Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1899-11-03

Compared with the largest year, 1893,
there is now Il shortage Of nearly
100000 head, or about 16 per cent.
The proportion Of western horses to
the total supply, according to the most
recent government estimates, is far be-
low the general idea. II we could
draw a line north and south through
our country, passing through Dodge
City, Kan, we would find the entire
number Of horses west Of that line, bro
ken and unbroken, in the cities and on
the range, to be only II per cent Of
the total number now in the country.
In other words, the supply Of western
horses, counting everything west Of
the given line, would fall far short of
making up the shortage in the supply
east Of that line. This is where n Of
the encouraging features for the west
ern owner comes in. Traffic in horses
is controlled by the law Of supply and
demand. and it doesn't take long to de-
eide who has the better Of the situa-
ton.
In comparing the present supply of
horses with the figures for 1898, the
increase in the country's population
must be taken into consideration. The
population Of the United States is low
estimated at $4,000, 900 against 6O,O00,-
900 in 1893, q gain Of 25 per cent. The
demand or necessity for horses grows
in proportion to the increase in the
population. Thus we find that in six
years the population has increased %
per cent, while the supply Of horses in
that time has decreased 16 per cent.
Some may agree that the growing pop
ularity Of the bicycle, the growth of
the use Of electricity as we find it in
street cars, automobiles and the like,
has more than offset the decrease in
the supply Of horses.
The extent to which these factors
have supplanted the horse is greatly
exaggerated by the uniformed. 1t is
an exhaustive study and would take
columns to give all the details. Care
full researches into the matter, howev
er, have shown the general opinion is
exaggerated. Automobiles are no
proving practicable entirely. Electri
clans say that it will be a good many
years before the automobile will be i'm
proved sufficiently to become a factol
in the commercial world. In Paris
where the idea of the automobile orig
mated and where tests have been made
for the last five years, there are nov
less than 5000 in use. Some year:
ago. and yet not so very long ago Ell
Their, steam gang plows, it was said
would supersede the horse on the farm
It's effect has not yet been felt in th'
markets, and the same may be said O.
the automobile. 1t is now nothing
more than a fashionable toy, and 81
expensive one~at that. .
There are other points to be consid
cred, however, that may not be SO ia
Korable to the western a One o
these points, and one that may posi-
bly, result in retarding for q year o
two any heavy eastward movement,
the difference in the methods Of han
ding horses. The large numbers o
unbroken horses that are being dis
kributed throughout the east and sout
Through the medium Of special sale
this fall may result in so many smash
ed up buggies. broken limbs and RUNE
characters on the part Of those VIII
have to break the horses that publ
sentiment may be turned against th
unbroken animal.
If the eastern man who buys a rang
animal sets about breaking him in th
same name in which he Is handle
in the west, the breaking could be don
with more safety, in less time and en-
with the buyers entire s%atisfactio
with the range horse.
Western horses when rightly ha1
died can be broken as easily as til
kansas or Missouri colt, but IL not Co
xectly handled they may prejudice Q,