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IMPROVING EQUINE STOCK IN KENTUCKY. Work of the Breeding Bureau As Shown in the Official Report of the State University. Lexington, Ky., January 27.— The eleven thoroughbred stallions owned by the Kentucky Racing Commission and controlled by the University of Kentucky, covered 311 mares in eleven counties last spring, according to J. J. Hooper, professor of animal husbandry at the university, who has charge of the breeding bureau. The stallions averaged 1,080 pounds in weight and sixteen hands in height. Since they have gone to their different homes they have increased in weight considerably Bad will probably average now at least 1,808 pounds. Some of them weigh over 1.150 pounds. Professor Hoopers statement follows: "Samson, at Edmonton, covered thirty mares: John W. Chester, at Williamsburg, twenty -six ; Luke, at laducah, twenty-eight; Rusy. at Hindataa, fifty-four; English Lad. at Wickliffe, fifty -six; lolar-ine. at Island City, twenty -seven; Mirzer, at Tyner. elerea; Mad River, at Tompkinsville, for If eight; Milan, at I.ewisport. fourteen: Magazine, at London, ten, and Ivan Gardner, at Henderson, seventeen mires. A total of 311 nii-res. "In placing these bar ate we were careful to select localities where there is a need of improving the light horse stock. It would be a waste of time to place a thoroughbred stallion in districts whore the people are interested solely in draft horses. In certain districts, like that about Henderson, the fanners hare already learned that there is a fine market for half bred horses. They have sold high-priced hunters from that locality during the past few years. Offers Desired Blood. "Down at Wickliffe below Cairo the farmers appreciate the fact that their horse stock must have an infusion of blood that will give them more flinty bone and denser feet, because of the fact that the land is low and wet in some parts of that country. In the mountainous part of Kentucky we find that Rusy. in Knott County, did an unusual amount of service in improving the horse stock by covering fifty-four mares. "The horse attack of that district has suffered somewhat from a lack of pure-bred sires. There is only one registered horse in that county. Tin- people there need a light-footed, active riding horae that can climb over the mountains with ease. They have taken great interest in this work, as is evidenced by the service performed by Rusy. Be is staining at a service fee of , which is reasonable, and the people appreciate the Nantlneaa of tin fee. "Mih.n was transferred from Lewisport recently to Manila, near Louisa. Ky. In that hilly section of the country it is assumed that he will meet with the same favor that Rusy did at Hindman. During the year Magaziie- died and a new horse, Hasson. that measured sixteen hands, one-half inch, and that tipped the scales at 1.050 pounds in racing form. was purchased and consigned to the Stearns Lumber company in southern Kentucky. Prizes for Colts. "A week ago the Kentucky Racing Commission appropriated the sum ol 80 for colt premiums with the idea that .0 will be appropriated for each horse. A colt show will be held in the county seat or at the county fair in tin- district where the horse is stan ding. All of the suckling colts sjred by one of the horses will be brought to the county seat and exhibited for the premiums. Twenty-five dollars wil be- given to the first premium colt, 5 to the second and 0 to the third one. ".Next rear premiums will be offered by the commission at tin- Kentucky State Fair for the best yearling cedts and fillies sired by the thoroughbred stallions. These premiums will probably be hand-BBBM and will create great interest among these who own colts that have been sired by these splendid stallions. We have- no doubt that as soon as the colts nre foaled this spring that it will be so evident that these colt* are better than the average run that then- will be a great demand far the service -: of thoroughbreel stallions in Kentucky. Then it is anticipated that Ihe number of stallions will be greatly augmented by the ptaiiheaa of more large, useful sires."
