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Pl I GOVERNMENT SEEKS SOME INFORMATION. Btirciuuof Animal Industry Asks for Figures ns to Cost of Raising Thoroughbreds. The Bureau of Animal Industry In the United States Department of Agriculture Is seeking information as to he cost of breeding and raising thoroughbreds for the market or the track, with an Idea of encouraging farmers who own light mares to benellt by mating them with thoroughbreds if it is found that the cost be not too great. The following is a letter to John E. Madden and his answer on the subject: Washington, D. C, September 25, 1906. Mr. John E. Madden, Hamburg Place, Lexington, Ky.: Dear Sir As you are probably aware I am collect-, ing .information concerning the comparative cost of raising horses for the market and for the racetrack, this information -will 1m based on the statements of reliable breeders, and will, as for as possible, enow the relative cost of raising roadsters, carriage Jiorses, saddlers, standardbreds and thoroughbreds. I -would be greatly obliged if you could furnish me -with a statement of the cost, of raising a raee-horse up to the time he is placed In training, as Bhown by your experience. This information is asked for simply because there is a deartli of it in our horse literature. The Department does not oppose the breeding of horses for racing purposes, but indeed believes that where farmers have light mares much lencfit -can be derived by the use of sound standardised and thoroughbred sires of good conformation, size, quality and action. What we wish to know is whether such farmers should develop the offspring of such matings for the general market or for the racetrack. Awaiting an early reply, I am Very truly yours, GEORGE- M. ROMMEL, Animal Husbandman. Sheepshead Bay, L. I., October 10, 190G. Mr. George M. Rommel, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C: Dear Sir In reply to your letter of September 25, not. liaving my books to refer to, I cannot possibly furnish you witli all the details you may desire, but the following statement of cost of raising a thor oughbred to the age of two years, at Hamburg Place, is fairly correct: First year 50 Second-year .., 1X Keep of mare 50 Interest on cost of mare , and allowance for barren years 50 Total 50 My broodmares are select and consequently high-priced. Skilled labor only is employed, and costly buildings used for shelter. The average farmer should be able to raise thoroughbreds for about .00 less than above figures, and I add a statement which may be useful in furnishing the information you seek: Pasture at a month .$ 16 Grain with pasture at 10 cts. a day 24 Cost of wintering, at a month 66 Estimate for stallion service, keep of mare and labor 50 Total .. 56 Actual cost in feed and pasture should not exceed .00. There is so much latitude In the price of slallion fees say from a free service to .00 that it is difficult to make a correct estimate of this item. Many farmers could use. their broodmares aud so offset cost of keep. An average price for a broodmare might be put at 00. Where one or two marcs are kept no extra laltor is hired, and I think 0 would cover all expenses beyond the above .00. The demand for hunting and steeplechase -horses is very much on the increase, and the farmer is the man to supply this want in breeding a good type of thoroughbred. Would call your attention to a sale of broodmares. In 1903, being overstocked at Hamburg Place, I disposed of thirty-eight head, which brought a total of 4,020, an average price of a little over 340 per head. In 1904, I disposed of forty-two head, which brought 1,595, an average price of 70 per head. Seventy-five per cent, of these mares were in fool. Many foals the mares were carrying sold at public auction, while yearilngs, at from 00 to ,200. Broodmares have not been bringing their value during the past few years. Farmers who are struggling to make a living from the raising of crops, could with but little extra expense, keep a few broodmares and realize handsomely from the produce. In 1905, the fifty-five yearlings of Hamburg Place, at public auction, sold at an average price of ,000 per head. Yours very truly, JOHN E. MADDEN, Hamburg Place, Lexington, Ky.
