The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-06-06

tied this country in 1880 and 1881, making
a thorough study Of our breeding interests
and resources, and afterward made an ex-
haustive report. But even he, though de-
cidedly inclined to view things favorably,
failed 70 find anything to recommend.
These periodical exploring EXPEDITIONS, as
| they might be called, on the part OF the
| French army authorities show how thor
oughly the government there looks after its
| equine material, for, as | said before. no
where else in the world is the horse-breed-
ing industry so thoroughly looked after.
How well this is done may be judged from
the last annual report of N. de Cormette, the
director genTal of the French haras or
| government stud which Is before me. On
Jan. l there were in tie twenty two depots
belonging to the state 2,505 stations, Of
which l9l, or z. 81 per cent, were thorough
breds; l24, or 4. % per cent, Arabs; l34, or
5.35 per cent, Anglo Arabs; /, IA, or 90. 90
per cent. half breds, and 3l2, or 1916 per
cent, heavy draught horses. OF these
stations, all but fifty were in use, and they
served in 652 stations lis, 244 mares, Civ
ing general average of forty eight mares
to each, though cart sires averaged as high
as sixty-six and thoroughbreds and Arabs
as low as thirty-nine. These stations it.
must be remembered are owned by the
government and are free from hereditary
or immediate affections of wind or limb.
The total produce of covering fees was
Sl5S, los, which gave an average of little
more than 81 25 per service. In no case
does the fee even for thoroughbred sires
exceed Sc co. and in many cases it is less
than so cents.
Allowing that the proportion of births
to mares covered is 80 per cent, it will be
found that there was total of lie, 900 foals,
the produce of parents to which a certain
degree of soundness attaches, for the direc-
of ho n II Of
to reject mares laboring under any serious
defect.
How poorly does the inactivity of this
country compare with the sagacious policy
and energy of other countries, and yet how
much could we produce for little or nothing
II we only put our minds to ita In foreign
countries, where nearly every inch of soil
is under cultivation, land, of course, is high.
In this country the government still owns
vast tracts of land suitable for grazing
purposes in Colorado, Montana, Arizona,
Dakota, Nebraska, and other states and
territories of the great northwest. The
native horses ara small, but tough, hardy,
thoroughly acclimated, and capable of en-
during all the draWbacks of hard work, lit
tie feeding and no care. Sound mares OF
this type could be picked up at an average
| OF SIS piece; ~ 900 mares wonld be enougn
to start on. 70 get the desired produce,
thoroughbred sires should be used. Now
these could be secured at an average of $50.
For stallion of this kind speed would not
be the highest desideratum. Endurance,
weight, carrying ability, and what is
called "stout blood" are the prime essentials.
Now in these racing days, when short races
are taking the place of the old-fashioned
ng-distanced events, where in consequence
the highest rate of speed is the sole requis-
lite, the old-fashioned American thorough
breds are becoming useless aud they can
be had cheaply. Then there is the army of
race horses which each year yield to the
exigencies of training or do not come up to
the requirements of a stable where owners
are glad to get rid of them at any price.
Every winter l have had scores of horses,
perfectly free from all hereditary affections
of soundness, offered to me at an average
of little more than Shopper head. For an
average of $3.50 per head the government
could get all the stations it needed. For
10000 mares $50 stations would be ample.
The cost thus would be but little more than
100000. Now add another 500 900 for the
purpose of establishing stations, equip
ments etc., and in four years time the gov
eminent would not only be able to remount
its entire service, but by natural increase,
would socn be able to sell its surplus, and
the proceeds thus obtained would almost
pay the entire running expenses of the
breeding stations. CHAs. VICTOR SASS.