The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-09-22
HORSE RAISING TALK.


The following article on horse
breeding should be of interest to
every intelligent horseman and farm
er ON the Slope. 1t is by w. B. Rich
ards, a professor of animal husband
ry at the state agricultural college.
All economists realize that certain
sections of the country are better
adapted to the production of some
particular commodity than others.
The reason for this is due to the diff
ference in the soil, and environment
found In one section compared with
another. The Red river valley has
been famous for the production of
wheat, the states of Mississippi and
Louisiana for the production of cot
ton, Colorado for the production of
alfalfa and sugar beets, and we might
continue almost Indefinitely to emu
merate instances of like character.
What Is true of crop production is
equally true Of live stock production.
Great Britain is famous for the pro-
duction of flesh producing animals
OF all classes, and it must be largely
attributed to the natural adaptibility
of that island for this class of live
stock. Kentucky is noted for the
production of light horses, the corn
belt for the production of the lard
hog, and the northwest is recognized
as the home of the bacon hog.
III we stop to consider the cOndi-
lions in the northwest, is it not true
that as specific locality it is we'll
adapted to the production of horses
of high class, and especially to the
raising of the drafter? For the sue
cessful production of horses with
strong frames and robust, hardy con-
stitution we must have soil rich
In mineral matter, and water i'm
pregnated with mineral salts and a
good dry bracing atmosphere, the
equal of which for these qualities is
not found outside of the states of
Minnesota, North and South Dakota.
1t Is impossible to produce strong
framed horse IL there is not found
plenty of mineral matter in the soil
and in the water. The section OF
the country under consideration lies
in the glacial area and there is more
mineral matter found in the soil and
water in this section than in most of
the glacial areas. and they are found
in some localities unfortunately in
quantities SO large as to be Injurious
to crop production. AS result of
plenty of mineral matter in the
plants and water for bone building,
my observation convinces ME that
there is higher per cent of horses
found here with good, clean. flinty
bone than in most other sections.
Another point greatly in favor of
this area for the production of
healthy normal horse is because
there is less danger of feeding a ra-
ton deficient in protein, which is so
essential in the development of a
horse with good feet and a good
healthy vigorous body, compared with
those raised in the corn belt. The
combined effect of the nature of our
soil, water and vigorous climate are
no doubt responsible for the reputa-
tion the horses raised in the north
west have for hardness and why they
are looked to with such favor on the
markets.
1 do not think that horses of equal
merit are being produced any place
as profitably as they are in certain
parts of the northwest. They are be-
ing produced on the range in western
North and South Dakota at almost