The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-10-20
GOVERNMENT STALLION
FOR MAINE
Capt. Jshn y. Merrill Formerly OF
Sk0wheEan Taking Interest In
Somerset County Horse Conditions

A recent letter received from Cap
tain John N. Merrill of the Eleventh
Cavalry. No. 25 Preside of Montery
people of this section something
which should be read with interest
by farmers and horsemen of Somer-
set County. Captain Merrill says,
in his communication to the Repor-
ter that some time ago he joined the
American Remount Association which
Is composed OF both Civilians and
Army officers and which Is interest
ed in the breeding of better mules
and horses. He has found that there
is not a single government stallion
allotted to Maine and consequently
secretary Of the Remount Assoc iation,
the Quartermaster General of the Ar
my and finally with the Purchasing
Depot at Lexington, KY. AS res
ult the foregoing letter was received
by Captain Merrill from Lieutenant
Malhn which explains the situation.
Subject: Locating Stallion in
Maine.
I. Acknowledgment is made of
your letter Of August 81, 1921. In
reply, l am glad to note your inter
est. in horse breeding, especially in
I thaf part of Maine which you state
has been noted for its horse market
for the past fifty years. On ne
count Of shortage of sires. we have
not been able as yet to place one
| OF Our stations in Maine. but hope
to DO so II we can secure authority
to purchase additional stations for
use next breeding season
q Most of the stations that we
have been able to secure are big, fine
thOrOughbreds, high-class. proven
sires from the best producing strains,
sire and dam. We have also few
standardbreds, saddlebreds and Ara
bians of exceptional merit and breed
ing. All of these stations with the
exception of possibly two or three
have been placed for next years
breeding
3. The plan under which we are
operating which may be modified in
some of its details before next sea-
son Is briefly this: We pay the
agent sl00 per day for feed, care
and shoeing, for four months March
LIST to June 30th and $1,000 for each
mare properly bred. the horse being
delivered to the agent without ex-
pense. The agent agrees to keep
the horse without cost To the Govern
ment the remainder of the year July
1stt to- March 1sD. The agent col
lects a stud fee of $1,000 when the
mare Is bred and RENTS 1t to this
headquarters where II Is placed to
the credit of the Treasurer of the
United States, so you will see that
we practically pay the agent the stud
fee. but the legal procedure of the
Government requires us to use this
method. Payment OF $1,000 for each
mare properly bred Is made direct TO
the agent by this headquarters upon
receipt OF certificate OF service
signed by the owner OF the mare.
4. II You are further interested,
would be glad II you will furnish
this headquarters with the approx
mate number of mares within a radius
of 10 to IL miles at which II IL pro-
posed to locate the stallion, giving
insofar as possible the breed. type.
weight and general condition as to
soundness; also state If possible the
number of registered mares of any
breed in that neighborhood. 1t may
be that a good stallion can be sent
up into that country If there is a
possibility OF securing at least 26 suit
able mares.
5. Would suggest that you com
municate with this headquarters
again about the first OF the year when
something definite will be known as
to whether or not stallion will be
available. .,-,@