FRANCE. 249 



REMOUNT DEPOTS IN ALGERIA AND TUNIS. 



The operations of the remount service in Africa are in gen- 

 eral similar to those in France, and need no further description 

 in addition to what has been said. The depots supply the 

 mounted troops stationed in Africa with practically all their 

 horses and most of their mules, and send about 430 mules 

 each year for the train in France. This is only about one- 

 eighth of the total number of horses and mules bought each 

 year in France for the train. On the other hand, a few artil- 

 lery horses and mules are sent each year from France to 

 Africa. 



Specifications. — Horses purchased by the depots must 

 combine the qualities required for the army as regards dis- 

 tinction, strength of back, and sturdiness of frame, must be 

 of Arab, Barbary, or Arab-Barbary origin, whole or castrated, 

 exempt from blemishes, and with flowing tail, that is, with 

 the dock of the tail intact. Mares are not bought for troops. 

 The great majority of African troops are mounted on stallions 

 and a small percentage on geldings. 



Age Limits. — Not less than 4 and not more than 8 years. 

 It is understood by the stipulation that onlj^ horses complet- 

 ing their fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth year of age 

 in the current year will be admitted. Nevertheless, horses 

 of 4 years should be bought only when the supply of horses 

 of 5 years is not sufficient to meet the demand. In any case 

 they will not be admitted before the 1st of May in the year 

 in which they reach the age of 4. 



The same rules apply to the purchases of male and female 

 mules. In regard to mules for the colonies, however, the con- 

 ditions as to age and size may be modified by the minister. 



Height. — The height must be as follows: 



Hands. 



Horses for officers 14| and above. 



Troop horses for colonies (as Senegal, etc. ) 14 and above. 



Troop horses for Algeria : 



Spahis - 14i and above. 



Chasseurs d'Afrique 14^ and above. 



Mules : 



Pack 14 and above. 



Draft 14i and above. 



A tolerance of f-inch is allowed for animals of excellent 

 conformation. 



All the horses are sent, within twenty days, from the depots 

 to their destinations in bunches of from 10 to 20 from time to 



