The silver star., 1898-02-10
THE MARKET FOR HORSES.
Secretary Wilson Thinks That There Is .
Great Field for American Farmers


Great Field for American Farmers
At the convention OF stock growers
held at Denver. letter from James
Wilson. secretary of agriculture. was
read. In the course OF the letter he
said:
'"The convention at Denver will con-
sist largely of intelligent gentlemen
who are interested in ranch condi-
tions. I had the pleasure of visiting
some OF the ranches last summer. and
I intend to do so again next summer
! noticed that the range grasscs are
exceedingly nutritious. and where the
animals get plenty of grazing they
grow as rapidly as animals do on the
blue grass pastures further east. /
noticed also that the want of suffi-
cient winter forage prevents the
growth and development of these ami
mails, especially the horse. Europe
buys n great many horses, and will
buy more. We have the cheapest
grasses and grains in the world. We
are natural horsemen: we all love the
horse.
II am satisfied that the range horse,
II he is kept growing throughout the
winter by the addition OF little grain
to his range condition. would he made
to weigh 300 pounds more than he
does now when four years OF age. He
would then make the best cavalry re-
mount in the world. At present 1t can
be said that he has the best feet. legs,
vitality and lungs of any horse in the
world. but he is not quite heavy
enough. 1t is entirely practicable for
the range people to increase his weight
TO the requirements of the nations who
buy very extensively. This Is the first
suggestion ! would make regarding
the range horse. There are two ways
by which the ranch people can get
cheap grains. Possibly for immediate
use 1t might be wisest to send to the
states OF Nebraska. Kansas and Iowa
for corn; but eventually the rich val
leys OF the mountain states should he
irrigated TO n grent extent, and In this
way feed for the animals In winter
can be procured. There is wide
problem ahead OF us all In this connec-
ton. Just what is best to be done In
regard TO irrigation, I do not know.
but my sympathles arc with the peo-
pie Of the mountain states along this
line. Better development OF both
horses and cattle In the winter time
In the mountain states would put them
into the market mt nm earlier age. and
Justify the development OF earlier ma
turing blood In the cattle. would
, suggest. also. that the range horse be
: broken and made gentler. The people
OF the East ar not as good riders
as the people In the mountain states
. nre, and l question IL the cnynlrymen
OF the old world arc as good riders M
' the mountain boys. The ranch horse
, would bring better prices II broken
/ before being sent out.
I II am at work cndcnvoring to Ret
1 facts regarding American horses from
2 all sections OF the country-just what
r we have. etc. l nm also getting facts
+ regarding the requirements OF foreign
4 countries. Great Britain. France. Ger
;. many. Belgium. etc, along this line
O The low price for horses during ths
y last few years Inns done one good
4 thing for us. II hns bcnred the hors1
0 market and shown conclusIvely thai
i we can produce horses cheaper than
/. any other country can. This undoubt
r edly Will discourage the production Of
4 horses In these foreign cOuntrieH: m
z fact have direct evidence Of this ~
q feet. The opportunity is now preSen,
d for us to develop Just whnt these neo
n pie want. We have n very profitabIs
y trade with them In cattle, and we ina,
have n profitable trade In horses. ~
q cniise the foundation Of the one In IN,
o foundation Of the other-chcnp grain,
q nnd grnsses. We sold 10000 hrnd n
J. cnttle Inst year. and this will continue
y The people Of continental Europe ar,
h not very friendly to the Introduction o
u our tie. but this department ID do
+ ing what II can 10 bring them 70 I
II more ',eIgl,borly way Of thinking aloal