274 REMOUNT SYSTEMS OF FOREIGN ARMIES. 



inspector of remounts, in making the distribution of the 

 horses at the depots, places the best mounts in the category 

 of officers' horses ("chargers"). This designation, however, 

 does not restrict the choice of the officer, who may select from 

 all the remount horses through the intermediary of a commis- 

 sion to approve the preference. If the horse assigned to an 

 ofiicer does not, in the first year of possession, answer the 

 requirements of the service, it may, upon the recommendation 

 of the commission, if sound and healthy, be exchanged for 

 another, generally of the same remount. As a rule such an 

 exchange is permitted only once. The regimental commander 

 may, for very particular reasons, authorize a second exchange. 

 With the exception of captains of the second class and lieu- 

 tenants of cavalry and horse artillery, all mounted officers 

 receive a special allowance with which they purchase horses 

 in the markets. 



The remount depots are all conducted in a similar manner. 

 A description of a few will be given. The depot of Preussisch- 

 Mark is situated in the province of East Prussia. It has an 

 area of 2,037 acres ; the stables have a capacity for 330 horses. 

 The average cost of the maintenance of a horse at this depot 

 for one year is $57.12. The cultivation of the land furnishes 

 the depot forage, oats, and hay, and also other grain, which is 

 sold. Cattle, donkeys, mules, etc., are also sold. In 1897 the 

 sales amounted to $22,230. The extra costs are compensated 

 for by the increase in value of the animals during their stay. 

 The stables consist of two buildings adjoining, having in 

 front a common yard. Hayracks are not used, although they 

 exist in all the stables. The hay and straw are placed on 

 the ground. The hayracks are believed to tire the loins of 

 the horse when he raises his head. The price paid for 3-year- 

 olds varies; it now averages $155.89. The average cost of 

 maintenance being $57.12, the l^-year-old costs the govern- 

 ment $213.01. In other depots the annual expense of mainte- 

 nance is less, so that the average cost of one of their horses 

 up to the time of his arrival in a cavalry regiment is reduced 

 to $207.28. 



The inspector general of the remount service designates the 

 horses for the different organizations in the month of June; 

 detachments are then sent by the organizaticms for them. To 

 care for 330 horses at the depot twelve stablemen with an 

 overseer and stable chief are employed ; each man cares for 



I 



