The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-10-08
Farmers Advised by
the Department of
Agriculture to Pre-
pare for the Demand
EUROPE WILL
LOOK TO U. S.
Countries at War Possess Nearly Forty
Million Horses-Good Mares Used
in Farm Work Should Be Bred to
Good Stations

Washington. d. c.. Oct S.-During
tine next decade there will probably be
an increased demand for American
horses in the countries now engaged in
the European war Tht demand may
even continue much longer. according TO
Investigators of the United States De-
Tartment of Agriculture, as not only
will horses be needed for armies, but
when peace is restored more will be
needed for agriculture. Already Euro
pean agents are said to be endeavoring
to purchase horses in this country and
Canada, and there is an increased inter
est in many sections in horse-breeding.
To meet this increased European de-
mand American farmers may well en-
deavor TO raise well-bred horses, al
though the Department Of Agriculture
does not advise them to purchase a sur
plus of horses merely for breeding pur-
poses 1t merely advises that ordinary
farm work should be done whenever
possible by good mares which should
be bred to good stations. It also de.
sires to emphasize the fact that only
horses of high quality may be profit
ABLY raised today. Inferior horses are
a drug on the market. and their produc-
ton is to be discouraged as much as the
production of good horses should be
encouraged.
100000 Horses for Eoer War
The United States has previously
been drawn on to supply European
countries at war. In the Boer war over
100000 horses were bought here by
the British government. II may be
doubted whether q foreign government
could now obtain a similar supply in
this country. except at excessive cost.
However, if farmers take rains to util-
ize their good mares during this win
ter to breed them to good stations, in
the course of several years (time enough
for the foals to develop. America will
be better able to meet the European
demand.
1t is natural that European countries
should look to the United States for
horses, as next 10 Russia it has more
of these animals than any other country
in the world. The United States and
Russia possess IS per cent. of tine world
supply, Strange to say. however, there
were no horses originally on our con.
tlnent and the present supply comes
from stock brought over from Europe
Canada S supply is small compared to
p our own.
War as Consumer of Horses
The Germany army requires for a
complete mobilization 10000 horses
and the French army is said to require
100000. which figure however, prob
ably includes only those for the cav.
airy. 1t is conservativelv estimated on
good authority that 100000 horses
are now engaged in the European war
AS the great majority of these horses
are not included in the permanent mil
sitary organization but are used fol
farm work and are requisitioned by
governments only when needed for mill
tary purposes. the countries of conn
mental Europe will certainly face an
acute shortage of farm horses before
the next planting season which will
seriously affect the price of horses the
2 world over, as soon as peace is de-
clared.
According to the best information
horses in the countries of Europe now
a l,t1T1 ,a, oil