The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1886-06-02
BREEDING HORSES.
The Most Profitable Industry In 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 S2l
and COWS Of the same age 1927, three
year-old horses are worth $71 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 good yearling colt sold for 500,
when yearling heifer brought only
$40, and that the one cost no more than
the other except for the service of the
sire, which was 1926. 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 greater profit in keeping
colts until they are mature and train
ing them carefully and well, and then
pet three times the above amount for
them. which is not difficult to be done.
From close figuring we have found that
a fairly good ordinary colt can be
reared the first wear for S25, the second
wear for the same and the third year
i Tor S3O-in all $50. At that age the
animal may be completely trained to
work, and IL it is sold for no more than
S16O, the profit is one hundred per
Ger 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.
Il is needless to comment upon this
statement, for we doubt not it will be
accented as the plain, unvarnished
truth by our readers. But we NAV be
hardened for saving few words as to
the future prosnect for a regular bust.
ness of breeding horses upon farms.
It is a special business, and it may be
feared that the supply NAV overrun the
demand If a large number of farmers
should 90 into 1t. This, however, is
altogether improbable and, so far al
experience of the past goes, wholly
impossible. It takes three wears tc
rear horse for work. Under oul
present high-pressure system a large
humber of horses are worn out in three
7 years. There are about 10000 horse.
IN the city of New York car stable.
alone. which REQUIRE to be replaced
every three wears. 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 of business and othel
horses which are not worked so hare
and have a longer life. This is a dror
10 the bucket as compared with thu
needs of the whole country. Ever,
railroad built, and every additiona
train of FREIGHT cars nut on existing
roads call for more horses at each end
The demand is indeed unsuitable
Thousands of farmers never do, ant
never will. rear their own horses, ant
all these are eager purchasers of fresl
stock. A neighbor who reccntl,
bought a good horse for $275 told m,
it was the third in eight years; this il