The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-11-04

been dead loss to the farmers, as they
do not own all the horses, and horse
ia worth as much to work, no matter
how prices stand; but the cash loss has
been immense, as good many Yer
mont farmers can testify.
Various causes have been assigned TO
this sharp decline, bicycles and electric
cars coming in for their share OF the
blame. Hard times have prevented
many city people from buying horses
who otherwise would. But thinking
men are beginning TO ask what the fu-
ture will bring, and it certainly does
seem as though there was a change
coming, aud great one, too.
Every observing man knows that If
really good young horse is wanted he is
extremely hard to find, and when he is
found, especially if there is two of him
or her, we'll matched, a good price
must be paid. In fact, the demand for
certain kinds of horses has never
ceased. Dwarfs, runts and fourth-rate
or fifth-rate trotters are wanted by no
one at any price. A scrub horse lie worse
investment ethan scrub COW. But
what about the future? A great many
horses are needed on farm and in cities.
A great many horses die every year.
The supply has been almost entirely
cut off, and the inevitable result must
be paying prices in the near future for
desirable stock. 1t takes colt about
five years to get into good shape to use,
and within five years what shape will
the horse business be in?
Here is one straw. 1t used to take,
says the Ohio Farmer, quoting from
western paper, $4,000 horses year to
supply the demand of the horse-cars,
but last year we exported over $4,000
horses. The Farmer says: "The BIZ
cycle is not replacing as many horses as
imagined, by good deal. The bike is
used largely by young people who did
not own or keep horses. The 'horse-
less vehicle of practical utility is still
an anticipation, and the motor that can
take the place of the horse in the truck,
on the road, and on the farm, is re-
mote possibility. Civilization and bust
ness need the horse and must have it.
When the productive industries of this
country get started again, as they will
soon, there will be such a boom in
horses thatwill sicken the farmer who
has robbed himself of the opportunity
to profit by it,"
Now, somebody is going to make
money when the boom comes, and it
is pretty sure to come. In any case,
it is going to be safe to breed the right
kind of horses. And right here is the
trouble. Good breeding stock costs
high, and men do not dare to invest in
it with the bitter experience of the
past before them. But there are many
Vermont farmers who have good mares
to breed from, and all such ought to
study the situation, and see if horse
breeding is not going to pay. just as
soon as the boom comes, many will 60
into the business; but the experience
of the past will prevent such rush
into it as there has been, especially in
the line of scrub and light weights.
The object of this article is to set farm
ers to thinking and studying the condi-
lions of the business, 30 that they may
be ready for the boom when it comes.
Perhaps "boom" is not The right word
that means an unhealthy and sudden
growth; but what is wanted is steady,
healthy development, demand ex-
ceeding the supply, and paying prices.