HORSE EFFICIENCY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19086, 3 August 1925, Page 14

HORSE EFFICIENCY.

TESTS IN AUSTRALIA. DEMONSTRATION OF POWER. "WONDERFUL MECHANISMS." One of the ways in which tho newlyformed Horse Association of New South Wales, possibly in close co-operation with . the Royal Agricultural Society, can prove to the public tho actual efficiency of the horse, is by the demonstration of its pulling power under known conditions. The well-known writer on physics of agriculture, Professor F. H. King, of Wisconsin, has said, "When animals arc viewed from the standpoint of machines they are wonderful mechanisms. . While they are like the steam engine in j requiring carbonaceous fuel, oxygen and water for use in developing energy, theso are made to combine in the animal body at a" much lower temperature than is possible in the steam engine, and a much smaller proportion of the fuel valuo is lost in the form of heat when work is being done," The further point of advantage is that on most Australian farms tho necessary food, or fuel material, is obtainable at nominal rates, chiefly the farmer's own labour, on the farm itself. The Average Draught Horse. While the average draught horso at normal working speeds generates energy at the rate ol the standard horse-power, used as a basis in mechanics, it is capablo of extrting tremendous increases in its amount of energy. It is this reserve available at a moment's notice which makes the horse so valuable. Much depends upon the weight of the animal, more upon. its build and stamina, and most of all, upon its courage and persistence. In various parts of tho United States pulling demonstrations are held annually, and prove a great attraction, especially to farmers. About 1500 people witnessed such a contest in the live stock pavilion of Wisconsin Agricultural College. The Department of Agricultural Engineering recently completed a dynamometer car to register the pull of draught teams. It was used for the first time in this contest, and was tho centre of great interest and discussion. Local users of draught horses, coal companies and teamsters were keenly interested in tho event. Of the 20 entries, four were in tho class for pairs under 30001b., and.l 6 in the class over 30001b. It took nearly two hours to work out tho teams in the latter class. The winning team was a pair of grade geldings nine years old, weighing 32231b. They pulled the dynamometer car in three trials 21ft., set at 25001b., and developed 18.74 horsepower. A team of grade Percheron geldings, weighing 34001b., occupied second place by pulling the dynamometer car 13ft. in three trials, set at 25001b., and developing 13.5 horse-power. The third team also comprised Percheron geldings. Class for Pairs. In the class for pairs under 30001b. the winding loam was a pair of black grade Percheron geldings, weighing 29801b. These drew the dynamometer car set for 21001b., the full 27JJt., and developed 16.68 horsj-power. The second place was occupied by a pair of Percheron mares; while the third honour in the lightweight diss vfas claimed by a pair of 6-yeur-old Percheron geldings. Thus of the six awards five went to animals of one breed, a yery notable performance. Writing on the results of these trials, the Breeders' Gazette says that the animals which made ihe best showing in each class wero- of well-balanced formation, stood with legs strongly placed under their bodies, were accustomed to pulling, and were driven by experienced teamsters. All the teams* which made the best showing pulled straight into the collar and kept low to tho ground. The horse-power developed in thcs« pulls demonstrated in a new way to spectators the unusual ability of the draught horse to exert great polling, power when put to a severe test for a short distancte.