New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-23
Alibi for a Narrow Mine
Hitchcock FOreSeeS Era
Of Prosperity on Turf

that New York State would be render
ing the agricultural communities a ser
vice by offering prizes at the fairs ior
contests between half-bred horses. Mr..
Welsh probably had in mind fiat racing
only, and while that would be useful |
think the breed would be improved still
more and the market broadened II
races over obstacles were added.
There is no horse so scarce to-day
in the markets of the world as the fine
type Of hunter, and especially the
heavyweight animal of this class. Eng
lands hunter supply has been taken for
war purposes-1s0,0 900 head of hunters,
thoroughbreds (geldings only and 9TH
err horses of saddle type having been
Communicated since the outbreak OF
hostilities. If we can breed successors
to these horses the market is ours at
virtually our own figures provided we
teach them the rudiments OF the game
for which they are intended.
Every farmers boy knows how 70
ride, and if he had the incentive of
breeding horse that could win some
of the races at his own fair, and back
of that a prospective market for his
mare or geldng, it wouldn't be long
till we had the keenest sort of sports
man in the embryo ready for develop
ment along proper lines.
at isn't to be expected that every
foal by a thoroughbred stallion from
q cold-blooded mare would develop
into a hunter, for there is the usual per-
centage OF culls in all lines of breed
ing endeavor, whether il be horses,
cattle, sheep, dogs or chickens, but q
very great percentage of the failures
would no doubt make cavalry re-
mounts for the army, and we are go
ing to need them very badly in the
near future.
THE recent announcement that the
United States government has an
option on 700 head Of prospective re-
mounts in Virginia, West Virginia and
Maryland, where the government 9
own thoroughbreds, saddiers and
trotters have been standing, is hardly
satisfying to those who read the times
Alright. General Scott thought that
1000 head would be required annu-
ally in times of peace. We shall need
many times 1000 head annually if tee
programme Of preparedness now being
urged by some of the most keen
visioned of our people is adopted.
THE farmer of the United States,
said Mr. Hitchcock in conclusion, sis
awakening TO the necessity of giving
as much attention to his horses as he
does to his cattle, sheep and other
livestock Most OF them either own
outright or have a share in pure
blooded males, and would not think Of
using anything else. The price Of SER
vice fees has Largely guided them IN
the past in connection with their
horse breeding ventures, but the earn
paign of education which had its in
ception in the war which demon
strated forcibly the need of horses OF
a particular type has taught them that
they must follow in the lines Of
proven quality in order to achieve
success.
an France every man who tllls the
soil breeds mare or two. The mares
do their daily stint of labor almost
until fOaling time and resume their
work shortly after maternity, and the
foals are all the harder and better
for following their dams in the fields.
We could with profit follow the eX-
ample of this remarkable nation in It's
horse breeding system SO interestingly
told Of recently by Mr.. Welsh. France
has found racing a necessity because
il is only by racing that We make
progress in horse breeding. WhaC
rance has done we can do