from purchasers, although it is known that I retain the best of
each year's produce, and so have greatly improved my breeding
stock.

"You speak of the opinions of the press as against you. The
sporting press are not breeders, but are the mouthpiece of
prejudices. We have had them somewhat against us, but they now
view things in more friendly tone.

"For immediate use in running races (in which the sporting press
are chiefly interested), the Arabian in his undeveloped state
and under size will not compete with the English race horse.
This fact has caused racing men to doubt his other many and more
important merits; indeed, it is only those who have had personal
experience of him that as yet acknowledge them.

"The strong points in the Arabian are many:

"_First_, his undoubted soundness in constitution, in _wind_,
_limb_, and _feet_. It will be noticed that the Englishman must
have soundness in wind, limb, and feet, showing that their
thoroughbred is the thorn in that particular. The Arabian has
also wonderful intelligence, great beauty, and good disposition,
with an almost affectionate desire to adapt himself to your
wishes.

"In breeding, I have found the pure-breds delicate during the
first few weeks after birth, and have lost a good many,
especially those foaled early in the year; yet it is a
remarkable fact that during the eight years of my breeding them,