Middletown transcript., 1920-03-06
HORSES DECLINING
The Bureau Report. Shows De-
crease Since 1918
THEIR VALUE ALSO DOWN

Horses in this country reached their
maximum in 4 l3, and since then have
been gradually decreasing, according to
data compiled by the Bureau of Crop
Estimates, Uni ed States Department
of Agriculture. While this statement
applies to the United States as whole
the information secured by the bureau
relates primarily to the supply of horses
on farms and ranches, the gradual de-
crease of which is attributed to motor
vehicles.
That the decline Of the horse on farms
is not due merely to the use of passen.
ger automobiles is indicated by sur
vey recently undertaken by approxi-
mately $4,000 crop reporters represent
ing the bureau in all sections of the
country. They have reported the
names of more than 49, 900 farmers who
use motor trucks on their farms. But
the extent to which these trucks dis
place horses is problematical. In many
cases the introduction of truck on
farm indicates provision for increased
hauling rather than an actual reduction
in the number of horses used.
HORSES DECLINE IN YEAR
The estimated number of horses on
farms and ranches January l. of this
wear was q, 109, 900, decrease of 373,-
600 head, or II per cent, compared
with year ago. The total value of
these animals this year is estimated at
81, ,992, 542, 900, as against 81, ia, 1877, 900
last year. This means an average value
per head for horses of all ages of $94.-
80, compared with $98.45 a year ago
The average value per head 10 years
ago was $l08.O3.
From these figures it is not difficult
to understand (why the horse market is
regarded as wi settled and the future
equally uncertain. The best demand
during the past year has been in the
South, while de creases have occurred on
the western ranges. During the past
two years the increased demand for
feed for high-piiced meat animals has
made it relatively more costly to keep
horse on the farm.
Comments in the reports of field
agents to the Bureau of Crop Esti-
mates throw interesting light on the
decrease in the number of horses. The
agent in South Dakota writes: "With
the competition Of the gas tractor there
has been diminishing demand for the
horses of the class largely grown in this
State The agent in Tennessee states:
''The raising of horses and mules has
declined to some extent in the past few
years. The auto is taking the place of
the horse in many instances. With the
mule the decline is not so marked. as he
is the mainstay of the farm, though a
few mules are being replaced by the
tractor"
NO WILD HORSES ON RANGE
According to t field agent in New
Mexico there q no longer any wild
horses on the range in mis- State and the
number of small Mexican cow ponies is
RAPIDLY diminishing. The field agent in
Utah states that horses are liabilities
rather than assets in his section.
Speaking Of the decrease in certain
sections of Washington, the local repre-
sentative in that State says: "Where q
notable reduction has occurred in any
county it seems due to replacement of
horsepower by motor power"
While the number and value of horses
has declined, there has been slight in
crease in the number of mules in this
country compared with {. year ago.
Most Of these animals are in the South
srn States, and the prosperity OF that
.ectian is reflected in the increased de-
mand and high prices paid for mules.
The average value per head is $l47. 1C
(all ages included), compared with
$135. .83 year ago and $12O. 20 ten years
ago. The total number of mules or
farms and ranches the first Of this yeal
was 1895, 900, an increase OF Al, OO(
head, or 0.8 per cent.
The Mattice Stock Co., will bs