606 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



farming that is capable of producing better returns than the raising of 

 draft horses. The average farm horse works practically one-third of the 

 time. Obviously it is poor economy to keep a strong gelding to work 

 only one day out of three. It is not desirable nor possible to do the 

 farm work with old or very cheap horses. The heavy brood mare of 

 good type will work one day out of three to pay for her feed and will 

 raise a colt for profit. Truly, it is a bit easier to work a team of well 

 broker geldings than it is to handle mares that have colts at the barn 

 or young horses that are not yet seasoned to hard work. As far as that 

 goes, it is easier to sit by the fire and read on a cold winter day than 

 to go out and feed the stock. If mere freedom from effort is what we 

 are seeking we should not work even a team of geldings. If rea- 

 sonable returns for our labor are what we want, then the brood mare 

 and her colts can supply them far more satisfactorily than the -gelding. 

 It is plain then, that a very large part of our working capital is in- 

 vested in horses. It is also evident that the dividends we are getting 

 from that capital could be much increased if they were invested in better 

 stallions and in more mares and fewer geldings. From the profit stand- 

 point the need of Iowa is not more horses, it is better horses. 



FEEDING DRAFT COLTS. 



BY WM. CROWNOVER. 



(Before Annual Meeting of the Iowa Draft Horse Breeders' Association.) 

 In my little talk tonight I do not intend to give you any special method 

 that might be given to some special colt fitted for some special show. I 

 know that the average farmer does not care for that and would not do it 

 if I told him how, and as I can say a few things that I feel ought to be 

 said in regard to breeding and management without interfering with 

 some one else's subject I don't think I will stick entirely to my text. I 

 just want to give you a little practical common sense talk. If I can im- 

 press upon you the importance of giving the colts plenty of feed every 

 day that is in sight in the oats bin and hay mow I and the colts both 

 will be pleased that you have been here. 



I heard Mr. Cownie in one of his lectures say that the best cross he 

 could give a hog was the corn crib. It may be as truly said of the colts 

 that the best cross they can have is the oats bin. I am sorry to see so 

 many farmers who seem to think that as soon as the foals are taken off the 

 mothers that they are able to take care of themselves, and will say, "Well 

 go and hunt up what you can find to eat now and make a horse." Very 

 frequently a colt is worth more when taken off the mother than they are 

 as yearlings when improperly fed. If we do not feed the colts good the 

 first year and make good yearlings we are sure to lose one-fourth to one 

 half the value at maturity. Show me a good feeder and I will show you a 

 good breeder, and a man that will pay $25 service fee for a good stallion. 

 Show me a man that thinks his grain of more value in the elevator than in 

 his stock and I will show you a man that will use a $6 scrub. Show me a 



