The Colfax chronicle., 1900-09-08
FARMER AND PLANTER.
HORSE AND MULE OUTLOOK.
Demand for War Purposes Has
Largely Enhnnccd the Saiue
of the Animals.

Horses in the Chicago market have
Increased from IS to 100 per ceA'. In
value since this time last year, ana
the same is true of mules: for the
buying for army supplies of transpor-
tation stock has made the supply OF
these useful animals short, and SO en-
HANGED the value
Dealers recently interviewed by fhe
Philadelphia Times gave the follow
ing reasons for the advance in prices:
First, the large purchases of horses
an6 mules for use in the Philippines,
Cuba and Porto Rico by the United
States government. Second, the large
shipments to South Africa. Third, that
Eorses are again popular among the
richer class of persons in this coun-
try. Fourth, that there has been
great revival of interest in trotting and
running racing. The sales OF horses
were double those of last May.
1t was also stated that the United
States and Great Britain had pur-
chased 1S7. 500 horses and mules in MIS-
souri, Texas, Kentucky and Tennessee,
ard the other horse breeding states
during the past three years, at an av-
orage of Sis each. This would make a
total of S21 ,462, 500, the largest amount
ever paid for horses and mules in the
same time in the history of the co'in-
try. Except in thoroughbred running
Horses and animals not suitable for
military purposes, these states have
practically been cleaned out of salable
horses.
The United States is still purchasing
horses for the Philippines, which are
being shipped by way of San Fran
cisco and Vancouver to Manila. The
sales to former bicycle enthusiasts are
said to have doubled.
Two or three years ago light dranght
ond ordinary carriage horses sold from
$40 to 500 each. Trotters, saddlers,
coachers and medium draught horses
rold from $50 to $l25. Thoroughbred
trotters, saddle horses and other fine
animals, when they could be sold at all,
brought only from 500 to $500, cx-
cept in long pedigree strains. The
prices are double and triple these ng-
ures to-day. Cab. carriage, light
draught, saddle and trotting horses
have become scarce, because they ;.re
most needed for cavalry, mounted IN
fantry and field artillery. Coach and
medium end heavy draught animals
have been put into the artillery, army
transportation and into the hospital
corps. The mules have gone into the
army transportation service with the
draught horses. Most of those from
Missouri and Texas are now
packing loads on their backs or drag
gibg wagons, or among the kopjes of
South Africa.
AS nearly five years will be required |
to replace the horses that have al
ready been sent to foreign countries, |
and even longer to replace those that |
pre- going during the next year, horse
breeding has reason for its present |
boom. Money is again being invested
in the business of horse breeding, and |
here is every prospect that Il will pay |
GOOD interest, while the man who has
stuck to the business during the bad
years is at last the recipient of the
reward he SO richly deserves. The
moral of the whole story is that farm
,rs should breed every brood mare in
he country to q pure-bred stallion,
Tilted to produce when so mated foal
hat viii have specific purpose, and
.an not fail to return remuner;,tive
Price when of marketable sgc.-Farlp-
RS Review.