FRANCE. 269 



that she may produce eight colts, which is a heavy average, 

 $19.50 should be added to the value of each colt when sold. 

 Then comes the cost of maintenance of the mare during 

 gestation, Avhich is never less than $48.75, and the cost of 

 each colt during the three years that he is being maintained 

 by the raiser is at least $39 per year, so that the raiser can 

 not sell his 3-year-old colt for less than $185.25 without incur- 

 ring loss. 



It is estimated that the horse-raising interest presents annu- 

 ally 120,000 horses to the remount purchasing boards, although 

 only about 16,000 are accepted. 



Premium for Encouraging Horse Raising in Algeria. 

 Each year the appropriation bill for the army contains an 

 item of varying amount for this purpose; in 1901 it was 

 37,680 francs; in 1902, 74,780 francs. For 1902 there is also 

 an item of 30,300 francs for prizes for military horse races in 

 Algeria. (There is regularly voted 3,000 francs for prizes 

 for military horse races in France.) The sum for Algeria 

 was obtained from savings due to the jDresent low price of 

 mules in Algeria. 



The funds for premiums to breeders is divided among the 

 various districts of Algeria in proportion to their importance 

 in the matter of horse raising. In each district a commission 

 is appointed consisting of two oflBcers, a veterinarian, and two 

 civilians (one European and one native), which awards the 

 premiums. The premiums are in sums of 150, 100, and 50 

 francs, and are awarded to colts and fillies of 2 and 3 years 

 and brood mares in foal or shown with their get of that year, 

 the sires to be stallions belonging to the state or Arab, Bar- 

 bary, or Arab-Barbary stallions approved by the state. Mares 

 receive one-half the sum allotted to the district, colts and 

 fillies the other half. 



Owners must establish the pedigrees of the animals and 

 prove that they have owned them at least three months. 



