OUR ISLAND STORY

THE TWELFTH CHAPTER

Improvement of Agricultural Conditions and Early Importa- ‘

tion and Improvement of Live Stock

If Prince Edward-Island may now be named “The Garden of the Gulf,” if it be widely known as “The Million. Acre Farm,” to

which the seedsmen and breeders of the neighboring continent of ' North America resort for seeds and breeds of the best quality avail- able, the fact is due not only to the warmth and fertility of its soil, but also to the enterprise and good judgment of leading men in “ye olden time.”

The records of the Island prove that horses of the most approved kinds were imported as early as the year1824. In that year a Suffolk Punch herse, called “The True Briton,” was brought to King’s County by Mr. Llewellyn, and performed good service for the farmers there. Then “Rencevalles,” a first class thoroughbred, arrived-in Charlotte- toWn, and became celebrated as the progenitor of excellent horses.

He was bred by the Duke of Richmond, and was accompanied by a,

mare named “Roulette,” of the same breed. On their arrival, the following notice appeared in The Register, of which Mr. James D. HasZard was editor and proprietor.

“On Saturday last were safely landed from ‘The Carren, from '

London, a horse and a mare, sent out by Lieut. ‘Governor Ready.

The horse ‘Rencevalles,’ is a thoroughbred, and one of the best blood _

in England. He is allowed by all judges to be a perfect model of strength and symmetry. He has been a very successful racer and has got remarkably fine stoCk 1n England. The mare ‘Roulette, is also highly spoken of by the best judges.”

The progeny of these horses supplied the foundation strains for many of the noted horses afterWards produced 1n this Island. In 1827 a thoroughbred named “Wanton,” bred by Lord Egmont, and in 1853

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