Annual Meeting 1097 



general horses of mucli farm usefulness. If that policy of breed- 

 ing Avere adopted by the farmers in the course of a few years the 

 Government would be able to secure enough young horses of a 

 proper type to satisfy its peace requirements." 



The following gives a notion of what is now demanded of the 

 service horse owned by officers : 



" Suitable mount (charger) as published in General Orders 

 No. 125, War Department, 1908, is hereby interpreted to mean a 

 horse with a minimum height of fifteen hands, two inches, and 

 with a minimum weight of 1,000 pounds. The horse should be of 

 good appearance and of such breeding and substance as will enable 

 him to carry his owner over jumps of reasonable stiffness, includ- 

 ing hurdles, ditches, fences, and other obstacles simulating those 

 which ordinarily would be met in going 'cross country. 



" If most of our valuable studs be shipped abroad it is clear 

 that instead of an improvement there will be a retrogression dur- 

 ing the coming years. That is a phase of the horse question which 

 especially causes anxiety to the War Department. 



" The War Department is keenly interested in the proposition 

 of the Agricultural Department to have Congress enact a law 

 whereby superior sires may be placed throughout the country in 

 suitable districts. By this means farmers and breeders will be 

 able to secure the services of high-grade animals at most reason- 

 able rates, and there wnll be produced over the country young 

 horses for valuable remounts. This policy is simply carrying out 

 what has been recognized in practically all old countries as a 

 business measure and a necessity. 



" If careful selections were made of both sires and dams of 

 thoroughbred animals as regards substance, size, blood lines and 

 temperament, leaving wholly aside the racing question, it is be- 

 lieved that within a reasonably few generations a horse highly 

 useful for practically all cavalry ends would result. It would 

 also be an animal of general utility purposes. 



" Cavalry work of the future will more than ever require long, 

 hard service, and at times fast going. Cold-blooded horses are not 

 up to the latter. Wliat is said of the cavalry horse, in a large 

 measure, applies to that of the artillery." 



Other letters were received from Gen. John B, Castleman, 



