Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-03-27
Draft Horses In Maiue.

Ufaft horses In MaIno.
One OF the most important lectures
given in the Farmers' Week Course q
Orono was delivered by DR.. j. A. Nes,
OF Auburn, Thursday, March 9Th, OF
Draft Horses for Maine. Mr.. Ness sale
In part:
"Census reports tell us there are abou
sixty thousand cultivated farms in tn,
state of Maine, all of which use draf'
horses for farm labor. Cities and farmi
alike need and use thousands of drafl
horses. The tractor In the city has dis
placed some of these horses, but It will
be some time before the tractor can b.
used economically enough to entirely
displsce the handsome, large drafters
Before the automobile came into use
Maine was noted for her high class driv.
ing horses, bred and raised here In abun.
dance. All conditions were favorable
to make the breeding of light horses q
profitable business. We had farmers
who were successful breeders and made
1t profitable business. Thousands OF
dollars were left In our state by the buy.
ers of these high class driving horses,
We had plenty of farmers who knew the
breeding business.
Admitting the above Is q fairly true
does II not seem that some OF
the ten thousand draft horses brought
into our state annually from outside
could be raised at home and continue
the breeding of draft horses "a We used
to driving horses. According to the
last census horses are valued at $4,000
In Maine and In the United States $i09
Suppose one quarter of our farmers on
these sixty thousand farms should raise
one draft horse q year, consider the
amount of cash that would be, fifteen
thousand horses at $4,000 each, and
they are worth more than that. Some
will say we cannot raise them as cheaply
as they can be raised in the West. Pos
sibly they cannot, but they can be raised
cheaper than they are sold for after ar
irving here, and you have an acclimated
horse.
Not only the direct income must one
consider. When farm operations are
reduced you also reduce the interest es-
pecislly to the boy on the farm. What
Is more interesting and educational than
to watch the growth and development of
livestock?
1t is q means of employment that will
bring as good returns as anything the
farmer can undertake. The eastern
market or the farms and cities of New
England is the best for the western draft
horses. Not long ago the Breeders Ga
.ette had an article to the effect that
A Aroostook County, Maine, had bought
The highest priced carload of horses
shipped out of Chicago, the biggest
horse market In the world. Surely 1t Is
lime We raised some Of the big drafters
1t home. It can be done with the other
'arm operations at profit.
The most important problem In the
breeding of draft horses Is the selection
,f the sire. In our dairy herds the sire
g considered so percent of the herd; ever
70 much more 80 is the sire of draft
horses because of the increased demand
'or his services. To the large breeder
his is not so hard to overcome, but to
he farmer with one brood mare 1t means
great deal to him II the service OF Q
rood draft stallion is within his reach.
From observation In this state not
enough importance is attached to this
point. Too many non-pedigreed, In
'erior stations are used. Results can be
,othing but detrimental to successful
md profitable business. I recently read
IF a certain community in the West
where several stallions were kept, one OF
which was outstanding In merit, bis
colts selling for $50 higher than the
,thers. This illustrates the value OF a
yood sire.
In the selection Of the brood mare one
cannot be too careful. No matter what
,ue is undertaking It must be borne In
mind that the best Is none too good and
hat "Like begets like" We have sever
Il breeds of draft horses, all of which
have their good points. The Percheron,
Belgian, Clydesdale, Suffolk and Shire.
One point especially is considered by all
and that is mo foot no. borse." Feet
md legs are the fret things to look for.
Good feeding can usually make up nice
horses. The brood mare should have
good depth of body and we'll sprung
ibis. As In the sire. sound and free
rom vicious tenn permanent. The. age OF
breeding Is usually at three years. Feed.
ng, care and exercise is very essential In
lire, dam and offspring.
The western and Canadian farmers
Who are raising draft horses successfully
have one or two pairs OF draft mares, good
grade or registered mares, which they
breed to the best stallion they can get.
rbe mares do the farm work and are
worked up to f6aling time, using due
,are not to overtax them by too heavy
work. They feed we'll, never allowing
hem to get thin In flesh. The colts are
broken between two and three and put
10 work judiciously and at four or five
are sold to the markets. ~ q :.
When fosling time comes mares
should be turned loose In large box
stalls and closely watched. A little as
,istance at the proper moment may save
\ valuable colt, which otherwise would
be lost. Brood mares should be kept In
rood condition and never allowed to get
shin In flesh, 90 to be prepared for the
production OF the foal. The foal must
be pushed along In growth, never allow
ID 10, 90 back but show evidence OF .
consistent, daily growth. The greatest
yro With of the draft horse is.iu the frat
Two years, aud size with quality 10 essen
tial. No definite rule can be laid down
for feeding, but feed for results-the
most economical feeds that produce re-
suits. fE s+
with good breeding, systematic, sufa
,ient feeding to keep, them growing,
rood care, kind treatment, the raising OF
draft horses here In Maine should prove
as profitable IN Investment as the average
farmer can undertake., "',fs sr~.,s,,,, 8,