The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1915-06-17
WRITES THAT NORTH
DAKOTA HORSES EXCEL

That North Dakota horses are
greatly in demand because of their
proven superiority; that the war is
taking many Of the lighter weight
ones, and that we should give special
attention to breeding heavier draft
horses, is the opinion Of an expert
enced horseman, U. L. Burdick, of
Williston, in letter to Commissioner
of Agriculture R. F. Flint, as follows:
During the last four or five years
almost every public speaker, who ad-
dressed farmers gathering, has en-
phasized the Importance Of cattle
raising in North Dakota, and to this
end almost every agency in the state,
has combined to assist in starting
anew the cattle industry of the state.
while this is good thing, it seems
to me, from my long experience in
North Dakota, that one of the most
important industries, and the one
which can be carried on with the least
expense, at the greatest profit, has
been overlooked and that not enough
emphasis has been in the past, or is
now now placed upon the horse in
dustry Of this state.
II believe it is admitted by everyone
that from the natural conditions of
North Dakota, there is no place where
better horses can be raised than on the
plains of North Dakota. have not
the time to state statistics on this
point, but will state generally, and it
can be proven, that horses reared in
North Dakota and in the northern
states, when put to a test in eastern
cities outlive the horses raised
in the central and eastern
sections in a marked degree. The
world will probably never produce a
horse with greater stamina than
those raised in the rigorous climates
of North Dakota and Montana.
II believe, however, in giving the
incentive to the increased production
of horses of North Dakota, that we
should take care that the best class
of horses is produced. Nearly all the
large ranches in this state have been
broken up by the coming of settlers,
and horses are to be raised in small
units, and from an economic stand.
point farmers must start with the
mares which they have. They cannot
afford to dispose of them and buy
better stuff. Their only salvation Is,
then, to start with the very best sires
they can obtain in their community.
1t does not make great deal of Diff
ference what breed of draft horse is
used as a sire. That is matter of
personal preference. But inasmuch as
the Percheron predominates SO strong
ly in North Dakota, believe that
communities having the Percheron in
a greater number should continue that
line and develop a distinct breed in
that particular locality.
1.-THE European war is draining the
country of the smaller horses, and is
doing the breeders of the western
states great service in that re-
spect. But while the small horse is
in demand during this war, breeders
should not be deluded by keeping on
breeding this class Of horses. When
this war is settled there will pro-
badly be no more wars for at least 100
years, hence the demand for horses in
the years to come will be very slight
When the war is over there will be
created demand for the good, big,
draft horse than has ever been known
before, and I predict that those who
stick to the good horse will be fully
INDICATED, and fully paid for their
efforts in behalf of the horse"