New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-07-26
Fair Results Were OBJ
tanned with Expenditure
of $4,000 in 1914.
THOROUGHBRED SIRES
ARE MOST POPULAR
Octagon and Henry of Navarro
Are Sires Now Helping Solve
Army Remount Problem.


of the governments experimental work
in horse breeding, begun in 1918. is in
teresting, and statistics for the season
just closed will give an idea of how the
work is being prosecuted.
Unlike foreign governments, the
United States had made no experiments
in the scientific breeding of horses for
army uses, and it was only as the result
Of recommendation TO Congress by
number Of experts, VINO had inspected
foreign studs, that an appropriation OF
$4,000 was set aside and the work
turned over to the Department Of Agri-
culture. which in turn delegated it to
the Bureau of Animal Husbandry. Tho
object was to produce desirable types
of cavalry remount and artillery horses.
Thoroughbred sires had been pro-
/ nounced most seryiceable by CONT
mental experts and the project was
undertaken along the same lines here,
though there was a desire to try other
| light horse types Of stallion, and few
{ trotting. saddle and Morgan slres were
| included in the original stud.
as a donation the thoroughbred sires
Octagon. by Rayon dor; dam Ortegal,
by Bend or, and Henry Of Navarro, by
knight Of Ellerslie out Of Moss Rose,
! by The III Used, from August Belmont.
president Of The Jockey Club, and these
we're turned over to the Department Of
| Agriculture.
Other thoroughbreds were purchased,
and there are now at the station at
Front Royal, Va, eighteen sires, Of
which ten are thorough the others
being trotters and saddle stations. All
these horses were passed upon by eX-
perts, ard no unsound or faulty gated
mares are allowed TO be bred.
In every instance the aim has been
TO secure a horse that was not only
good individual but was possessed of
a sweetness Of disposition, soundness
Of fibre and a quality Of bone that
would make its progeny desirable for
army use.
The prepotency Of the thoroughbred.
experts declare, make him ideal for the
work in hand, and. as racing was in its
darkest days when the work was IN
augurated. the task of securing horses
of quality was easy. There was dis-
position from the start to render the
government every assistance in a work
that is regarded as second to none IN
economic importance.
With Russia's appropriation for
horse breeding totalling more than s4,-
600 900 for 1914. and the Gar adding
more than 81 100000 in the same peri
cd from his private purse, there was
cause for fault finding when the APP
propriation for the work in the United
States during the same period was cut
from the original $4,000 to S3O,OOO.
Now the department has been notlhed
that il must carry on the work Tor
the coming twelve months for S2o'0Oo,
and there is certain to be an appeal 10
Congress as soon as the House con-
venes.
There will be agitation also concern
ing the price the Government binds u
self to pay for three-year- Odds. the lg-
ure at present amounting to Sl75, or 10
be exact, $3.50 and a refund of the ser
vice fee of S25, though no fee is
charged if an option is given the gov
eminent on the resultant foal at the
time of service.
Breeders in the East claim that they
cannot produce a good two-year-old Tor
this sum. and experts like Major Cen
eral Scott declare that the amount
should be increased, and, IN TACT, there
should be no set figure for a good
horse. The governments option Is eX-
ceedingly fair, for if a breeder mas
he has produced a high type OF amman
which will command big hguIe III
the open market or at private sale ne
NAV pay the service fee OF so ana
obtain a release. M -,
has tho work in hand for the Bureau
Of Animal Husbandry, that oH'clal
/ said: -. ,r
1--WE find a desire TO pa'ro7ize our
/ borses growing constantly, but unfor-
tupately we are hampered by the lack
/ Of sufficient money TO 90 on with II IN
+ the wav its Importance demands. IL IS
a work that would make big showing
in a wear or two, and Il IS a project
which calls for much thought.
In 1913 we had IL stations, 70 when
557 mares were bred. In 1914, AZ
stations were in the service, ana Z'OIo
mares were bred. Because our appro-
priation was cut TO $4,000 for the past
4 cason we had to reduce the NUMBER OF
stations TO 81. Notwithstanding TINS
there have been bred to date more tnan
900 mares, and when the return Tor
/ the Morgan horse. which left the Mld-
dleburv, VT, depot late, are all IN
/ there will be more than 1000 Mares or
an average Of about So mares per morse
as against AZ in 1914 and SO IN 1913.
1--WE have endeavored always, 70
Mace the horses in districts where
there was the greatest need Tor I'M,
proving the general purpose horse
contiued Mr. Bell. "ln every instance
I think, we have accomplished our
object. and we have had 70 limit the
season of the thoroughbred Octagon
and the trotter Richford Jay. 2;l5'4'
so great is the desire TO patronize
sires Of their splendid type.
Prizes are given, in cooperation WIN
the National Remount Association
every autumn for yearlings at hve ialrs
in Virginia, four in Kentucky, three
in Vermont and one each IN tennessee
and Ohio, the animals being judged on
their suitability 10 become cavalry re-
mounts. We also hold a horse show
and race meet in August at Front
ROYAL. where premiums for the produce
of the government stations are offered
as well as the Thompson cup for two
year-olds. which is a feature OF the
/ occasion 49,,
was a possibility Of the government
horse breeding activities being trans
fcrred TO the War Department, Mr.
Bell admitted that he mad, but would
mot discuss the matter, which is be-
ing advocated quite strongly, the claim
Icing that the work belongs there, as
the army knows the type Of horse II
requires for active service.