104 27TH REPORT. BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



The stallion depots (Landgestiite) are most important from a nu- 

 merical standpoint, and contained 3,315 stallions in 1907. These 

 stallions " make the circuit " from February to June, at fees ranging 

 from $1.19 to $4.76. 



The Prussian Government does not permit expense to stand in the 

 way of acquiring the services of a valuable stallion. Large sums 

 are appropriated annually for such purposes, and Derby winners are 

 bought if needed. The budget of 1907 for the purchase of horses 

 amounted to $440,000, with a special fund of $47,600. Among noted 

 English Thoroughbreds which the Prussian Government has bought 

 were the Derby winner of 1897, Galtee More, for which $66,640 was 

 paid, and Ard Patrick, the Derby winner of 1902, for which $100,000 

 was paid. 



FRANCE. 



The breeding system of the French Government is especially inter- 

 esting to an American on account of the large numbers of French 

 horses which have been exported to this country. Although the work 

 is done entirely by the Ministry of Agriculture, it is largely affected 

 by military considerations. The French Government has a breeding 

 farm at Pompadour of 1,122 acres where horses are bred, a sheep farm 

 of 619 acres in connection with the agricultural school at Grignon, 

 and the famous sheep farm at Rambouillet. Aside from these the 

 breeding work is done through the medium of the " haras " or central 

 studs, 22 in number, from which stallions are distributed throughout 

 the country. In 1906 the French Government owned and used for 

 breeding purposes 3,321 stallions, which covered 161,414 mares at an 

 average fee of $1.47. The breeds used were as follows : 



Thoroughbred 229 



Arab 100 



Anglo-Arabs - 234 



Half-blood (Demi-Sang) 2,208 



Draft horses__ 550 



Total _ 3,321 



The Government also encourages horse breeding by examining and 

 approving or disapproving privately owned stallions for breeding 

 purposes, by giving prizes at horse shows, encouraging racing, and 

 maintaining the studbook for Thoroughbreds and half-breds. Dur- 

 ing the year 1906 $1,718,129 was voted by the Chamber of Deputies 

 for the improvement of the breeds of domestic animals, but more 

 than twice this amount was spent, the balance being covered by the 

 receipts from race tracks and other sources. 



AUSTRIA - HUN GARY. 



The efforts of the Austro-Hungarian Government to improve the 

 condition of horse breeding and other forms of the live-stock indus- 



