FRANCE. 251 



inscribed on tlie register of purchase. When, however, the 

 president himself considers that a horse is not acceptable the 

 animal is refused on his opinion alone. 



Before letting the seller know the amount of the average 

 price decided, the president asks him how much he expects 

 to get for his horse and communicates his reply to the other 

 members of the board. When the latter have decided, by a 

 last and rapid examination, that the seller's demand is in 

 agreement with or in excess of the first estimate, the president 

 asks each of the members whether he maintains or modifies 

 his estimate, and then finally fixes the average figure of the 

 board, which must be accepted or refused, without discussion 

 by the owner of the horse. Nevertheless the price demanded 

 by the seller must be considered as a maximum which shall 

 never be exceeded by the purchase board in fixing the sum 

 to be i^aid. The board should use great reserve in making 

 refusals, so as not to depreciate the value of the horse by 

 publicly pointing out what. are considered to be faults. The 

 board should confine itself to declaring that a horse is not 

 suitable for the service of the army, unless the refusal be 

 based on causes altogether apparent, such as faulty build, 

 insufficient or excessive age, etc. 



In the course of the operations, the president of the horse 

 board should neglect no opportunity of entering into relations 

 with the breeders and discussing with them all matters rela- 

 ting to the horse-raising industry of the district. 



When the price is accepted by the seller, it is proclaimed 

 in a loud voice by the president in presence of the public. 

 Exception is made, however, in the case of natives, so that 

 no offense may be given, in this connection, to the amour 

 propre of certain among them. 



A description of the horse is then taken, but this descrip- 

 tion must be verified by the commanding officer of the depot. 



At the end of each session held in the open air, the horses 

 bought are collected in the order in which they have been 

 received, and a serial number is lightly branded on the left 

 side of the neck of each. After the horse has reached the 

 depot, his number is branded on the near forehoof . Later 

 the number of the regiment and the initial of the arm are 

 branded on the off forehoof. 



In the colonies outside of Algeria and Tunis the remount 

 is effected by means of purchases in the colony if suitable 



