HORSE POWER ON THE FARM.

Otago Witness, Issue 4041, 25 August 1931, Page 12

HORSE POWER ON THE FARM.

Next month the Otago Horse Show will be held at Tahuna Park, when we may expect a renewal of confidence in this old-time fixture. Judging from the interest displayed at tlie present time in Australia, horses are going to play a big part in production during the next 10 years, both in the Commonwealth and in New Zealand. It is worth noting, too, that in England horse-power, although greatly displaced by mechanisation, still has its champions. Speaking at a dinner after the annual ploughing match at North Tuddenham, Norfolk, recently, Mr W. B. Taylor, M.P. for South-West Norfolk, said the institution of ploughing was almost as old as the world. If antiquity formed the hall-mark of a true aristocracy, then the ploughman had indeed a noble heritage. But he had little else in these days other than a past. The country, was passing through a grave economic crisis. Agriculture was facing a difficult voyage through stormy seas. “ The ploughmen of Britain,” continued Mr Taylor, “ hold the key to prosperity.

Farmer and farm worker must pool their brains and ideas to restore the ploughlands of Britain. Notwithstanding all the mechanisation, the ploughman will still be required. Coming as I do on both sides from a ploughman stock, I am determined to do all possible to win back the arable lands to the four-course rotation, with an economic return to both master and man.”

At Adelaide recently a catalogue of 15 Clydesdale stallions met with bidding reminiscent of years ago when the annual sales were a feature of the year. Two fine three-year-olds by the i imported sire Scottish Dignity made 165 guineas and 155 guineas respectively, a three-year-old colt by Craigie Masterstroke made 85 guineas, and a two-year-old colt, Bay Barron, CO guineas. Other colts made 45 to 1 0 guineas, clear evidence of the fact that the economic conditions have forced farmers to realise that horse traction is much more economical than the use of tractors. If farmers will stick to the horse, breed their requirements, and grow their own fodder hundreds of thousands of pounds that in the past have gone to America and other places will remain in the country. Several sires were purchased at the sale at Adelaide for distribution among the farmers of Western Australia under the Government subsidy scheme. It is interesting to note what a well-known horse dealer of Campbelltown writes: “It is certain that with a recovery of wheat prices horses will be dearer than we have ever seen them. South Australia is the cheapest market for horses by pounds a head, and with fodder at such low rates economy demands, that the more expensive motor transport shall be replaced by the horse.” He continues: “ There are a few heavy Clydesdale stallions in Victoria, but they are not for sale, even at prices ranging from £4OO to £6OO, and good heavy geldings are hard to buy at even £5O a head.”

Judging from a recent exchange, the great demand from all quarters for horses is causing serious concern amongst distributors of mechanical power, who foresee a marked decline in the use of such for many years to come. The feelings of suppliers of mechanical power can well be imagined, faced as they are with an enormous amount of money owing to them and little prospect of an early recovery M it. The feeling that one’s business is slipping is not one to be relished. It was the case with farmers who were horse breeders some 10 to 15 years ago. They then saw an industry which was so vital to the farming industry commence to decline through so many farmers neglecting the breeding and using of horses and adopting tractor power in the belief that such would solve some of their overhead expenses and so ensure a greater profit from their industry. Alas ! what false hopes they have proved. The mechanical age, short as it has been, has done much to destroy the agricultural industry. It does not pay to grow wheat to-day largely owing to .the wide use of mechanical power enabling the creation of surplus stocks and eliminating man and horse-power, which are both consumers of farm products, whilst tractors are not. The development of mechanical power on the farm has been such that in some countries the farmer who used horsepower was twitted for using what was considered an obsolete power, as it was but a short time when horses would be seen only in zoos. Those progressive (?) farmers have now to lie l n w. Users and advocates of horse usage were, however, undismayed by the change to mechanical power, as they realised that industry could not for long maintain such without a reaction in favour of the more inexpensive power unit—the horse. Most farmers, it 13 confidently believed, who kept rigidly to horse usage are in a more solvent state to-day than those who changed over They produced their own power and grew their own fodder, and, despite the fact that the growing of cereal crops is now practised on a comparatively small scale owing to the free use made nowadays of soluble, quick-acting fertilisers on grass lands, it is plainly evident that in Otago and Southland we must continue to grow fattening crops for our surplus lambs. Then, too, the growing of roots is of first-rate importance for winter feeding of stock. It is evident that horses must play a big part in agriculture if production is to be made at lower costs. Farmers now realise the fact that the horse is the most desirable power for their work, and it is probable that we shall witness in this country

a revival in the horse-breeding industry, with benefit to those who kept faith with the horse. The draught horse is no luxury on the farm. He is ready at all times for all work under all conditions, which is more than can be said of the tractor.