Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-09-11
Draft Horses In Maine.

DfoII horses IN NAME.
Census reports tell us there are about
go, 900 cultivated farms In Maine, oil OF
which use draft horses for farm labor.
Cities and farms alike need and use
thousands of draft horses. The tractor
10 the city has displaced some of these
horses, but IL will be some time before
the tractor can be used economically
enough to entirely displsce the hand
some large drafters. Before the auto
for her high-clsss driving horses. bred
and raised here In abundance. All con-
ditious were favorable TO make the
breeding Of light horses . profitable
business. We had farmers who were
successful breeders and made it . profit
able business. Thousands OF dollars
were left ip our state by the buyers OF
these high-clsss driving horses. We
had plenty of farmers who knew the
breeding business.
Admitting the above is . fairly true
statement, does 1t not seem that some
of the 10000 draft horses brought into
our state annually from outside could
be raised at home and continue the
breeding of draft horses as We used to
driving horses9 According to the last
census, horses are valued at $3.50 In
Maine, and In the United States '$109.
Suppose one-quarter Of our farmers on
these 10000 farms should raise one
draft horse q year. consider the money
that would be-15, 900 at $3.50 each-and
they are worth more than that. Some
will say We cannot raise them as oheaply
as they can be raised In the west.
Possibly they cannot, but they can be
raised cheaper than what they are sold
for after arriving here, and you have an
acclimated horse.
Not only the direct income must one
consider. When farm operations are
reduced, you also reduce the inter est,
especially to the boy on the farm. What
is more interesting and educational than
to watch the growth and development OF
live stock?
II 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 are the best for the western
draft horses. Not long ago, the Breed
ers' Gazette had an article to the effect
that Aroostook county, Maine, had
bought the highest priced carload OF
horses shipped out of Chicago, the
biggest horse market in the world. Sure
" il is time we raised some OF the big
drafters at home. 1t can be done with
the other farm operations at profit.
The most important problem In the
breeding of draft horses is the selection
of the sire. In our dairy herds the sire
is considered so per cent OF the herd /;
ever 40 much more 90 is the sire OF
draft horses, because of the increased
demand for his services. To the large
breeder there is not so much to over.
come, but to the farmer with one brood
mare, 1t means a great deal to him u
the service of good draft stallion 10
within his reach.
From observation in this state. not
enough Importance Is attached to this
pojnt. Too many non-pedigreed, In
ferior stations are used. Results can
be nothing but detrimental to successful
and profitable business. recently read
of certain community In the west where
several stations were kept, one OF which
was outstanding In merit, his colts sell
inc for $50 higher than the others. This
illustrates the value of good sire.
In the selection of the brood mare, one
cannot be too careful. No matter what
one Is undertaking, It must be borne Id
mind that the best is none too good,
and that selike begets like" We have
ssyeral breeds Of draft horses, all OF
which have their good points-tbe
Percheron, Belgian, Clydesdale, Suffolk
and Shire. One point especially is con-
sidered by all, and that lie, mo foot, no
borse.n Feet and legs are the frst
things to look for. Good feeding can
usually make up nice horses. The
brood mare should have good depth OF
body and wsll-spruug ribs; as In the
sire souud and free from vicious
temperament. The age of breeding is
usually at three years. Feeding, care
and exercise are very essential ID sire'
dam and offspring.
The western and Canadian FARMERS
who are raising draft horses success'
| fully have one or two pairs OF drait
mares, good grade or registered mares,
which they breed to the best stallion
,bey can get. The mares do the farm
work and are worked up to foaling time,
usiup due care not to 0vertax them oy
TOO hsayy work. They feed we'll, never
aIloving them to get thin In flesh. The
| colts are broken between two and three,
| and put to work judiciously, and at
four or Ave are sold to the markets.
| when foaling time comes, mares
sbould be turned loose In large box
| stalls and closely watched. A little
Il I..,.,.rcs M khe proper moment may
| savs = VARIABLE colt. which osherwise
vould be lost. Brood mares should De
RENT In good condition, and never allow,
ed 10 get thin In flesh, 90 to be prepared
10, the production Of the foal. The
tos, must Be pushed along in growth,
never allowed to 60 back, but show
evidence OF Q consistent, daily growth
The greatest growth Of the draft horse u
in the first two years, and size with quality
in essentisl. No definite rule can be
laid down for feeding, but feed for re.
Isults-the most economical feeds tha'
produce results.
with good breeding, systematic
soficient feeding to keep them grow
inc. rood care, kind treatment. ths
r.isIpe of draft horses here In Maine
should prove ~ profitable IN invest
ment q the average farmer can under
take.-Dr. J. A. Nsss. In Maine Farmer
II L. K. NcIntire OF East Waterford hai
! ....~tlv nurchasnd from New York par