The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-08-22
Improvement in
Horse Breeding
In Five States All Stations
Used for Public Service
of Pure Breeding.

Prepared by the United States Department
of Agriculture)
An improvement In the quality OF
stations and jacks licensed to stand
for public service, but a decline in
their numbers compared with pre-
vious years, are shown In report on
the housekeeping situation. just is
sued by the United States Depart
ment Of Agriculture. The informa-
ton, compiled by j. o. Williams and
s. r. Speelman of the bureau of ami
NAL industry. is based ON the latest
records obtained from the secretaries
Of stallion enrolment boards of the
various states. The report shows that
more than 20 per cent of the stations
standing for public service during the
breeding season of 1928. were pure
BREEDS In FIVE states-Indiana, Michi-
gan, Montana. Pennsylvania and West
Virginia-all the stations kept for
public service were Of pure breeding.
A summary of jack registration shows
that nearly IS per cent of jacks that
were registered for public service were
pure bred. The figures for both stall
lions and jacks show approximately
one per cent increase in pure breds
over the, previous year.
Decline In Numbers.
In numbers, however, stations reg
istered in 20 states from which com
parable figures were available, totaled
1880 for 1923, as against 18,400 for
1922. a decline of 1,070 or SIS per cent.
During the same time jacks declined
from 1883 to ABA loss of 544 in
sixteen comparable states. The fig
ures given show the same general
trend as the departments estimates
Of the total number of horses and
mules on farms in the United States
at the beginning of 1928 and 1924.
Both of these classes of animals show
a decline in numbers.
Production Behind Death Rate.
Production of horses and mules is
still behind the death rate" the de-
partment specialists assert, although
there is no doubt surplus of horses
which cannot be marketed profitably,
there is an actual shortage Of animals
of the heavy draft type. high-class
wagon horses. and good saddle horses.
Reports indicate brisk market de-
mand for animals of these classes,
and ready sale at good prices" It is
noteworthy from the report that the
decline in the number Of public-sery-
Ice stations and jacks was greatest
in the scrub, grade, and cross-bred
classes, this condition being a favor
able Indication of a better class of
foals in the future. Four states-In-
diana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and
West virginia-licensed only pure
bred stations and jacks during 1922.
Iowa joined the ranks of states IL
censing only pure bred stations and
jacks by a law becoming effective
January i, 1924.
The complete report on stallion en-
rollment and the housekeeping stu
alton contains comments by secre-
taries of stallion enrolment boards in
various states statistical summaries
on the number and breeding Of jacks
and stations in states keeping suit
able records, names and addresses Of
state and national officials in charge
Of horse and mule breeding work, and
a list Of pedigree registry associations.
Copies of the report may be procured
on application to the United States
Department OF Agriculture. Washing
ton. D. G.