10 and one for $15 service fees. Mares are light in type and are an exceedingly poor lot, averaging 1,100 Ibs. This township is somewhat rough and the soil shallow. General purpose horses are in favor, and there are, practically, no heavy horses raised. There is very little system followed in breeding, and very few pure-bred mares in the township. Grade sires are not discriminated against. Light horses are mostly patronized. Carriage and general purpose horses, probably, suit the farmers here best. Kenyon township is well provided with sires of both heavy and light kinds; the breeds represented being Clydesdales, pure-breds, three; grades, two; Shires, pure-bred, one; Percherons, grades, two; Hackney, pure-bred, one; Coach grades, five; Standard-bred, pure-bred, one; and French Can- adians, grades, two. Out of the seventeen, four are unsound and the aver- age quality and conformation is only fair, only a few qualifying as good. Mares are light in type, of poor quality and average 1,100 Ibs. in weight. Service fees have a range from $5 to $10. Not much can be said in favor of the sires standing in Lochiel town- ship, but there is one very good horse. There is one grade, a Percheron, and six pure-breds, four Clydesdales, and two Standard-breds. Six- sevenths are sound. Their service fees vary from $5 to $15; mares are about the same as in the other townships. Of the four stallions in Lancaster township there is only one really fair pattern of a horse. Three are sound or practically so. Two, an imported Clydesdale and a Standard-bred, are registered, while a Suffolk Punch and a Coach are grades. The grades' fees are $6 and '$7, and the pure-breds, $10. Mares are small and poor, and there are very few registered Clydes- dale mares. * The County of Stormont was inspected by Geo. Gray, Newcastle, and A. R. Walsh, V.S., Perth. [114] 8a H.B. 1906 REPORT ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 115 Glengarry — Continued . STALLIONS . Breeding . Number. •*& 0) f-i Tj ^s gls, •4 d t o> 1 o> •4 Serviceably sound. Average conforma- tion. Number of mares served. OJ «s 0> 0 «'> tn t-c CD o> > 00 ^ Clydesdales, Imported 3 1,530 5 All Good 305 $ q Clydesdales, Canadian-bred 6 1,585 6 5 Fair 555 q Grades, Clvdesdale 2 1 400 4 1 Only fair 87 5 Shires. Imported 1 1,800 8 All Very fair.. . . 75 10 Grades, Percheron 3 1,400 6 1 Fair 253 5 Grades, Suffolk Punch 1 1 400 4 All Fair 92 8 Hacknevs, Imported 2 1,400 6 All Good 215 10 Standard-breds, Imported and Roadsters, Canadian-bred (4 Im- ported, 1 Roadster) 5 1 210 11 All Fair. . . 194 11 Grades, Coach 6 1,325 8 4 Fair 400 6 Grades, French Canadian 2 1,325 7 1. . . Poor.. 180 6 Totals 31 2,356 - MARES . || •u §S G 'M -4-i Townships . •8*1 4 Type. 1» 3 1 t_ ^ OK Oi "O 9 60C W) •S'g && £ 3 £ , . Ift > 1 Charlottenburg 210 LiHht 1,100 Poor .... Kenvon .... 1 215 Light 1,100 Poor .... Lochiel 579 Li^ht 1,100 Poor .... Lancaster 352 Light . ... 1,200 Poor .... Total 2,356 • , MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions . Total. Serviceably sound. Not serviceably sound . Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. S) o> >«*-! Average age . Winchester 1,586 Poor 1 100 Fai» 10 Mountain 288 Not very good 1 050 Poor 10 Matilda 415 Poor 1 000 Poor 10 Williamsburg 92 Poor 1 050 Fair 10 Total 2,381 MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Total. Serviceably sound . Not serviceably sound . Stallions. «<-i CO 0 fl *o d *o 2 o o' "o <" o X t-> O f-< CO *" *H § «3 °° "IJ 03 t-i o H CD -2 Jjs Jo 2^3 -Si3 «P • II ,£3 S'g 2. n co 3 S.S j3 ad fjal £>J ll 1 a£ 03 03 03 to fc to , rt £ a 'X Pi 0 **" Breeding. l U> s-. ?s "a fi £ o 2 •, u -3 >- OQ T3 S££ -"' Oj (H S S m SfE — CJ > 00 fe ^ ^ CO ^ ^ <1 Clydesdales, Imported 3 1,550 6 1 Fair ... 204 $ 9 Grades, Clydesdale 9 1,345 5 6 Fair 621 7 Shires Imported 2 1,800 All .... •Pretty fair 204 10 Grades, Percheron and Hackney (1 Percheron, 2 Hackneys) 3 1,240 14 2 Fair 218 8 Standard-breds, Imported 2 1,075 13 1 Onlv Fair 125 10 Roadsters, Canadian-bred 1 1,100 15 All .... Fair 76 8 Grades, Roadster 12 1,020 5 5 Only juet fair 212 8 German Coach Horses, Cleveland Bavs and Grades (1 German Coach, 1 Cleveland Bay, 1 grade1) 3 1,375 9 2 Fair 210 q Grade? French Canadian. 4 1,325 8 1 Onlv fair 292 g Totals 39 2 162 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 121 Grcit ril/e — Concluded. MARES. OD !H O *i >^ all -9 i-i w • !§> 1 Townships. M-< QD "^ f-H Type. 8P *" -£• ^ 'CE d 60 r»n rt fl 03 Is o 1" £~ <~ 1 $ Registered Stallions . 10 784 6 496 9 4 288 10 Grade Stallions 29 1,378 15 708 9 14 670 7 Totals 39 2,162 21 1,204 18 958 The public meeting for Grenville county was held at Kemptville on October 25th. The thirty or more persons present were practically all per- sonally interested in horse breeding, and the discussions of the various questions were very good. The following resolution was moved and sec- onded, and received nearly the unanimous support of those present : "That all stallions standing for service should be registered as sound, and of good conformation after having passed a rigid inspection." LEEDS. Only one pure-bred stallion, aa imported Clydesdale, was seen m Elizabethtown township. The rest were grades of Clydesdale, Shire, Per- cheron, and Roadster blood, one each of the first three and two of the last. None of them are good, and three only of the six are sound. Under the ciicumstances, the fees of $8 in one case and $10 in the others are fairly good. The township of Rear of Youge is a very poor section, and the horses are equally so. There is only one stallion here, a grade Percheron, sound, which stands for a fee of $8. In the township of Front of Tonge, there is, besides one not inspected, also a grade sire of Roadster breeding, and for which a very small fee is charged. 122 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Leeds — Continued. In Escott township farmers are trying to improve their horse stock somewhat. There was inspected here, only one stallion, a pure-bred Per- cheron, sound and of fair conformation. Its service fee is $12. Bastard township contains a registered Standard-bred, a Eoadster grade, and a French grade, only one of these three being sound, and none of them of much merit. Five dollars, nine, and ten, are the stud fees charged. The five stallions whose routes are in North Crosby, are located in or near Westport, and comprise a Percheron and a grade and two Standard- breds and a grade. One of the Stan dard-breds is described as a very good horse, and two others ha^e fair conformation. Only two-thirds of them, however, are sound. The maximum fee is $12 and minimum $8. Mares are, as is the rule in this and some of the adjoining counties, poor in qual- ity and of a light type, about 1,000 Ibs. A pure-bred Clydesdale, of very good conformation, and a French grade, represent the sires seen in South Crosby. The first named is. sound, the owner of the latter was away, and the horse was not seen outside of his stable. The pure-bred stands at $10. There are a great many poor, blem- ished mares in this section. Out of the four stallions in Leeds township, two of which are Roadster grades, one an imported Coach, and the other a French grade, only two are sound. One of the Roadsters has the best conformation, the others are just fair. The fee for the Coach horse is $20; other fees are $8 and $10. Mares are a little improvement on those in the rear, as farmers here are giv- ing more consideration to subjects relating to horse-breeding. There is, however, plenty of room for further improvement. There are six stallions in the township of Lansdowne, but only two of these were inspected, these being a pure-bred Clydesdale and a grade Per- cheron. The former is aged. One of them is unsound. The grade has the bigger stud fee $8. That of the other is $7. STALLIONS. Breeding. Number. ^r OD & g S3 < Serviceably sound. Average con- formation. Number of mares served. L. o> <*> QJ CD > •< Clydesdales, Imported 2 1,500 13 1 Fair 157 $ 8 Clydesdales, Canadian-bred 1 1,650 All Very good 85 10 Grades, Clydesdale and Shire (1 Clvdesdale, 1 Shire) 2 1 350 5 Only fair 110 9 Percherons ?, 1 675 5* 1 Fair.. 178 12 Grades, Percheron 4 1 400 7 3 Poor . 152 9 Standard-breds Imported 3 1,055 9 2 Fair <>04 10 Grades, Roadster 7 1,045 7 5 Rather good. 244 8 French Coach Horses 1 1,175 3 All .... Fair 20 Grades, French -Canadian 3 1,380 6 2 Fair 36 5 Unenumerated 5 Totals 30 1,166 1906 ON HORSE BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 123 Leeds — Continue MARES. 11 -4-T . S^.S U> 2 n . . i ,-* '3 % . :- 05 d> o> > ta 03 . !-> 0) 1 03 rQ ° § a o> §>•§ a S3 g § '> 0 o> o.s S-1 £ > 3 O on > OJ « ** 4 03 •^ F <1 Clydesdales, Imported and Cana- $ dian-bred (1 Imported, 4 Cana- dian-bred) 5 1,560 7 4 Fair 407 10 Grades, Clvdesdale 3 1,380 5 1 Poor . . . 141 q Grades, Shire 2 1,250 4 Poor 99 5 Percherons 1 1,650 3* 1 Fair 66 15 Hacknevs, Imported and Grades (1 Hackney, 1 Grade) 2 1,150 10 All Fair 97 10 Standard-breds, Imported and Roadsters, Canadian-bred (2 Im- ported, 1 Canadiai"bred) - 3 1,110 9 1 Fair ... 152 11 Grades, Roadster 6 1,100 8 2 Fair 253 q French Coach Horses and Grades (1 French Coach, 1 Grade) 2 , 1,250 4 All .... Fair 68 12 Grades, French -Canadian 4 1,150 11 1 Fair 229 6 Unenurnerated 3 Totals 32 1 512 MARES. CO 22 , p « — 1 ._ £ £ 93- . top ?3 •M •'9 A Q rj »-n Townships. °o^2 ^ •** «T3 Type. o-S ills l?§ bO 2 | g^«3 !& e V X, •^ < Kingston 358 Light 1 000 Poor 10 Pittsburg 137 Light 1 000 Poor 10 Loughborough 181 Light 900 Poor 10 Storrington 81 Light 1 000 Poor 10 Portland 240 Light 900 Poor 10 Wolfe Island 46 Light. 900 Very inferior 10 Bedford 112 Light 1 050 Poor 10 Oso 106 Light I'ooo Poor 11 Olden 60 Light 1 000 Poor 10 Kenebec 51 Light . 900 Poor 1° Hinchinbrooke 140 Light 900 Poor . . . 1° Total 1,512 126 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Frontenac — Concluded. MARES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Total. Serviceably Bound. Not serviceably sound. Stallions . og |>.2 **H 0 0 » S"^ f-< O Is* o> fe.2 Is5' (V 6C cS . a .2 a § *•• a -S ri 03 5^ ^ v o> ai gj a a 8 0> O) 3 OB ^ W r^ p OQ J^ M '^ to to to to •< to to > & Breeding. 1 ^J- 03 1| Pd n «£TJ O y 'C'E g s O L» 2 > !> CM £ I > OB fe ^ .^ a fc Clydesdales, Imported and Can- adian-bred (1 Imported, 4 Can- $ adian-bred ) 5 1,600 8 3. Fair 455 12 Grades, Clydesdale 15 1,350 6 7 Not even fair 734 6 Shires, Imported and Percherons (1 Shire, 4 Percherons) 5 1 800 7 2 Just fair 511 14 Hackneys, Imported and Grades (1 Hackney, 1 Grade) 2 1,175 g 1 Good 117 10 Standard-breds, Imported 2 1,075 11 1 Only fair . 130 Grades, Roadster 13 1,055 y o Fair . . . 361 s Thoroughbreds 2 1,050 11 Fair 12 10 English Coach Horses and Grades (1 English Coach, 1 Grade) 2 1,350 14 1 Fair 141 8 Grades, no particular breeding. . . . 1 800 24 Poor tJnenumferated 2 Totals 49 9 461 128 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Lennox and Addington — Concluded. MARES. Townships. Number of mares bred to stallions in township. Type. -*-T 6C '53 ** h Q? o >"-! Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to. 0> 5 each registered animal; and which could be ob- tained on application, would furnish useful information to the horsemen of the various districts. We think further that actual breeders should be pro- tected against misrepresentation on the part of stallion owners in their being compelled to publish true statements of the breeding of their horses, together with the Government registration certificate on all advertising matter used by them. Breeders have been the victims of much fraud on the part of unscrupulous grooms, and should be protected against such misrepresen- tation. There might further be an advanced registry for superior stallions of approved merit and breeding, and the question of bonusing such stallions as would qualify might not be unwisely considered. We think, moreover, that the benefit of such an Act might be supplemented by the issuing of an up-to-date bulletin giving information not only as touching breeds and breeding, but as well upon markets, types, and classification of horses gen- erally. As regards syndicating, where a small syndicate of three, four or six persons, agree among themselves to buy a horse and go to a good reliable importer, we found this system to work all right. We asked for suggestions as to how to overcome the evil of syndicating stallions, but got no satisfac- tory answers. In our opinioij the people are not educated, or rather are not good enough judges, to buy on their own judgment. Education is the most needful thing. This we think, can be partially done through the Farmers' Institutes, and through the employment of good men as judges at Agricul- tural Fairs. • The farmers as a rule, are not particular enough about breeding good mares. A great majority sell the good mares and breed the infirm and blemished ones, and also those unsound from disease* that are transmissable. This class of mares bred to a cheap, unsound, short-bred, nondescript stal- lion cannot help but produce poor offspring. If the breeders and farmers could only be taught to breed so that each succeeding cross would be one better than the previous, we would soon have a much better class of horse? in Canada. (Signed) JAS. SINCLAIR. H. S. ARKELL. 1M6 ON HORSK BREEDING IN ONTARIO. 131 *STOEMONT. The general run of mares here were found to be of a light type and of very inferior quality. The majority of the sires are of the lighter kinds, but there is a fair sprinkling of heavy sires in every township except Osna- bruck. In Cornwall township there are seven stallions, all but one having their headquarters in the town of Cornwall. One is a registered Cljdesdale, another a Percheron, and there are two Standard-breds, (one of which was not seen owing to the owner's absence), and three French grades, two of which are not used for service. For the other French grade, the fee is $5. while for the pure-breds it is $10. One of those used for service is unsound. All the stallions in Osnabruck township are grades, and the breeding is as follows: Standard-breds, six; French Canadians, three. One of the former is unsound, and the average conformation is deficient. Fees are very low, being $4, $5, and $6. There are six stallions in Roxborough township, but one of these ap- pears among the horses in Glengarry. Of the remaining five one is a regis- tered Clydesdale and one grade. There is one pure-bred Percheron and one grade, and there is also a French grade. Four are sound, but average conformation is only fairly good. The fees varj from $4 to Five grades of tStandard-bred, Clydesdale, Percheron, and French Can- adian breeding stand in Finch township, there being two of the first, and one each of the other three. Besides these there was another stallion which died recently. Another stallion has not done any service. There are two unsound horses and average conformation is only fairly good. $5 and $6 represent the service fees. STALLIONS. Breeding.. Number. *3~J2 0> J313 M> SJQ d 2 '3 S £§a £ £ « rs D £> > on < Clvdesdales, Imported 2 1,675 6i All.. Fairly good 156 $ 10 (•traces Clydesdale 2 1,550 6 ,A1I Good 74 6 Peroherons 2 1,775 5} All... Fairlv good 203 10 Grades Percheron . . . 2 1,350 7 1 Only fair 107 R Standard-bredff, Imported, and Grades (1 Pure-bred 9 Grades) . 10 1,030 6 8.. Just fair 239 7 Grades, French Canadian 7 1,235 6 5 Fair 418 5 Unenumerated . 1 Total • 26 1 197 * This county was inspected by George Gray, Newcastle, and A. R. Walsh, V.S., Perth. 132 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Stormon t — Concluded. MAKES . Townships . Number of mares bred to stallions inspected in township. Type. cr Cornwall 281 Light . . Inferior Osnabruck 314 Light . . . Inferior Roxborough 420 Light Inferior . Finch 182 Light Inferior . Total 1,197 MAKES BRED TO DIFFERENT CLASSES OF STALLIONS. Stallions. Registered Stallions.. Grade Stallions Unenumerated Totals . Total. Serviceably sound . Not serviceably sound . Number of stallions. Number of mares bred to . Number of stallions . Number of mares bred to. o> 8P • s <» ^-S <_ Number of stallions . Number of mares bred to. •~ o> ££ -> o £i 13 J3 03 £ 00 § a o Li ll II • fc •gg II 35 g OE to CD £ 03 a o J-s a£ 1-° to 11 £••* Q3 rj 33 to m £ a a "o 3* a£ §.0 to 11 |.2 11 ^ 03 ft c3 a *o 1-2 §£ to Bruce 50 18 29 18 16 68 36 43 8 6 16 74 17 15 86 20 48 53 10 19 6 8 99 41 28 47 104 78 12 28 44 11 18 24 81 5 45 12 46 28 94 106 4,563 1,270 1,860 1,604 1,509 3,909 2,728 2,775 466 496 1,219 5,892 1,452 986 7,492 1,429 3,469 5,096 716 1,441 454 598 7,287 2,216 1,547 2,734 4,397 6,125 717 1,572 2,073 679 1,304 1,642 5,991 384 1,975 859 2,016 1,262 7,112 4,793 16 1 11 1,408 18 16 21 9 9- 12 15 11 9 15 8 21 26 12 14 32 18 27 13 10 10 15 21 29 26 28 7 13 18 21 17 34 20 24 29 15 16 15 10 18 25 13 1,162 691 1,036 403 412 350 834 305 375 708 652 1,290 1,318 708 619 1,709 1,118 1,469 495 470 262 642 1,087 1,522 1,122 1,359 399 641 790 820 554 1,298 999 1,394 1,413 477 421 534 468 1,091 997 788 4 7 3 1 4 2 1 237 233 93 35 275 33 65 Brant Carleton 823 Dufferin . . Dundas 2 13 185 262 *Durham Essex Elgin r 4 4 1 15 2 6 12 6 4 70 260 288 125 1,403 227 230 1,112 248 204 Frontenac 11 14 6 6 3 1 2 6 1 411 670 360 272 163 35 235 206 25 Grenville Glengarry Grey Haldimand Halton Huron Hastings Kent Lambton Lincoln 1 1 3 8 40 27 170 586 Lanark 3 6 16 1 4 4 7 155 280 635 25 265 102 98 *Leeds • *Lennox & Addington . Middlesex Norfolk Northumberland 4 360 Oxford . . Ontario 2 179 Perth 4 9 9 141 356 204 Prince Edward 3 4 4 i49 168 331 Peterborough Peel Prescott 2 3 5 2 5 2 85 29 299 65 336 135 Russell Renfrew 4 8 120 624 Simcoe *Stormont * Victoria 7 1 4 2 10 5 337 50 340 9 520 370 Welland Waterloo Wentworth 2 7 1 128 325 116 Wellington *York Totals 1,615 108,109 169 11,225 740 35,202 163 7,127 Unenumerated . — Durham, 4 ; Leeds, 5 ; Lennox and Addington, 2 ; Stormont, 1 ; Victoria 8 • York, 9. 134 REPORT OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATION No. 65 Summary for the Province showing by Counties the per cent, of "ser- viceably sound" and also "not serviceably sound" registered and grade stallions and the per cent, of mares bred to them. Name of County. Registered stallions serviceably sound. Registered stallions not serviceably sound . Grade stallions eerviceably sound. Grade stal- lion? not serviceably sound. BO £ a g ^2 ~ 3.2 c~ QJ^3 a; i< 0^5 ° £ !' 1"° P-l PH -j . 02 • a "e ° t-l »r- 1 8=3 i1 GO £ OJ ft o 02 f£ £ *o Q£ tij QJ — '" PH R | 1 "S QJ 'O o g 1* OH 16 31 27 17 7 20 23 10 25 33 28 14 42 36 7 47 23 22 22 40 26 23 13 38 36 33 8 9 39 30 19 63 43 40 17 40 15 37 16 44 11 13 "o o3 d ^ %* s 08 S "o •M! c • 0> fe- ll 11 S ->•> •o^ paiq sSSillSS'iSSilSi eo i S8JBUI jo jaqmn^j- OS OS •* 1-1 OGO'MrH rf CO rH r^ CO E 9 H •8UOIIIB3S jo jaqum^j rH i— I W ri CO oo 55 >> ZS 8SRJ8Ay ^^ 0000^500 oo 00 CD t^ t^ oo oj C , eervicea sound. •• rH IO IO i-H I— i t^ l^ of > •o? pajq CO ^f* OO t^- O^ lO CO rH OS ^i* CO coioccooscoccco cccooo OCOIMCO OOCCO COCOrH (N S .0 si O> O jo jaquin^ C-l rH N I-H OO" CO TjTrH co £ CD OQ •r»UOI|[BJS CM " CN COCON o >> 1 a^BiaAy c^Oi OO-'rHOSlO 1 QD c Ji £ s CD O 88JBUI -*1 • • IO co" _o 03 00 5O 1-H • • IM I-H CO (N 5 00 O S jo jaqmusj; 8 .0 c S i •aaj a.uAjas aSBjaAy .S rg >, •o^ pajq 88JBUI 2o«g : :£££ ;::::§ rH OS iO 03 C 03 I § I— 1 . . ._ . •-D" (M O '> •suoiireis co 5* $ jojaquinN : : : * : : : S •aaj aoiAjad a^BjaAy 1 . •QI pajq CO oe C p o> O eo I-H I-H i— i ...... oo" .2 1 03 o o H 'SUOUJ'KJS jo jaquin^j CO CO -* •* rH t^ CO t^ rH • . rH • • • •* -H rH ?) I-H I-H "3 T3 •aaj aoiAjas ^I-H CMJ^C^rHCOI'COrHOCO'M eo 0 S aSB.i8Ay a. 1' ' >> 3 • CO CM -H QQ — - CO CO t>- O1 IO ^* rH oo rH ~r 1 •8UOI|{B^S jo jaqranjsj OO iO O rH rH (N (N 00 rH I-H" -oT :::::: ^ • c • w JH Q> *^i r^ !• 5"o 13 ^ " (? 'rOjcOo'~>Q*'c^S S m Q-^! c1^ ^ ^^.rl".r^m i 1 3 2 '3 a) I I 3 f T3 I S H 1 I THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW AN INITIAL FINE OF 25 CENTS WILL BE ASSESSED FOR FAILURE TO RETURN THIS BOOK ON THE DATE DUE. THE PENALTY WILL INCREASE TO SO CENTS ON THE FOUR! DAY AND TO $1.OO ON THE SEVENTH DAY OVERDUE. OCT2M967 COUNTY REPOP jp Brant ...1 Bruce .-•••.' Carleton \ Dufferin Dundas . Durham Elgin '» Essex ••••m FrontenaciiV; Glengarry , Grenville •* Grey 9 F AGRICULTURE OF CALIFORNIA 129 69 58 46 69 101 46 24 113 PAGE. 44 9 37 1 97 .... 81 34 71 59 89 102 99 108 104 Haldimanc^ Halton ..JS Hastings > Huron ...B Kent • Lambton \ Lanark . . m Leeds • Lennox ar v- DISTRICTS, ('<>' DISTRICT REPO^; District 1 1 District 2 9 District 3 i District 4 s| INSPECTORS, N| UBRARY, COLLEGE c o, UNIVERSITY INSPECTORS, oiaB Arkell, H.^.,^B " • Boag, John A 73 131 91 61 42 63 28 78 P'J .. 7 PAGE. 83 101 113 • 129 7 , DAVIS 5m-9, '39 (1359s) PAGE. Irving, Jas 1^ Jones, Wm Kydd, W. F Bright, John Cain, Wm., V.S Christie, Peter, M.P Clarke J. G Mossip, Wm :••- McMillan, Thos Reed, H. G., V.S Gardhouse, John Sinclair, Jas., V.S Qini'fVi Wm ^4 Graham, J.D 5 T-vrTirvniTrTiON PUBLIC MEETINGS, PLACES AND DATES OF SUMShJwTng number of each class of stallions in each County Showing percentage of each class of stallions m each Counts Showing number of each breed m the Province [136] Pressboard Pamphlet Binder Gaylord Bros., Inc. Makers Stockton. Calif. PAT. JAN. 21. 1908 35456 SF290 Ontario. DC Pt. Of C2 agriculti re. 06 Report oi ' the snecia] investipati on on horse b-pftfiding ir . Ontario, 1906. ./ LIBRARY, COLLEGE OI1 AGRICULTURE, DAVIS UNIVERSITY OP OALITORNIA