Farmers' Week in Agricultural College. 193 



and topography. Thus various classes of horses and mules are adapted 

 to various parts of the State. Some parts of the State are settled by 

 people of southern origin, while other sections are settled by natives of 

 the eastern, northern and corn belt states. Thus it may be seen that 

 a variety of influences have been at work in Missouri, developing dif- 

 ferent classes of horses in accordance with personal likes and dislikes, 

 and in accordance with the section of country in which they are located. 



The early settlers of Missouri made their homes along the lines of 

 transportation, namely, the navigable rivers, for there were very few 

 railroads in IMissouri at that early date. These early settlers came mostly 

 from Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia and other southern states. Later 

 many settlers came into Missouri from Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and other 

 states. The people from the various sections of country brought with 

 them a type and kind of horse which most efficiently served in their 

 native homes. In the case of the settlers from the south, it was the 

 lighter type of horse, the saddle horse and the harness horse and the 

 mule. The settlers from the east brought with them the larger type of 

 horse, which has since been developed into our modern drafter. 



Thus at an early date there could have been found within the 

 State of Missouri horses of many different classes. At the present time, 

 it will be noticed that in some sections of the State the harness and 

 saddle horses predominate, while in other sections the draft horse, but 

 almost without exception the Missouri mule is State-wide in his popu- 

 larity. There is, then, the possibility and foundation upon which the 

 State may develop into the greatest breeding State in the Union, pro- 

 ducing high class animals of each of the various classes, but the very fact 

 that such possibility exists and such foundation stock may be found 

 makes possible much mixing of types and breeds which is retrogression. 

 It is within the hands of the horse breeders of this State to handle this 

 situation profitably or with poor judgment. 



It is, in the opinion of the writer, practically certain that the de- 

 mand for good horses and mules of any class will continue indefinitely. 

 These horses and mules must be produced on the farms. Whether they are 

 to be produced on a few farms or on many farms, remains to be seen. The 

 greatest horse breeding countries of Europe are those in which a few 

 good individuals are produced each year, on every farm, rather than 

 where the business is concentrated into large breeding establishments. 

 The production of horses in this manner results in a goodly profit with- 

 ■ out the investment of great capital, hence it is adaptable to almost every 

 farm. 



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