Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1909-06-08
Horses Increasing Despite Autos
OVER 2O,640,OOO AT BEGINNING OF
YEAR.

During the discussion in the Senate
recently over an amendment to the de
ficiency appropriation bill which pro
vided $4,000 for automobiles for the
use of President Taft Mr.. Bailey of Tex
as, made a speech in defence of the
horse. He said, with other things, thai
electric and steam motors were driving
horses out Of existence.
Such remarks are often made by per
sons who are not aware of the facts
During the bicycle craze we were fire.
quently warned that horses would soon
become useless except for ploughing
and heavy hauling. When electricity
was applied to street car service we
heard the same prediction, and great
deal of regret was expressed that the
noblest and most intelligent of animals
should be condemned to pass into OBJ
livion.
But the contrary has been the case.
There are more horses in the United
States to-day than there ever were be-
fore: they are increasing in numbers and
IN value, notwithstanding the electric
street cars, the motor wagons and omni-
buses, tue bicycles, the automobiles and
the adoption of steam and electricity as
4 motor powerin farming and in every
business and trade that requires loco
motion.
CENSUS OF HORSES.
The number of horses in the United
States January l, 1908, was 1892 600,
and they were worth total of 81 ,S61,
$50, 900, or an average of S93 IL each.
During the succeeding year, ended jan
uary |, 1909, the number of horses had
increased to 20,640,000; their value had
advanced more than 800, ,000, 900 to the
sum of Sl,974, ,052 900, and the average
price was S95 "a, OF 50 % more than the
previous year.
The average price of horses through
out the United States for the ten years
previous to 1908 was S6O25 per head,
which shows that they are worth an
average OF S35 40 more, Notwithstanding
the circumstances which Senator'S and
Others have SD mournfully deplored.
Automobiles came into general use
more rapidly during the year 1908 than
at any previous period, but notwith-
standing that fact the number and the
value of our horses increased more rapid
ly during that period than ever before.
During the calendar year 1907 the horses
increased 245, 900 in number and $50, ,352,-
900 in value. During the calendar year
1908 they increased GAS, 900 in number
and Sl06, ,522, 900 in value.
MULES MORE VALUABLE.
The same can be said of mules, which
should also be taken into consideration,
because thousands of mules have lost
their jobs because of the introduction of
electricity as a motive power. There
are now in this country 4,053, 900 mules,
which are valued at S437 ,0S2 900, or an
average of Sl07 81 per head; that is
about SIP % more per mule than horses
are worth. This is an increase of 1884,
600 mules during the year 1908, $50, 49,,
600 in value and cents per head.
The increase in 1907 was -, 900 mules,
but in 1906 there was decrease in the
total value of Sll, l25, 900, or an average
falling off of 81 40 per head.
The number of milk cows in the Unit
ed States January l, 1909, was q, ,I20, 900,
and they were valued at S702, ,945, 600, an
average of S32 80 per head. This is an
increase of $4,000 during the previous
year in numbers and S52 ,SSS, 900 in total
value, or 81 80 per head. Ranch cattle
show decrease of 694,0 in numbers,
but an increase in the value of Sl7, ,Sl6,-
600 which may be partial explanation
of the present size Of your butchers
bills.