Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 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 Akricuiturel
An improvement Ia the quality OF
stations and jacks licensed TO stand
for public service, but decline in
their numbers compared with pre-
vious years, are shown in a report on
the horse-breedlng situation. Just is
sued by the United States Depart
ment OF Agriculture. The informa-
ton, complied 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 10 per cent Of the stations
standing fogpubllc service during the
breeding season Of 1923, were pure
BREEDS In five states-lndlana, Miehl-
gan, Montana, PENNSYLVANIA and West
Vlrglnia-all the stations kept for
public service were Of pure breeding.
summary Of Jack registration shows
that nearly 65 per cent of jacks that
were registered for public service We're
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 1890 for
1922, Il decline Of 1910 or 5.s per cent
During the same time jacks declined
from ASS to 4.344 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 1923 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 ~ doubt a surplus of horses
which cannot be marketed probably,
there is an actual shortage Of animals
of the heavy draft type, high-class
wagon horses, and good saddle horses.
Reports Indicate a brisk market de-
mand for animals of these classes,
and ready sale at good prices" 1t Is
noteworthy from the report that the
decline in the number Of publlc-serv-
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 Yirginla-licensed only pure
bred stations and jacks during 1922
Iowa Joined the ranks of states H.
censlng only pure bred stations and
Jacks by a law becoming effective
january l, 1924.
The complete report on stallion en-
rOllment and the horse-breeding stu
alton contains comments by secre-
tarles 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 tint mule breeding work, and
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.