46 



FOREIGN MARKETS FOR AMERICAN HORSES. 



The rapid increase in numbers since 1893 has had the effect, it is 

 alleged, of so discouraging the British farmer that he largely aban- 

 doned breeding. It will be remarked from these figures that while 

 the trade was increasing in size some effort was consistently made 

 to improve the quality of the horse obliged to compete with animals 

 of a higher grade— the average declared value of the horses imported 

 in 1891 being £19 18s. Id. ; the average declared value of the animals 

 imported in 1896 was £25 5s. 3d. 



During the last two years (1895-1896) the horses imported from the 

 United States and Canada together amounted to two-thirds of the 

 horses imported into Great Britain. For the reason that they are 

 both regarded as "American horses," only in rare instances is the 

 distinction between the United States and Canada, as a place of 

 origin, known to users. I include the figures for the Dominion of 

 Canada in my next table, as set forth by the board of trade. 



Imports from America, compared with total number imported. 



a The fact that the above table is made for calendar years, while the table of exports of horses 

 from the United States is made for fiscal years ending June 30, will explain the apparent dis- 

 crepancy between the figures contained in the two tables. 



It will be noticed that up to the close of 1895 Canada held first 

 place in the trade in "American" horses in Great Britain. This pre- 

 miership during the last three years was, however, only numerical, 

 the United States supplying horses of better grade, which of neces- 

 sity fetched better prices. This is shown by the figures — again those 

 of the board of trade : 



Comparative values, United States and Canadian horses. 



