THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



359 



AN INTERESTING SIDE ATTRACTION TO THE 

 IRRIGATION CONGRESS. 



Horse Exhibit by the Palo Alto Stock Farm. 



BY W. C. JENKINS. 



A little incident took place during the annual ses- 

 sion of the Irrigation Congress at Boise, which was not 

 down on the program, but which was a surprise and also 

 a revelation to the two thousand visitors who were in the 

 city. This feature was the horse exhibit, made by the 

 Palo Alto Stock Farm of Boise, on the main streets of 

 the city. Preceded by the Columbia band, twenty-one 

 stallions of the finest blood in the world followed each 

 other along the street. It was a parade such as had 

 never been witnessed by any of the delegates and many 

 complimentary remarks were made regarding this un- 

 expected treat for the delegates to the Irrigation Con- 

 gress. 



stallion, having glossy jet black ears, mane and tail, that 

 was the able leader of a great drove of exceptionally 

 fine wild horses. This particular equine organization 

 was reported to have been seen many times, and, ac- 

 cording to these reports, it ranged over all the vast em- 

 pire bounded by the Missouri River, the Rocky Moun- 

 tains, northern Montana and southern Texas. Re- 

 peated attempts were said to have been made to capture 

 the large and beautiful leader of this active band, but 

 without success. 



It is not necessary to dwell upon the fictional ele- 

 ment of these old stories. The horses found in the West 

 until recent years were neither large nor beautiful, and 

 it was only when such business corporations as the Palo 

 Alto Stock Farm people and other individuals came to 

 the West that the horses were worthy of any special 

 notice. 



There is no business organization in the United 

 States that has contributed more toward the improve- 

 ment of the Western horse than the Palo Alto Stock 



Splendid Exhibit of Pure Bred Belgian, Percheron and French Coach Stallions by the Palo Alto Stock: Farm, Boise, Idaho. 



Mr. X. H. Thompson, manager of the Palo Alto 

 Stock Farm at Boise, is deserving of much credit from 

 the farmers of the West. To the old settlers who com- 

 pared these magnificent specimens of the horse with the 

 original free horses of the plains the sight was very 

 inspiring. It is only a few years since the small wiry 

 animals used in the West have given way to the blooded 

 stock, which has been prominent in Europe and the 

 East for many years. A mistaken notion regarding the 

 horses of the West prevailed for many years. Between 

 fifty and seventy years ago it was very generally believed 

 by the people of the East that upon the great plains 

 of the West there were multitudes of beautiful wild 

 horses. Certain books and many tales of travelers that 

 purported to deal with life and adventure on the plains, 

 and which contained grossly exaggerated accounts of 

 droves of these animals were responsible for these pop- 

 ular errors. In some instances the stories in the books 

 were supported by absurd pictures, in the foreground 

 of which large and high spirited horses were the con- 

 spicuous objects. One very interesting narrative, and 

 which was given wide circulation, told of a large white 



Farm of Boise, Idaho. This firm has also a large farm 

 and stables at Emmettsburg, Iowa. Mr. K. H. Thomp- 

 son is manager of the Western farm and stables. This 

 firm is recognized throughout the country as importers 

 and breeders of Percheron, Belgian and French Coach 

 stallions. From twenty-five to a hundred head of these 

 blooded animals are constantly kept on hand. The 

 Percheron and Belgian horses are the most popular 

 draft horses in the West, while among driving horses 

 the French Coach seems to be given the preference. 

 Some of the stallions imported by the Palo Alto Stock 

 Farm have sold for as high as $6,000 each. 



The unprecedented success of this company is due 

 to the excellent quality of their stock, combined with 

 careful conservative management, just and liberal treat- 

 ment of their customers and the perfect fulfillment of 

 every obligation. Stallions from the stables of the Palo 

 Alto Stock Farm have won prizes as follows : 



First prize, Minnesota State Fair, 1905 ; first prize 

 at the American Royal, 1905; first prize winners at the 

 Great Annual Show of France, 1905; first prize win- 



