The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-08
AMERICAN HORSES o CArALRr.
a Possible Market In Europe for the supply
This Country Could Produce.

Whenever there is war or the rumor of war in
Europe the announcement appears-and it is an
authentic announcement. too-that the repre-
sentatives OF the contending nations have agents
in Hungary buying horses. Hungarian horses
are especially well fitted for cavalry service. and
to Hungary, therefore, the War Departments
OF the Governments turn when the supply OF
horses for cavalry and artillery on a peace foot.
ing Is exceeded BY the requirements OF these
arms of the service on a war basis. There
are in England five horses to every hun
dred population; in France and Germany,
eight; in Italy. four; in Belgium. five; In
Greece, six; in Switzerland. four, and in
Portugal, three. These are the countries in
which the supply Of horses for cavalry service is
inadequate. Hungary, Russia and Denmark are
the three European countries which have horses
to sell By the Federal census Of 1890, there
were $4,000, 900 horses in the United States and
the population Of the country at that time was
returned as 62,O0O,Ooo. Roughly speaking.
therefore, there were about twenty-four horses
to each one hundred inhabitants, or three times
as many as in France and Germany. nearly i've
times as many as in England and Belgium, six
times as many as in Switzerland. and eight times
as many as in Portugal
The extension of the uses Of electricity and OF
steam power for traction has decreased the
home demand for American horses, and Mr..
Mckinley ) Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. Will
| son, mas gone on n three weeks vacation Tor
August in the States OF Utah. Wyoming. the
DakotAs, and Colorado TO observe the resources
of those States for rearing cavalry horses. The
Secretary thinks it would be profitable for the
farmers and breeders in them to raise horses for
| the cavalry OF European countries. Most OF the
horses in the States named are too small for
| cavalry service, but Secretary Wilson believes
that good feed and the Introduction of heavier
stock on the sire side would bring, the Sioux
| ponies up to the desired standard. He has
written to United States Cousrls in Europe 10
learn about the qualities required. and intends
| to issue q bulletin on he subject.
| The qualities needed in q good cavalry horse
are speed and endurance, especially endurance.
In a horse for artillery service, strength rather
than speed Is required. but endurance is q
| requisite also. On the Western prairies and In
the Southwest, American horses well fitted for
excellent military service are to be found in
abundance, and II the views OF the present See
Rotary OF Agriculture. who is a practical
farmer as well as an authority on farm
ket for American horses may be secured
abroad. Germany has 100 1000 horses on the
peace footing OF her army and would require
5000 additional for war. France has 1l1.OOO
horses on peace footing, and would require
10000 more for war. There are 10000 horses
required in Russia on y peace footing OF her
armies, and so, 700 more would be required for
war and would not be hard to get in n country
where there is no lack OF good horses. England
and Turkey have 30. 300 horses in local service.