190 PROFITABLE STOCK RAISING 



predicted that the horse industry was ruined. For 

 a time, indeed, it did loolt as if the business was 

 seriously impaired, but the bicycle had its day and 

 horsemen continued to prosper. With the advent 

 of the automobile in large numbers, the same pre- 

 diction was made, although in a half-hearted way, 

 for the bicycle era was still in mind. Although 

 automobiles have been sold in large numbers dur- 

 ing the last two years, it has not affected the price 

 of horses in the least. In fact, the advance in horse 

 values has been greater during that time than dur- 

 ing any previous period for a great many sea- 

 sons, so that the ordinary farmer, the stock raiser, 

 the breeder of pure-bred animals apparently has 

 nothing to fear. This is undoubtedly the opinion 

 of importers, for 1909 saw an unusually large num- 

 ber of horses brought over from the old country. 

 This record of 1909 was exceeded by the im- 

 portations of the following year. This shows 

 that breeders as well as importers and farmers have 

 implicit faith in the future of the horse industry. 

 There is money, and lots of it, to be made in horses 

 properly handled and the reward to the general 

 farmer who keeps all the way from three or four 

 to 15 and 20 mares is positively assured. He can 

 raise his colts at very small cost, because his mares 

 can be used for farm work most of the time, and 

 his feed, of course, is cheap. 



DRAFTERS ADAPTED TO FARMERS 



The breeds and types of horses to be raised on 

 the American farm will be determined largely by 

 the monetary consideration involved. Not many 

 horsemen are raising animals from a purely senti- 

 mental standpoint. A few wealthy breeders are 



