The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-07-17
Export of Horses Starts
By WAYNE DINsMoRE.

Sccretarg or the fercherOu Society of
 America.
 Decided improvement in the horse mar Ret is manifest. Exports to Europe have already begun, despite very high ocean rates. Marx & Hamme have forward ed three shipments to Havre, France, part of which were billed directly to Bel gium via Havre. as the port of Antwerp is not yet available. Vanlandengham of Belgium, who formerly acted as inter- preter for many Americans purchasing pure-bred horses in France and Belgium, has begun buying horses on the Chicago market and expects to ship at least 100 per week. Another firm the identity of which has not yet been disclosed, will be- gin this month, so that from the known arrangements of these three exporting firms, from 400 to 800 horses will be pur- chased and shipped abroad each week from Chicago alone. St Louis will un- doubtedly be in the game soon, so that farmers may look for good demand for surplus drafters
 The Marx &s Hammel consignment of 200 head which left Chicago few days ago, were a good useful lot of work horses, ready for immediate service. All were broken and most of them right out of farm work. They ranged from 15.3 to 16.S hands in height, and from 1500 to 1900 pounds in weight, in good work ing flesh The majority were geldngs, but mares are just as acceptable, little more so. The best type of draft horses are wanted, but the less desirable ones are accepted at a discount ill price. Harry McNar, in commenting on this said Tt is easier to sell a real good drafter for 800 than a mediocre one for S25." Horse row comment credited the cost price of this last lot of 200 head at S265 average on the Chicago market, which means a cost of about $40 each in the country There were a. number of +1,A -bi ta1, $500 per head and good many that did rot cost over $225, for the spread between the good ones and the medium kind IS great.
 The horse that is most sought for is the one that will stand 16.3 to IT hands, with depth of chest equal to one-haf his height, and well proportioned throughout. Such a horse must be strong backed, powerful in build, deep middled and well let down in the Hanks, with good un- derpnning, and weigh over 100 pounds in working flesh. Such horses will bring from S325 to $50 each Short, steep pas terms, small constricted feet crooked books are not wanted, and unsound horses are also declined with thanks, al- though slight puff about the joints will get by if the horse is otherwise sound.
 One fact of especial interest to farmers is that the exporters will take the medio- V No man can afford to sell the best if he expects to improve his horses. It is there fore good policy to cut out all of the smaller less desirable work horses and dispose of them as buyers appear; and they will come more and more frequently. for there is steadily growing demand for drafters for city and construction work, as well as for export. Shrewd judges of the market predict that by 1921 good draft horses will be higher in price than ever before; and then, five years too late, there will be a frenzied stam- pede of farmers to breed their mares and with this win come a widespread demand for good stallions, which the pure-bred breeders of America, largely Percheron, must meet.
 Sir Merrik Burrell, vice president of the British Percheron Horse society, will visit the United States this fall for the purpose of acquainting himself with the resources of the United States in Per cherons He is one of the best-known horsemen in the British isles and his visit will be hailed with delight.