EDITORIAL. 
21 
there is little deterioration in value. On the contrary, horses 
bought right, usually improve for a year or tWo, and it is not 
an uncommon experience to sell them at auction after completing 
a contract of perhaps two years’ duration for more than they 
cost when green. On an average, however, he states that horses, 
trucks and harness depreciate io per cent, a year, and that much 
is charged up against them on the books of the company. The 
type of horses used by this company weigh from 1,550 to 1,75° 
pounds. The above citation is not a fancy mind-picture, but are 
the conclusions arrived at as the result of a wide experience by 
a practical, reliable business man, held only by his interests; 
sentiment or prejudice playing no part whatever. And we give 
it to our readers as* encouraging evidence of the work-horse’s 
ability to “ hold his own ” against the auto-truck. Perhaps, too, 
these arguments may serve to influence a wavering client who 
is considering the advisability of replacing his horses by me¬ 
chanical devices. Encourage the breeding of horses in your dis¬ 
trict; they will find a ready market in the big cities. 
INCREASE RATHER THAN REDUCE CAVALRY 
SERVICE IN U. S. A. 
The action taken by the House, of Representatives to reduce 
the strength of the cavalry in the United States army by five 
regiments, or one-third of this arm of the service, is one of 
grave concern; especially at this time when the country in 
general has just awakened to the realization of the great scarcity 
of horses suitable for remounts; the troops of the National 
Guard in many of our States not being able to obtain suitable 
horses upon which to drill their men. This condition of affairs 
makes it imperative that the United States Army not only not 
reduce its cavalry, but increase it, so that in the event of war 
(for which a nation must always be prepared) enough trained 
cavalry men, mounted upon trained horses, would be available to 
move immediately and prevent a repetition of such a disaster as 
