1938: Horses And Mules

The number of horses on farms in the United States has declined steadily from the peak of 21,431,000 head in 1915 and, on Jan. 1, 1939, totaled only 10,800,000 head. This decline in numbers has been accompanied by a decline in value per head. The average farm value on Jan. 1, 1939 — $84.40 per horse — contrasted with $105.85 the average during the five years 1910-14.

The decline in horse numbers has resulted from the rapid improvements in agricultural machinery, particularly the tractor, and the resulting mechanization of farming.

Iowa led in numbers of horses on farms on Jan. 1, 1939, with 783,000 head, followed by Texas with 679,000; Minnesota, 662,000; Illinois, 661,000; Missouri, 524,000 head.

Changes in mule numbers have followed a similar pattern except that the peak number on farms — 5,918,000 head — was not reached until 1925. Since then numbers have declined steadily and, on Jan. 1, 1939, were only 4,382,000 head.

Mules average higher in value per head than horses. Farm value per head has ranged from $148.00 in 1920 down to $60.00 in 1932, and back to the $117.72 of Jan. 1, 1939.

Approximately 80 per cent of the mules are located in the Southern States where they are used primarily in the cultivation of cotton. Texas leading in number of mules with 687,000 head on farms, Jan. 1, 1939; followed by Mississippi with 361,000; Georgia with 337,000; Alabama with 316,000; and North Carolina with 310,000 head. In the actual breeding and raising of mules, however. Missouri is easily the leading state with 219,000 head on farms Jan. 1, 1939.