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NATIONAL BREEDING BUREAU AT WORK. Important Task of Improving Army Horses Taken Up by Government in Earnest. New York, November S. Footprint and Vestibule, sons of Itock Sand, presented by August Delmont to the War Department for breeding purposes, have been shipped from Belmont Park to Front Royal, Warren County, Virginia. It. G. Hollingsworth, veterinarian of the United States Quartermasters Department, supervised the shipment. The horses destined to improve the breed of military horses were quite tractable when loaded into the big private horse car. They have been constantly shipped from earl v spring until fall while racing was under way at Baltimore and on the Canadian courses, consequently their experience was nothing new, and both walked into the stalls as quietly as if being led into their regular stable quarters. It was Mr. Belmonts intention to donate Tipsand to the governments breeding bureau, but he finally decided upon Vestibule. The chairman of the Jockey Club has taken a decided interest in the project, and as Vestibule possesses superior qualities that point to a successful career in the stud, he became the selection. Taking Individuality, blood lines and racing performances into consideration. Vestibule Is the better of the pair. It would indeed be difficult to produce a better type for this particular object. Dr. Hollingsworth, who is attached to the remount depot at Front Royal, was deeply impressed with Footprint and Vestibule when he looked them over in the Belmont private enclosure prior to their departure for their new home. Henry of Navarre and Octagon, both gifts from Mr. Belmont to the government, are at Front Royal. They have been mated with thirty odd mares each, and Dr. Hollingsworth says that tests show a remarkable percentage of matrons In foal. The number of mares in the establishment at present totals seventy-five. Three Kentucky-bred gaited horses are doing stud duty in addition to the above-named thoroughbreds. Representatives of the government hnve visited the breeding farms of Kentucky, Tennessee, Maryland, Virginia. New York and New Jersey to secure suitable broodmares for the Virginia remount station. It is planned to increase the broodmares to 500. Capt. C. H. Conrad, Jr., is in charge of the Front Royal depot. Captain Conrad was chosen for remount service owing to his proficiency as a horseman. He is a typical cavalryman, born and raised in the west, and has been with horses practically all his life. Captain Conrad is a son of the late Major Conrad, who died on his way hack from Cuba. Captain Conrad graduated from West Point in the early nineties, and he has a brother William who also is an officer in the United States Army. With this efficient officer at the head of the government breeding bureau it is an assured fact that the military horse of America will eventually be the equal if not the superior Of those owned by other nations. An officer who has made a study of the army horse throughout the world states that Italy is foremost in this respect. The French republic, German and Austrian empires and the British kingdom have paid special .regard to the maintenance of breeding establishments in which were placed thoroughbred sires for a long period. The result is that these governments are In possession of military horses of an exceedingly high order. The United States bureau located at Front Royal comprises a tract of 5,500 acres. Two hundred thousand dollars has been appropriated for its purchase. A hospital for animals is now under construction and will he completed in February. It will cost 5,000, Every convenience and appliance known to the veterinarian for the treatment of horses will be included in the equipment of the institution. Iu addition to the general care and training of the horse for military purposes, It Is proposed to have a running track, where speed and endurance can be noted. A number of stiff obstacles of regulation height and breadth will form what may be termed a steeplechase course. The necessity of a track and cross-country field became apparent to the officers who participated iii the race meetings given under the auspices of the National Steoplechaso and Hunt Association at Elkins Park, Brookllne, Belmont Park Terminal and Plmllco during the past couple of seasons. Officials of the government in Washington are sai"uine that the earnest endeavors of the cavalry officers will bear fruit in the near future. The Virginia bureau is particularly fortunate in securing for sires such prominent thoroughbreds as nenry of Navarre, Octagon, Footprint and Vestibule. Besides making good on the turf they trace to families notable for producing racing and breeding qualities of the highest degree. Rock Sand, sire of the latter two, Is the greatest horse that ever crossed the Atlantic to this country and the maternal side could not be improved upon regardless of cost. The question of breeding has been paramount in Mr. Belmonts mind as it was in his fathers. When the original August Belmont instituted his stud In the Blue Grass state he gathered together representatives of tho best blood to be obtained in France, England and in this country. His soil followed on the lines laid out by the father and domiciled in the famous Nursery Stud today are horses taking rank with tlioso produced by the greatest studs of Europe. Two other remote stations maintained by this government are at Fort Reno. Oklahoma, and Fort Riley. Kansas. The soldier horsemen located at these distant points have been insistent for the improvement of their mounts and a requisition will be drawn shortly for several thoroughbred stallions to meet the demand.
