Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-11-29
A new DRAFT ANIMAL
Other Nations Watching United
States Experiment With
the Zebra
CROSSED WITH YANKEE HORSE
believed That a New Species of Draft
Animal That Will Be Fleet and
Immune from the African Fly -
speed. Strength and Endurance
Sought by the Experimenters,

&. Speed, Strength and Endurance
Sought by the Experimenters,
Secretary Wilson and the officials Of
! lie bureau Of animal industry OF the
3 AGRICULTURAL department, with the co
\ operation Of DR.. Frank Baker, super
htendent Of the National Geological
Z park, are about to engage in the most
curious geological experiment that was
ever undertaken by government, says
1 William z. Curtis. the Chicago Record
Herald's Washington correspondent.
!. The Germans are making preparations
!. Tor similar experiment, and the Kon-
70 Free State, in Africa, will also at
! tempt it. Robert p. Skinner, United
States consul general at Marseilles,
I who was recently sent to Abyssfnia to
| make treaty with that government,
has obtained, through the Ras Makon-
nen at Herar, Africa, pair OF Grevy
zebra stations. They are large, pow
serfnl and comparatively rare animals,
which range In wild state in the
Abyssinian forests. Mr.. Skinner en-
deavored to secure one while he was
in that country, but there was none
a captivity at that time. Since then
Emperor Menelik has had his forest
rangers searching for zebras, and the
Arst pair that were captured are now
on their way to Mr.. Skinner at Mar
settles, whence they will be shipped to
New York. The department of state
has been advised Of the shipment.
BY crossing these zebras with the
American horse and the American
mule It u proposed to create an entire
" new breed Of draft animals which,
It IL believed, will exceed in speed,
strength and endurance every variety
Of the horse or the mule which we
now have In existence. The expert.
ments will be conducted at the Wash
ington zoo under the direction Of Su-
perintendent Baker and the biologists
OF the agricultural department. They
viii be watched with the greatest in.
terest by biologists and live stock men
all over the world. Secretary Wilson
Z Is advised that the authorities Of the
German possessions In South Africa
have been endeavoring to domesticate
the zebra and use 1t for cross breeding,
because it is proof against the tsetse,
IN African fly whose bite will kill a
! horse or mule, but does not i1ljure q
zebra.
This fy prevails in the German col
onies In Africa, and has caused great
deal Of trouble. 1t is believed that a
half bred zebra will be as. much i'm
mlne from its effects as a full bred
animal; hence the experiment is con-
oidered worth trying. The German au-
sthorities recognize also the necessity
Of providing some beast Of burden that
can endure the climate Of Central At
rica, FOR neither horses, mules nor oxen
thrive there. Carabaos or water buff
sfalo from the East Indies endure the
climate much better, but the zebra,
which is a native Of that zone, would
be even more useful IL it could be do
INVESTIGATED.
The Inhabitants Of the Kongo Free
state, and indeed the communities all
along the Kongo river, which lis now
being rapidly settled and civilized, feel
. similar need Of work and Transports
ton animals, particularly because it ia
now almost impossible to obtain negro
bearers to carry the freight from the
rivers into the interior. Until recently
NIL portage and interior transportation
was done by natives, but, having learn
ed other methods Of making living,
they are seeking lighter labor. and the
transportation Of freight has become
q serious problem. Horses, mules and
oxen do not thrive In that climate any
better than In the German provinces;
hence last spring the government sent
an expedition into the jungles in the
southeastern part Of the state to cap
tme wild zsbras and drive them up to
the capital. A large herd was found,
and 400 q 800 fine animals are now
being broken to harness. It liz said
that they prove tractable and are very
Intelligent. They have greater strength,
better speed and more endurance than
any draft animals that have ever been
used IN that climate
1