478 Improvement of Live Stock in Ireland, [nov., 



The Government efforts to encourage horse-breeding in 



Ireland date from 1888, when it was decided to make an 



annual grant of ;^5,ooo for the improve- 



Improvement of ^ent of horses and cattle in Ireland. The 

 Live Stock in , . . ^ ^. r ^ 



Ireland. admmistration or this sum was entrusted to 



the Royal Dublin Society, who allocated 

 ,£3,200 for horse-breeding, which was entirely devoted to the 

 provision of premiums for thoroughbred stallions. These were 

 distributed through the country in accordance with local require- 

 ments. This system was continued from 1888 to 1891, when the 

 payment of premiums was discontinued and the money devoted 

 to the free or assisted nomination of mares. The system of 

 nominating mares continued from 1892 to 1900 inclusive. In 

 connection with this system of free nomination there was formed 

 a register of thoroughbred stallions serving in Ireland. In 1900 

 the Department of Agriculture took over this duty, and the 

 lines laid down by the Royal Dublin Society were followed 

 The Department were guided by a committee of experts — the 

 Horse-breeding Committee — representing the various horse- 

 breeding interests in Ireland, while application is made to the 

 County Councils every year for suggestions as to future work. 



The main objects of the present scheme are to encourage 

 the improvement of horse-breeding in Ireland (i) by inducing 

 stallion owners to keep suitable and sound sires of a high degree 

 of excellence, and (2) by inducing farmers to retain their best 

 young mares for breeding purposes. When arranging the 

 details of the scheme to suit local requirements each County 

 Committee is expected to secure to small farmers as large a 

 share of the resulting benefits as is practicable. The sum to be 

 provided by the Department under this scheme in each county 

 depends upon (i) the amount provided in aid of the scheme by 

 local authorities, (2) the special needs of the locality, and (3) the 

 proportion which the amount of the local contribution bears to 

 the genuine capacity of the locality to contribute. The County 

 Committee, who must be approved by the Department, appoint 

 a secretary who prepares all details of scheme for the County, 

 and an executive sub-committee. The joint fund available 

 under this scheme is applied for the nomination of mares after 

 expenses of administration are defrayed. 



