Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-11-18
TO BREED FROM zEBRAS
Government Plan to Create New
 Species of Draft Animals.
OTHER NATIONS ARE WATCHING

William E. Curtis Writes of the
 Unique Geological Experiment. to
 Be Conducted by the Agricultural
 Department - Fleet Zebra will Be
 Crossed With the Yankee Horse,
 Germany's Similar Test.
 Secretary Wilson and the officials of
 the bureau of animal industry of the
 agricultural department, with the CO.,
 operation of Dr. Frank Baker, super
 intendent of the National Geological
 park, are about to engage in the most
 curious geological experiment that was
 eyer undertaken by government, says
 William D. Curtis, the Chicago Record
 Herald's Washington correspondent.
 The Germans are making preparations for similar experiment, and the Kon-
 go Free State in Africa, will also at
 tempt it. Robert P. Skinner, United
 States consul general at Marseilles,
 who was recently sent to Abyssinia to
 make a treaty with that government, has obtained, through the Ras Makon-
 nen at Herar, Africa. pair of Grevy zebra stallions. They are large, pow erful and comparatively rare animals,
 which range in a wild state in the Abyssinian forests. Mir. Skinner en- deavored to secure one while he was in that country, but there was none in captivity at that time. Since then Emperor Menelik has had his forest rangers searching for zebras, and the first pair that were captured are now on their way to Mir Skinner at Mar seilles, 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 is proposed to create an entire ly new breed of draft animals which, it is believed, will exceed in speed, strength and endurance every variety of the horse or the mule which we now have in existence. The experi- | ments will be conducted at the Wash ington zoo under the direction of Su- perintendent Baker and the zoologists of the agricultural department They ! will be watched with the greatest in- ! terest by zoologists and live stock men all over the world. Secretary Wilson | is advised that the authorities of the German possessions in South Africa [ have been endeavoring to domesticate the zebra and use it for cross breeding, because it is proof against the tsetse, an African fly whose bite will kill horse or mule. but does not injure zebra.
 This fly prevails in the German col onies in Africa, and has caused great deal of trouble. It is believed that ! half bred zebra will be as much i'm mune from its effects as a full bred animal; hence the experiment Is con- sidered worth trying. The German au- thorities recognize also the necessity of providing some beast of burden that can endure the climate of Central Af- ? rica, for neither horses. mules nor oxen. thrive there. Carabaos or water buff fal0 from the East Indies endure the climate much better, but the zebra, which is a native of that zone. would be even more useful :: 1t could be do- nesticated.
 The inhabitants of the Kongo Free 'tate. and indeed the communities all Hong the Kongo river. which is now being rapidly settled and civilized, feel similar need of work and transporta- jon animals. particularly because 1t Is low almost impossible to obtain negro bearers 10 carry the freight from the ivers into the interior. Until recently Ill portage and interior transportation ( vas done by natives. but. having learn- d other methods of making a living. hey are seeking lighter labor, and the of freight has become
 serious problem. Horses. mules and xen do not thrive in that climate any 'ctter than in the German provinces: , ence last spring the government sent i n expedition into the iungles in ths i outheastern part of the state to cap $ ure wild zebras and drive them up to T he capital. A large herd was found. . nd 200 or 300 fine animals are now I eing broken to harness. It is said hat they prove tractable and are very \