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COUNT LEHNDORFFS SUCCESSOR. Iu connection with the voluntary retirement of a high personage who has played an important part in the improvement of German horses and German racing. London Sporting Lifes "Special Commissioner" says of him and his successor: "The forthcoming retirement of Count Lehndorff is an event of considerable interest to English, as well as German, breeders. For twenty-four years he has had supreme control over the Prussian governments breeding studs. Under his guidance the organization for the supply of remounts for the German Army has reached a high state of perfection. The more one learns about the scheme, the more it commands ones admiration. There are many links In the chain which counects the troop or artillery horse with the English thoroughbred, but each one is beautifully welded, and fits into its place. The great fact is, however, that the scheme is founded on the thoroughbred. That is why Count Lehndorff was willing to give 00,000 for Ard Patrick; why Gal tee More was purchased from the Russians; why Americus, Merman, Red Prince II., Bill of the Play, Shilfa, French Fox, and many another stallion has been imported into Germany. The count has served his country well, and now that old age is creeping on he is entitled to shift the burden to the shoulders of a younger man. "Landstallmeister Burchard von Oettingcn, who for many years has been the director of the Royal Stud at Trakehnen, in East Prussia, has been appointed to succeed Count Lehndorff. When, two years ago, I reviewed in these columns the English translation of Herr von Oettingens remarkable book. Horse Breeding in Theory and Practice, I ventured to predict that the author was. In all probability, destined to obtain the honor which has now been conferred upon him. His knowledge and experience marked him out for promotion. He is a great investigator. Taking nothing for granted, he has applied his energies to the discovery of the truth about horse-breeding. The book to which I have referred was the outcome of labors extending over a period of twelve winters. It is crammed with facts facts from which we can all draw our own conclusions. Herr von Oettingen, of course, deduced theories of his own from the data he amassed. I believe I am correct in stating that he has since discarded some of the opinions he enunciated, in consequence, very largely, of the assimilation of the truths discovered by the disciples of Mendel. This readiness to move with the times is a strong trait in the character of Herr von Oettingen one which will assuredly enhance the value of his services to the Prussian government. "It may not be generally known that Herr von Oettingen is a naturalized German. He was born a subject of the Tsar. His knowledge of the Russian language has been of great service to him. Trakeh nen is situated close to the Polish frontier, and from time to time he has made long journeys over the Russian steppes. He It was who negotiated the purchase of Galtee More from the Russian government. At Trakehnen he had under his control about 450 half-bred mares. From these mares country stallions are bred. The stallions are distributed among the farmers throughout Germany. There are no fewer than 3,000 of them in the country. Many of them have been bred by the farmers themselves. One day a year is set apart in each district for the examination of colts likely to make stallions suitable for the breeding of remounts. It will in future be one of Herr von Oettingens duties to conduct these examinations. The animals he rejects will not be permitted to be used for the procreation of their species within the confines of the German Empire. By this drastic regulation the quality of the remounts is maintained. We have recently been adopting a revised form of the German scheme of nationl insurance. It seems to me that we might very well borrow also the German scheme of horse breeding. "When HeiT von Oettinger went to Trukehnen some twenty years ago he found that the colts destined to become stallions were allowed to pass their days in idleness in the paddocks. He quickly realized that this was a great mistake. They needed work to harden and strengthen them for their future life. He, therefore, decided to have them trained, and. when lit, they were tried in batches. The heat winners were subsequently raced against each other, and thus a process of selection was brought into being. There are now regularly constituted races for stallions at some of the German meetings. The horses are ridden by officers from the remount department, and the winners receive a prize in the shape of a cup. I merely cite these facts for the purpose of showing that the new chief is a man of ideas. The chances are that he will introduce many reforms into the administration of the government studs. "There is one very important matter that awaits his consideration. What action wilL he take with regard to the Graditz Stud, the director of which is Count Lehndorffs son? Hitherto the thoroughbreds from Graditz have opposed animals from the private studs in Germany on equal terms, and, as a rule, they have carried off the lions share of the big prizes. The private breeders have long complained of this policy. They contend that this is unfair competition, for, of course, Graditz has behind it unlimited funds. The administration retort that it is essential to subject the Graditz products to the race course test. Granted, say the breeders, but you need not take the prizes. It is a knotty problem. Herr von Oettingen, who was" formerly a captain in the artillery, is just turned sixty vears of age. He comes of a long-lived stock. His father, who died recently, was ninety years of age. I understand that we shall have the pleasure of seeing Count Lehifdorff once again at the Newmarket December Sales. His successor will relieve him on New Years Day."
