The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-06-05
BREEDING HORSES.
The Most Profitable Industry IA Which
Farmers Can Engage.


Farmers Can Engage.
The figures given in late report
upon live stock in regard to the values
of horses, mules and cattle are well
worth the study of all those farmers
who are concerned in the profitable
management of their farms From this
report we learn that whereas cattle at
three years old average value of S21
and COWS of the same age $27, three
year-old horses are worth ST. and
mules of the same age about $50. All
farmers know that this relative differ
ence in value exists, but it is doubtful
if they give much consideration to the
fact We have frequently called atten-
ton to the profit there is in rearing
colts and have had a lively regard for
this kind of stock since the time when
we discovered, by pleasing experience.
that a good yearling colt sold for $780,,
when a yearling heifer brought only
$40, and that the one cost no more than
the other except for the service of the
sire, which was S25. For ordinary
farm stock these figures may be halved
and will then amount to the
usual prices at which these animals
are readily salable. But we do not
wish to be understood as encouraging
the sale of such young animals. On
the contrary, we desire to show that
there is q greater profit in keeping
colts until they are mature and train
ing them carefully and well, and then
get three times the above amount for
them, which is not difficult to be DONE.
From close figuring we have found that
fairly good ordinary colt can be
reared the first year for S25, the second
year for the same and the third year
for S30-in all $50. At that age the
animal may be completely trained to
work, and if it is sold for no more than
$50, the profit is one hundred per-
Fer cent. on each years cost. A three
year-old cow or steer can not be reared
for much less and would sell for about
$40 to $50 at ordinary prices. If the
cost of rearing were but half this there
would be far less profit in the animal.
1t is needless to comment upon this
statement, for we doubt not it will be
accepted as the plain, unvarnished
truth byour readers. But we may be
pardoned for saying few words as to
the future prospect for a regular bust
ness of breeding horses upon farms.
It is special business, and it may be
feared that the supply may overrun the
demand if a large number of farmers
should go into it. This, however, is
altogether improbable and, so far as
experience of the past goes, wholly
impossible. 1t takes three years to
rear horse for work. Under our
present high-pressure system large
number of horses are worn out in three
years. There are about 10000 horses
in the city of New York car stables
alone, which require to be replaced
every three years. We doubt very
much if this number is not too small,
and this is only to replace the present
supply and has no reference to the
enormous growth CT business and other
horses which are not worked so hard
| and have longer life. This is a drop
in the bucket as compared with the
needs Of tie whole country. Every
railroGd built, and every additional
trein 81 freight cars put on existing
rogss call for more horses at each end,
Tie demand is indeed Unsuitable.
Thousands of farmers never do, and
never will, rear their own horses, and
all these are eager purchasers of fresh
stock. A neighbor who recently
bought good horse for S275 told me
it was the third in eight years; this is
an outlay of more than 800 yearly for
| horsefesh, and it is merely sample of
what is doing constantly every day in
the year all over the country. More
over, change in the habits of the
American people simpending. Riding
is being found a cheaper way of pre-
serving health than paying doctors and
buying drugs. The saddle is becoming
popular and American ladies are adopt
ing the more athletic and healthful
habits of their English sisters, and a
saddle horse is kept in the suburban
home where it was never thought of
before. This pleasing recreation will
become popular and will stay SO. AL
ready there is call for trained saddle
horses far ahead of the supply, and it
is only the beginning of it. There
never was yet known in history sur
plus of horses, and there never will be.
Horses are the most profitable of farm
stock to the breeder, and with the de-
mand in sight and the plain scarcity of
these animals, and the profit of them,
there is no more certainly remunera-
tive, easy and pleasant business for the
farmer, who has the will and the tact
for it, than this.-Henry Stewart, IN N.
Y Times