82 



ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPAETMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



continued. In view of the great use which is made of potatoes in 

 European countries, it appears that there is an opportunity in the 

 United States to utilize waste potatoes by feeding them to pigs, and 

 at the same time to increase the production of pork. 



The studies on the effects of cottonseed meal when fed to hogs 

 are being continued. 



PIG CLUBS. 



On June 30, 1916, there were over 21,000 members in the pig 

 clubs directed by the agents of this division. This is almost double 

 the number recorded January 1, 1916. The work of the pig clubs is 

 described in an article by Mr. W. F. Ward in the Department Year- 

 book for 1915. 



HORSE AND MULE INVESTIGATIONS. 



BREEDING AMEBICAN CABBIAGE HOBSES. 



Progress has attended the horse-breeding experiments, being con- 

 ducted in cooperation with the Colorado experiment station, where 

 a type of horse suitable for carriage use and general purposes is 

 being produced. Good results are noticed where inbreeding with 

 carefully selected individuals is being followed. Sixteen live foals 

 constitute the 1916 colt crop, the four best foals of which are the 

 result of mating the stallions Albion and Carnagie to half sisters. 

 The stallions Carmon, Wilmering, Albion, and Carnagie are being 

 used in the experiment, and are also being bred to outside mares. 

 Sixty per cent of the mares used in the experiment which were bred 

 in 1915 proved to be in foal. The stallions Defender and Highball 

 have been standing for public service at Carbondale and Montrose, 

 Colo., respectively, and were well patronized. 



As recommended by the board of survey, 18 animals were con- 

 demned as unsuitable co be retained for breeding purposes. The 

 mares Indiana and Belladonna and a weanling foal died during the 

 year. 



The following table shows the number of animals of various ages 

 in the stud on June 30, 1916: 



Horses in Colorado stud, June SO, 1916. 



Age. 



5 years old and over. 



4 years old 



3 years old 



2years old 



Yearlings 



Weanlings 



Total. 



Stallions. 



25 



Mares. 



23 

 4 

 4 



10 



S 

 8 



57 



Geldings. 



Total. 



28 

 4 

 7 

 14 

 15 

 16 



84 



Close observations are still being made on the effect of feeding 

 brood mares on alfalfa hay during the winter and pasturing them on 

 alfalfa during the summer. No ill effects have as yet been noticed 

 where this system of feeding is carried on judiciously. 



