Edition Bobbett1. Texts by Elizabeth F. Bobbett: 1.1.3. Correspondence, Letters to newspapers

1939 Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Wicklow People, 11.02.1939

Horse Breeding Industry

Some few weeks ago I read in the Farmers’ Gazette a short outline of a new scheme to encourage breeding of high-class Hunters in Eire. This scheme emanated from the result of the Commission set up some time ago to enquire into the Horse Breeding Industry. It may be interesting to recall, that some fifteen years ago a Committee of Ladies and Gentlemen who were very prominent and successful in the Horse breeding Industry, had an excellent scheme for the improvement of Hunter Breeding, and started the Irish Hunter Stud Book Society, and awarded Silver Cups at many of the County Shows for the best Hunter Brood Mare duly registered in the Irish Hunter Stud Book.

Having made very good progress, it was thought advisable to seek an interview with the Minister for Agriculture and put the scheme before him as it was a National Industry, and it could not be expected of a small Committee to finance a National Scheme. Some members of the Executive of the Society had an interview with the late Mr. Patrick Hogan in 1928 (late Minister for Agriculture) and explained fully the position of the Horse Breeding Industry, and sought his assistance to further the scheme already in force by the Irish Hunter Stud Book Society. They pointed out to Mr. Hogan, that they had set up a Stud Book of approved Hunter Sires and Mares, had given prizes for Mares at local Shows, and had obtained recognition from Foreign Countries for the export of their Stud Book Produce. The Minister for Agriculture asked a good many questions and stated he would give it his sympathetic consideration, (this seems to be a hereditary phrase for Ministers of Agriculture). The Minister’s reply was a refusal. As it was not feasible for a small Committee, no matter how very good their intentions were, to finance a scheme for the benefit of the country without Government assistance, the Society had to be wound up. That a similar scheme is now advocated by men of practical experience in the Horse Breeding Commission, proves the necessity for a Council of Agriculture who would advise the Department on all matters relating to agriculture.

It is the object of the Irish Farmers’ Federation to supply such a Council to act in a consultative and advisory capacity, and maintain direct contact with the Minister for Agriculture.

Elizabeth F. Bobbett, General Secretary Irish Farmers’ Federation.

About the digital edition

This volume of Elizabeth F. Bobbett’s writings and speeches is divided into four parts. The first section comprises 321 texts written by her. The second part contains 150 speeches and statements by Bobbett, most of which were published in newspapers. Part 3 contains 727 texts written about Bobbett by contemporaries of her or addressed to her. Finally, Part 4 is a collection of 50 source texts that are important for understanding Elizabeth F. Bobbett’s activism. Parts 3 and 4 will be made available online in March 2027.

Suggested citation

Elizabeth Bobbett: Letter to the Wicklow People, 11.02.1939, in: Peter Moser (ed.), In her own Words. The Writings of Elizabeth F. Bobbett (1898-1971). Farmer, Feminist and Public Figure, Bern, 2026, https://www.histoirerurale.ch/editions/pages/bobbett/1939-02-11-363.html, consulted on .

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