THE SITUATION IN FRANCE. 69 



more fully appear when we come to treat our subject under condi- 

 tions existing in Belgium. I have said that the conditions here were 

 much the same as in England, though this country produces a large 

 number of coach horses that each year find their way into English 

 markets. That France has long done all she could to produce a coach 

 horse, from the absolute necessity of mounting her army, can not be 

 denied, but that she has made sufficient progress to supply other 

 nations with coach horses, or even meet the demands in her own 

 country, will hardly be claimed. 



From information obtained from the agricultural department of 

 France I learn that the entire number of American horses sold in the 

 Republic in 1897 was not far from 6,000, but I am unable to learn 

 officially what prices they brought. 



For much of the information obtained relative to the sale of Ameri- 

 can horses in France I am indebted to Mr. Eugene Vidal, who is one 

 of the oldest and largest horse merchants in Paris. To one of his 

 private carriages he drives a large American horse, and he handles 

 more horses from the United States than any other merchant in the 

 city of Paris. He sells each year about 5,000 horses in all and is 

 thoroughly posted. In 1895 he handled 2,000 American horses, but 

 the quality was very bad and they became so unpopular that in 1896 

 he only sold 500. Since then the quality of the horses sent him has 

 improved and the prices he receives for them have likewise increased. 

 He had in his stables about 100 head, mostly of a light type, being 

 horses that would weigh about 1,150 to 1,200 pounds, but rather toppy 

 and of good quality. These horses sell in Paris for about $200 to $250, 

 and are put to various uses. Some of the heavier and coarser ones go 

 on the omnibuses and the lighter ones into carriages if good enough. 

 If not, they are used in general run-about traps, unless heavy draft 

 horses, when they go into heavier wagons. The good draft horses 

 brought from America to France usually sell for about $200 each, but 

 the horses most in demand in Paris, as elsewhere, are coaching horses 

 from 5 to 6 years old, such as are represented by the cut on page 52, 

 and which sell readily at from $150 to $500, according to their style, 

 action, and quality. If they attain the distinction of high-class car- 

 riage horses, the price in Paris, as in London, is only governed within 

 reason by their quality and the size of the purchaser's purse. 



Mr. Vidal was asked: "From your experience in the horse business 

 and your knowledge of American horses, what would you advise the 

 American breeder to raise with a view to obtaining the best prices 

 for his horses in the markets of France?" 



"I would recommend," he replied, "that they raise draft horses, 

 not too large, but on short legs, compactly built, with clean bone and 

 good action, and first-class carriage horses, if possible. The latter 

 properly matured are very scarce, and there is hardly any limit to 

 the demand if they have size, quality, style, and action." 



