The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-22
MARKET SUMMARY.
FINANCIAL.

The shrinkage in all branches of live stock
products in the United States during the past
five or six years, owing mainly to the preva-
lence of generally hard times, affords
splendid opportunity for future revenue to
those representatives of agricultural lines of
inGustry who may be disposed to engage in
the work of a revival. But by reason of the
fact that supply must be provided with
which to meet the forthcoming extraordinary
demand the exercise of intelligence and good
judgment is more than ever necessary to the
end that the best results in the line of profit
may be realized
The small farmer, of moderate capital, but
possessed of common sense can turn his pres
ent opportunities to advantage in equal
degree with the professional breeder, with his
more extended outfit, but in order to ac-
complish this certain principles should be
observed. The tendency of same no doubt,
will be to get a colt, a calf, hog a
sheep as quickly as possible, and ready for
the market, on the theory that a colt is a
colt, calf is calf, hog is hog and
sheep is sheep. 1t is this point that the
first mistake is likely to occur, namely, the
beginning of over production, an evil from
which farmers seem, periodically, to suffer.
There never has been time more propitious
for the undertaking of improved methods
than the present, and in order to accomplish
the best results it is indispensable that the
right kind of start should be made.
Owing 70 the lapse In the horse breeding
industry during the period outlined above
there has been an enormous shrinkage in the
numbers produced and now available in the
markets. Already the demand is SO consid-
cradle that prices have advanced to a point
which yields a good and reasonable profit to
those who. within the past five years. say,
have gone on breeding, notwithstanding the
discouraging outlook. But the results are
apparent to anyone visiting the horse markets
today, in the notable improvement in the
quality. The farmer who used to argue that
colt is a colt, no matter how much of
scrub the animal was, has been driven out CT
the business, because his stock is not worth
the cost OF production, and it probably never
VIII be again. The demand exists for higher
grades because the prices of those grades
nave, on account of the depression, brought
these animals into more general use and their
superiority being established the breeding Of
the lower classes must of necessity be aban-
doned, in large measure, because of the
lack of profit in rearing them. This is
wholesome condition and one which should
be acceptable to every sensible and thrifty
breeder.
Then, again, there is an Increasing export
money have, during the past twenty years.
been expended by American breeders, par
ticularly in the Northwest, in the importa-
ton of thoroughbred stations and mares of
all classes on the theory that whatever could
be proftably and adyantageously done in
England and other European countries
could, with equal profit and advantage, pc
done here. 1t has required time to effect
results, but that time has already arrived
Our horses are wanted and being purchased
in large numbers abroad, but even now the
demand there is for something still better to
stand in competition with their own products
While American breeders have been doing
their best, the Englishman, for instance. has
the advantage of a longer start in the line
of breeds from which we make our selec-
lions Of sires and dams for Importation. The
work of importation of original stock must
continue, and encouragement is afforded for
the undertaking in the fact that heir
progeny, when offered for sale on the other
side, are bought at fair prices on their mer-
its. A writer to Breeders Gazette recently
said in a published letter.
Your countrymen are sending over hun-
dreds of cart horses to London and Liver
pool II you are to keep prices remunera-
i've Ior THIS class of horses you will have
to get some of these big, weight shires over
TO your side. You send us big horses
enough, but they have not weight enough
IN limb to compete at best prices with
homegrown Shires. Top can often be
widened and developed in our brewers and
railway studs by feeding providing we have
weight and size enough at the foot and a
1udlclous selection of your own sires or of
some OF our biggest blood would result in
more rent-paying lots to send over here
speak with some knowledge of your en-
trles as seen In your own country, and the
man who takes time and horses now and
breed
gest and soundest will reap his reward.
rms frank statement ard criticism accom-
panied by the assurance of possible results.
is worthy OF consideration by home breeders.
The work of improvement is constantly going
on there and this should be an incentive to
like effort here.
With respect to the more fancy classes of
exported stock, The Country Gentleman has
this to say:
OF special sale of horses from the Unit
ed States and Canada at Glasgow, Scotland,
the Marx Lane Express remarks that there
principally, of brougham, carriage and
matching horses. while there were also a
number suitable for van and cart purposes.
as wei as few cobs. The outstanding
feature OF the sale was the exceptionally
grand lot of 62 from Kentucky Without
doubt these were the finest United States
horses exer exported to Britain which were
passed under the hammer by public auction.
Although not long landed, they showed re-
markably well, exhibiting splendid style and
and fashionable colors. There was a Tsry
large attendance of buyers from almost ali
the centers of Scotland, while many repre-
sentatives were also present from the chief
English towns, and a few from Ireland
The ages of the animals ranged from
to years. They were from 14.2 to II hands
high. The best demand was for the car
riage and matching horses, for which bids
came readily, at times the competition be-
Ing most animated. and the best class OF
one dark brown horse made I'D to 140
guineas.
1t may be said that all this is well enough
for the larger breeders, but no advantage can
accure to the small farmer who must be con-
tent to carry two, three or possibly four
horses on his quarter section Of land This
is just where his advantage at the present
time exists. The depreciation in the value of
hcrses within the past few years, has, as
stated above, reduced the higher grades of
stock to price which he was formerly
obliged to pay for animals Of the meauer
classes. As result of the efforts of breed
ers in the Northwest during score or more
of years, nearly every community is today
provided with a thoroughbred stallion of the
draft species. Let the farmer select mares
OF gcod conformation, and by attending care
fully to propagation science meanwhile uti-
hzing the animals in the carrying on of work
on tie farm, and within a reasonable neriod
he VIII become, himself, the possessor and
breeder of line Of thoroughbreds, instead
OF the mongrel, degenerating representatives
OF the no-type animals which a few wears apo
were the progenitors of herds of scrubs
few days ago the writer stood In the
Midway horse market, noting the progress NJ