The Washington herald., 1913-06-29
UNCLE Sam IS NOW CONDUCTING A NOVEL HORSE farm

cided on the blue grass land around Front
Royal He reported that there were thirty
five private farms in the section known
as Chester Gap which, Joined into one
big farm, about answered the purpose
And the government accepted his word
and bought the farms-buying one at q
time and keeping its purpose secret to
prevent a sudden raise in price.
But August Belmont heard of the prof.
ect just at time when he was wonder
ing what to do with his race horses,
which adverse legislation in various parts
Of the country had made useless for all
purposes save ornament
The result was Belmont made Uncle
Sam a gift of his six best stations. Those
stations, known the racing world over,
are Henry Of Navarro, Octagon, Foot
print, Belfry ID, Vestibule and Marshall
King. The six OF them, when only two
year-olds. cost 100000.
But this wasn't all James Camden.
millionaire horseman of Versailles. KY,
heard of Belmont's gift and added to II.
He made Uncle Sam a gift Of his two
famous stations. Boola Boola and Wheel
wright, worth about S.. 0oo. Thus the
farm was started. With these eight stall
lions to start with, the government bought
more, until now It has more than fifty.
Farmers rs Partners.
But something had to be done to in
crease the scope OF the work-and the
answer was found in a scheme to have
Uncle Sam take every farmer in the
South into partnership. This was dc=o.
As a result this spring, the stations
are being taken all over the country
wherever there are farmers with mares.
When Belmont and Camden owned their
stations, none but the wealthy could
breed to them. The charge for breeding
to Henry OF Navarro. for instance, was
81, 90. Today, however. breeding is free.
All that is required is that the farmer
shall agree to sell the colt to the gov
eminent when 1t is years old for 500
II he wishes to keep the colt, he must
pay a fee Of not more than SIS. And
II the colt has a single blemish he may
keep 1t and pay no fee at all.
1t is required. however. that the mare
shall be free from blemish and of good
breeding, for tho purpose of the farm
is to put the common-bred horse out of
existence and replace il with a race Of
thoroughbrsds.,
And so twice a year from now on.
every spring and every fall. the stations
will be shipped about the country. A
letter to the War Department is all that
Is necessary TO bring one. The result
will be that in few months the farm
will be buying in countless thousands OF
colts-euouSh to supply every man IN
the army and still leave a large surplus.
Then private citizens will be invited to
buy. and after that foreign governments
Will be asked TO come ana purchase.
The ultimate plan is to sell the horses at
gigantic auction sale, with an army
officer as auctioneer. knocking down the
animals to the highest bidder.
Assured n Perfect Horse.
Uncle Sans horse farm Is probably
the only place in the country where. no
matter what animal you buy. you may
rest assured OF getting a horse that is
perfect. II the animal has the slightest
blemish. 1t will not be sold.
1t is conservative to say that so per
cent of Uncle Sans farm horses eventu-
ally land in the prize ring. They are
reared and sold primarily for service.
but their careful rearing and their ex-
quisite breeding make them blue ribbon
winners. too.
The present farm is just a starter. 1t
has proved so big a success that Uncle
Sam already is planning to start at least
one more. in the Far West-and. per-
haps. two or three. Horses for all the
world" is the slogan.
And the best part of II is" said Capt.
Conrad, that any American citizen who
wants to come into partnership with us.
with our side bearing practically all the
expense. taking all the chances and guar
anteeing a profit. needs only a few acres
OF ground and good mare"